Four million HDI units have already been built, but output is being stepped up to more than 10,000 a day as part of the French group's drive for innovation in areas of powertrain technology, company chief executive officer Jean-Martin Folz has revealed.

In a keynote speech at the Frankfurt motor show, Folz promised PSA will focus on engines that emit less than 120 grams of CO2 per kilometre, fit particulate filters to more mid-sized vehicles, increase the number of models with automated manual transmissions and introduce stop-start powertrain systems to cut fuel consumption along with airborne and noise pollution.

“Starting next year, we will gradually introduce stop-start in our product lines. Our forecast is that, by the end of 2006, more than 50,000 of our cars will have this equipment. We expect substantial growth in stop-start after 2008,” says Folz.

He adds that extending technological improvements to a wide range of models, rather than reserving them for high-end customers, is at the heart of the Peugeot and Citroen strategy.