23 November, 2007 : More than a decade since its last beleaguered outing in India, the e56-billion PSA Peugeot Citroen, Europe's second largest car maker, is rethinking of entering the Indian market with its range of small cars and mid-segment sedans. According to automobile industry sources, the company is conducting a thorough study for various products in the 1.4-million Indian passengers vehicle market.

Peugeot is scouting for various options in India and has held negotiations with various automobile bodies like the Society of Indian Automobile Manufactures (SIAM), Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), and various component makers from southern India. The group, which has a 5.2% share of the global automobile market and controls 14% market share in Europe, has been looking at workable options in India.

The company will be present during the forthcoming Auto Expo to be held at New Delhi in January 2008 to take a close look and study the vibrant Indian automobile industry, but they will not be showcasing any products. The fact is that the India of today is quite different from what it was when Peugeot decided to call it a day. The biggest names in the global business like Volkswagen, Volvo, and Nissan are already here and others are in the queue.

Not just in developed countries, Peugeot has spilled its beans in countries like Iran, South Africa, and China in recent years. The French car maker comeback into the Indian market may prove to be a success. Time to tango! Peugeot’s joint venture with the age old Doshi family, the makers of Premier Padmini, in 1995 to make the Peugeot 309 range of vehicles in India.

Well… though the car was quite capable and suited to Indian conditions, Doshis couldn’t sustain the French friendship, the venture stint lasted less than three-years. The reasons were labour trouble, plant lockout, and shortage of kits. That was the end of mid-segment sedan Peugeot 309. The final nail in the coffin was a shutting down of the plant after a legal battle with the Indian partner Doshis. The company was among the earliest multinationals to enter the country in 1993-94 and the first to shut down in 1997.

Peugeot being a French carmaker has always been known for artistic styling and brilliant attention to detail. Its international lineup showcases the Peugeot 107 mini hatchback, and the 206 and 207 hatchbacks seem like possible prospects for India along with the 407 sedan.

All the Indian auto market can do is wait and maybe the time is near to see the rebirthing of the Peugeot in India.