PSA Peugeot Citroën CEO Jean-Martin Folz has committed the group to produce vehicles with stop-and-start technology, beginning as soon as next year.

Outlining the plans in an address at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show this morning, Jean Martin Folz, CEO of PSA Peugeot Citroën Group, explained that the Group will equip more than 50,000 Peugeot and Citroën vehicles with the system by the end of 2006 with further substantial growth expected from 2008.

Stop-and-start technology using combined starter/alternators can reduce fuel consumption by between 5 and 8 per cent, depending on the engine, with resultant savings in CO2 emissions and significant reduction in noise.

Outlining further technology developments, M. Folz said the Group would continue to introduce its paddle-shift SensoDrive gearbox on most models. PSA Peugeot Citroën aims to equip 650,000 vehicles with SensoDrive by the end of 2006, while another brand new electronically controlled six-speed compact gearbox, capable of both manual and automatic operation, will be gradually introduced from 2005 to mid-range Peugeot and Citroën vehicles, building up to 400,000 units per year.