Citroen-Peugeot to decide on euro 700 million investment

The south-western region of Silesia has been identified by French Citroen-Peugeot as a likely location for the group's new Citroen car assembly plant though a final decision will not be reached until next year in France. Due to the region's automotive tradition and highly skilled workforce, the chances of the euro 700 million investment coming to Poland are high. "I would personally prefer to locate the plant in Poland as this would boost clients' confidence in our company. It is a market of 40 million people that offers highly qualified workers and a lot of good auto-industry-related companies. Silesia seems to be the ideal location," said the chairman of Citroen Polska, Marc Gueudin. With the investment in Silesia, Citroen-Peugeot would increase its market share in Poland to 5%. The new plant, to start operating in 2006, would produce 300,000 cars a year but it is not clear which models would be assembled there. (Puls Biznesu, p. 8) J.K.