French Automakers Staging A US Comeback - Any Words Of Advice To Guarantee Success?

As someone once said "if you want to make a small fortune in the US automobile market start with a large fortune!"

I imagine the "Comeback" to be a long, slow, drawn-out affair as they build out their dealer and support network, struggle with brand awareness and public perception.

In North America, the French aren't exactly known for their great luxury cars, great sports cars, great and highly reliable mid-market cars, high value and highly desired economy cars, etc. I believe it'll be a struggle for them, with no guarantees. And who knows? A decade from now, we might be pretty well where we are today, without a French automaker presence in North America, regardless if they make a go of it or not.

they would be better off sinking a boat in the mid-Atlantic with a few billion on board than executing this strategy

The French, however, are known for their comfortable suspension systems along with reasonable handling. I would emphasis this. However the basics.
1)Study carefully what your competition who already sell in the US are doing. What kind of products and are they "sized correctly".(EG-The Fiat 500 is sized too small, the 500L is ugly and unreliable).
2) Figure out a decent marketing strategy and exploit it as much as passible.
3) Have a good and knowledgeable sales and "service" department.
4) Make sure the quality is there as well as the reliability. Some things to take note of on this.
A)-Transmission and engine refinement
B)-A decent size and decent functional infotainment system.(Chrysler 9 speed tranny should not have come to the market)
C) Don't over price your products.

Is it April Fool's Day already?

Although I love the old Citroens to death (ie anything prior to 2000), my advise to them would be DON'T.

You just don't have the right automotive reputation (the old reliable image remains steadfast) and the cultural reputation is also not positive (arrogant, not supporting US in its numerous Mid East war campaigns, etc etc). You'll just be pouring scarce money down the tube. Concentrate on making headway in Europe and Middle East, strengthen your financial results, THEN think long and hard about the US market.

I meant "...old UNRELIABLE image ..."

French cars just need to stay in France.

Actually - all any French manufacturer needs to do to GUARANTEE Success in the USA is to BUY FCA. Even the French cannot ruin JEEP and RAM. Then they can spin off the rest of FCA and let it go Bankrupt - which it deserves.

Of course - they could use their own platforms to replace the Colt and 200 -
Actually - most French cars are extrememly comfortable to drive - especially Citroens. And with the "Chrysler" name on them - people will still think that they are imported from Detroit - after all - Detroit is a french word too.

I think the US is missing out some really good car & CUV designs from Europe. All these "techno" type designs are becoming very passe now that some many of the mainstream automakers are doing it.

It would be interesting to see how Renault can infiltrate the US auto market...would they take big help from their corporate partner Nissan or try to re-introduce themselves as a (seemingly) separate brand.

Fiat mistook & misused any positive reception they'd have in the US when they merged with Chrysler. As such, the Chrysler Group is struggling when it should be at least "keeping up" with the domestic competition. And Fiat as a brand hasn't really resonated with too many people in the US as well. We know Fiat is here, but what do they sell besides the few small cars?

Healthier brands have a dozen vehicles to choose from which range from sub-compacts to mid-size sedans & CUVs to large trucks. If you don't have variety, then you're just playing games.

Before you get all defensive, visit www.renault.fr or www.citroen.fr or www.peugeot.fr. to see for yourself the socialist junk that French automakers foist on their citizens and those of their former colonies (looking at you Cote D'Ivoire!)

All you will see, are crappy, sub-Camry's and sub-Hyundai's that no Americans will ever buy - EVER!

For that matter, if you want to have a good laugh, visit www.fiat.it and see what Merde the socialist Italians foist upon the locals in Italy. Shocking.

The Fiat site has like 10 micro-variations of the Fiat 500 and then a bunch of bizarre and redundant econ-box type cars with sliding minivan doors. Ugh!

Don't use a diesel from VAG, don't use Takata airbags, don't use GM ignition switches and most of all please don't use a CVT. Oh, and put away a billion dollars into the "NHTSA bully fund".

Tom is right...the only way to successfully come back to America is to buy a established player. Maybe their best option would be to wait until Tesla goes broke, buy it out, and then provide the oil-engined cars they will need to survive, but under the Tesla brand.

Hahahahahaha....