• Plans to introduce fourth shift
• Up to 700 new jobs could be created

PSA Peugeot Citroën has announced that it is looking to step up production of its highly successful Peugeot 206 hatchback and new 206 SW derivative built at Ryton, near Coventry.

To satisfy current demand, production will need to increase to 230,000 vehicles next year - up 40,000 on 2001. To achieve this increase, the company will need to introduce a fourth shift at the plant and recruit an additional 700 employees.

This would strengthen PSA Peugeot Citroën’s position as one of the largest volume car producers in the UK - second only to Nissan in Sunderland. Last year 51% of total production was exported.

Ryton currently works on a three-shift basis, seven days a week.

Discussions with trade unions representing both manual and staff employees regarding these plans were announced today, and it is hoped that increased production could begin from January 2003.

The Peugeot 206 was Europe’s best selling vehicle in 2001, and is the most popular car in the UK for retail customers. Ryton is the only plant in the PSA Peugeot Citroën group to produce the 206 SW - a stylish new five-door model to be launched across Europe shortly.

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For more information please contact Andrew Didlick, Nigel Wells or David Fitzpatrick in the Peugeot Press Office on 024 7688 4212.

Editor’s notes:

Ryton Plant background information

• Total production in 2001 exceeded 190,000 units (187,797 in 2000).
• Number two manufacturer in the UK after Nissan.
• More 206s are made in the UK than any other car.
• 63% of vehicles exported in 1999, 58% in 2000, 51% in 2001.
• 500,000^th 206 produced in August 2001.
• 615,409 206s produced at Ryton, 1998 - March 2002.
• 279,942 206s sold in the UK (to March 2002) since launch in October 1998.
• Ryton is the sole producer of right-hand-drive 206s.
• Over 3,000 employees involved in 206 production.
• Peugeot’s success responsible for 17,000 jobs in the UK (directly and indirectly).
• 90 robots now in place and will increase in 2002.

Production history of Ryton Plant

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