Flourishing in France

France’s diesel engine sector is in bullish mood following the announcement that major new investment flowing into the country from Germany and Japan.

‘France’s thriving automotive market has the second-highest percentage of diesel engines in Europe – 71 per cent of new cars registered are diesel-driven – making it a strategic location for engine-related research and investment,’ said Philippe Favre, President of Invest in France.

Recent investors in France include German automotive-equipment maker Robert Bosch, which will invest €65m in its Rodez factory in southern France from the end of 2007 to manufacture new-generation common-rail injectors.

Japanese automotive-parts maker Ibiden will also invest €16m in its Courtenay factory in central France to launch a third production line for diesel particulate filters (DPF) for diesel engines. The production line is expected to be operational by January 2009.

PSA Peugeot Citroën recently announced that it has now produced over 10 million vehicles equipped with HDi diesel engines. In

, HDi diesel engines are produced in the group’s factories in Trémery – the world's largest diesel engine facility – and in Douvrin as part of an agreement with Ford Motor Company.