General Motors and PSA Peugeot Citroen have confirmed an alliance which will see GM become the second largest shareholder in the French carmaker.

The long-term global strategic alliance will leverage the combined strengths and capabilities of the two companies, said GM's announcement, plus contribute to the profitability and competitiveness in Europe of both partners.

The partnership centres around the sharing of vehicle platforms and components plus the creation of a joint venture for annual spend of $125bn on commodities, components and other goods and services.

Each company will continue to market and sell its vehicles independently and on a competitive basis.

In connection with the alliance, PSA Peugeot Citroën is expected to raise around €1 billion through a capital increase with preferential subscription rights for shareholders of PSA Peugeot Citroën, underwritten by a syndicate of banks and including an investment from the Peugeot Family Group, as a sign of their confidence in the success of the alliance.

As part of the agreement, which includes no specific provision regarding the governance of PSA Peugeot Citroën, GM plans to acquire a 7% equity stake in PSA Peugeot Citroën, making it the second largest shareholder behind the Peugeot Family Group.

"This partnership brings tremendous opportunity for our two companies,” said Dan Akerson, GM chairman and chief executive.

"The alliance synergies, in addition to our independent plans, position GM for long-term sustainable profitability in Europe."

Philippe Varin, chairman of the managing board of PSA Peugeot Citroën, added: "This alliance is a tremendously exciting moment for both groups and this partnership is rich in its development potential.

"With the strong support of our historical shareholder and the arrival of a new and prestigious shareholder, the whole group is mobilized to reap the full benefit of this agreement."

Initially, GM and PSA Peugeot Citroën intend to focus on small and midsize passenger cars, MPVs and crossovers.

The companies will also consider developing a new common platform for low emission vehicles. The first vehicle on a common platform is expected to launch by 2016.

This alliance enhances but does not replace either company’s ongoing independent efforts to return their European operations to sustainable profitability, said the statement.

The purchasing cooperation defined in the agreement allows the companies to act as one global purchasing organization when it comes to sourcing commodities, components and services from suppliers, taking full advantage of the joint expertise, volume, platforms and standardized parts. Combining GM’s robust global processes and organizational structure with best practices from PSA Peugeot Citroën, will bring significant value and efficiencies to the purchasing operations at both companies.

Additionally, the alliance is exploring areas for further cooperation, such as integrated logistics and transportation. To this end, GM intends to establish a strategic, commercial cooperation with Gefco, an integrated logistics services company and subsidiary of PSA Peugeot Citroën, whereby Gefco would provide logistics services to GM in Europe and Russia.

The total synergies expected from the alliance are estimated at approximately $2 billion USD annually within about five years.

The synergies will largely coincide with new vehicle programs, with limited benefit expected in the first two years. It is expected the synergies will be shared about evenly between the two companies.

The alliance will be supervised by a global steering committee that includes an equal number of senior leader representatives from both companies.

Its implementation is subject to requisite regulatory approvals in certain jurisdictions as well as notification to the appropriate workers councils.