Rumormill: PSA to build Bolloré's BlueCar/B0?
2008 Pininfarina B0 concept, the basis for the Bluecar - Click above for high-res image gallery
Since Pininfarina is going through some rough times,the French press is speculating about what Bolloré is going to do about manufacturing the BlueCar. According to Ouest-France, Bolloré could be negotiating with a French manufacturer to build the car or play a role in part of the car's production. The manufacturer could be PSA, a company that has a manufacturing facility in Rennes, very close where Bolloré's batteries are manufactured (in Ergué-Gaberic, France). PSA CEO Philippe Varin didn't confirm what will happen, although most local politicians are happily speculating about this possibility. Currently, the PSA Rennes facility is running at very low capacity, and assembling this car would seriously boost their production.
[Source: Ouest-France via Le Blog Auto]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Alan 1:04PM (10/04/2009)
Let's hope *someone* builds this beautiful thing!
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Tohe 3:14PM (10/04/2009)
It is ironic how a car as stunning as this (which people actually want to buy) has all these set backs while things as ugly as the Aztek have not problem making it to our roads. I expect Bollore to have or be working on a global strategy for the B0, as there is certainly great interest from around the globe.
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Throwback 4:33PM (10/04/2009)
It comes down to come automotive experience. Bollore is a battery maker, Pininfarina is a design firm. Teaming up with an established company is the best way to go. You can also set-up a distribution agreement. The question is does PSA see this car as a competitor?
pabs333 4:47PM (10/04/2009)
I would assume with the recent announcement and that
Pininfarina still have Volvos and various short run Italian cars left to make under contract and that Ballore specified dates that this is already a do a done deal which is great in some ways (we get a car sooner) but not so great in others.
Still, I've not heard from Pininfarina despite contacting them since the recent press release.
Unlike Nissan, this car could be released in Europe without the same mass infastructure that the leaf is needing because of the smaller land mass. The PSA feal could also open up other opertunities for sales/servicing etc as Pininfarina don't have a dealer network.
I'll keenly follow this but also secretly wish to hear something from
Pininfarina
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kert 3:11AM (10/05/2009)
Tata motors does NOT make the G-Wiz. G-Wiz is made by REVA ( yes, also an Indian company )
Nick From Montreal 5:15PM (10/04/2009)
On a side note, one of the linked article discusses the possibility of Tata Motors (makers of the G-Wiz) investing in Pininfarina to keep them afloat.
http://www.leblogauto.com/2009/08/tata-au-chevet-de-pininfarina.html
Understandably, the comments aren't exactly favorable at the prospect of Tata owning Jaguar, Land Rover and now Pininfarina. Euro-Invasion indeed.
Personally, I'm all for that if Tata is commited to electric cars while all the other European brands sit on their hands.
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Throwback 8:03PM (10/04/2009)
Every European brand has made concepts and have committed to building EVs. They all seem well ahead of Tata on this point.
kert 3:11AM (10/05/2009)
Posted that to the wrong comment:
Tata motors does NOT make the G-Wiz. G-Wiz is made by REVA ( yes, also an Indian company )
William 9:11PM (10/05/2009)
looks like things are really happening in France!
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