Renault and PSA/Peugeot-Citroen are cutting production in French factories in response to a declining European sales outlook. Renault will shut their factory in Sandouville, northern France, for seven days in September to reflect poor sales of its upper-medium Laguna. The French carmaker may also be forced to suspend Laguna production for at least three days in October, a company spokeswoman told Automotive News Europe. Renault sold 59,500 Lagunas in the first half of 2008, which is far below the company’s initial forecasts, said Renault Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing Patrick Blain.
PSA, for their part, have announced plans to add an additional week to a scheduled July 28 – August 22 maintenance shutdown at its Mulhouse factory in eastern France. The additional production stoppage will allow the plant to adjust stock for weaker-than-expected demand, a spokesman said. The Mulhouse factory produces Citroen’s lower-medium C4 and Peugeot’s lower-medium 308 and small 206. Other site-specific production slowdowns may still be forthcoming at PSA.