Peugeot Citroen sales fall 9.8% in 1st half

Worldwide sales of PSA Peugeot Citroën fell 9.8% from January to June, to 1.46 million units. In comparison, the overall market grew 3%.
Falling sales underscore the fragile state of Europe's second-largest automotive group, which has struggled to reorganize the finances before few prospects of a significant improvement in the continent in the medium term.
With the worsening in its main markets, before a price war that shows no signs of cooling, the Peugeot continues to consume cash and does not expect to stop the departure of money before the end of 2014. The company reviews the options for the medium-term strategy, including one and a half year Alliance with General Motors, as well as a potential dilution of the share of group controller family, according to people close to the matter.
Excluding sales of vehicles partly assembled kits for Iran, which were suspended during the first quarter of 2012, due to stricter international sanctions deliveries retreated only 1.1%. The chronic weakness in Europe was virtually offset by performance in other parts of the world.
The 13% fall in vehicles marketed in Europe led the company to reduce the market share for cars and light commercial vehicles on the continent of 12.9 percent a year earlier to 12.2% in the first six months of this year.
Sales rose 33% in China, to 278 thousand units, while the market advanced 16%. The company reached 4% share in the country, approaching 5% goal established for 2015. Sales in Latin America rose by 20%, while the overall market grew 6%. Sales fell 22 percent in Russia, up from a 5.5% decline in the market.