PSA is still looking for a partner to work on the Hybrid Air technology

Last year, PSA unveiled an innovative hybrid system called Hybrid Air at its annual technology conference. Its main feature is that, instead of relying on an electric motor associated with batteries, it uses an air compressor to support the combustion engine. While this alternative is not as efficient as the typical hybrid systems on the market today, it entails a much lower outlay in production costs and is a much lighter system.

Since its presentation in 2013, PSA has been looking for a partner to provide financial support so that it can work on this project. The entry of Dongfeng into the shareholding of the French group seemed to indicate that the Chinese company was the most likely candidate to become that ally. However, the future of Hybrid Air still remains uncertain, since PSA’s executive committee did not give the green light at its last meeting earlier this week.

Although this technology was one of the possible areas of collaboration with Dongfeng, negotiations with PSA’s Asian partners on this matter have not yet produced the results the French group wanted. The situation therefore remains the same as it was more than a year ago, and Carlos Tavares, the group’s current chief executive, offers the same message as his predecessor, Philippe Varin.

Finding financial backing to develop Hybrid Air is even more important for the Portuguese executive. If PSA fails to find a way to make manufacturing this technology profitable, the forecast that it will reach production models in 2016 could end up not materialising. In any case, it is confirmed that the group will present two other prototypes equipped with Hybrid Air at the next Paris Motor Show.

Source | Les Echos