Key facts

1978

Acquisition: In August, PSA Peugeot Citroën takes over Chrysler Europe, made up of three automobile manufacturers-Chrysler France, Chrysler UK and Chrysler Spain-and several foreign distribution firms. As a result, PSA Peugeot Citroën becomes the leading European automaker.

Cooperation: with Fiat on the engineering and production of utility vehicles in a jointly-held company, SEVEL (Société Européenne de Véhicules Légers). Its production facility is based in Val di Sangro, Italy.

Launches: the Citroën Visa and the Simca Horizon.

The group's annual output: 2,488,600 vehicles