PSA, Changan Automobile to Launch Pickup Truck

PSA Group and Changan Automobile Group are developing a one-ton pickup truck model to market globally by 2020.

PSA says the truck will ride on a new platform and be designed to meet global regulatory standards. The model will be produced at Changan’s factory in Ding Zhou. The project was launched in June as part of a joint effort set up six years ago to expand PSA’s line of upscale DS brand cars in China.

PSA notes that annual demand for light-duty pickup trucks totals some 2.5 million units worldwide and is growing at 5%. The company aims to increase its overall light commercial vehicle sales 30% next year and triple its overseas volume by 2021 compared with 2015 results.

PSA has only a narrow presence in the thriving light-duty pickup truck market today, notes Automotive News. The carmaker began selling the Peugeot Pick Up in the African market a year ago. That truck is made in Tunisia by Dongfeng Motor Corp., which owns 14% of PSA, as a rebadged version of the Dongfeng’s own Rich pickup.