Ailing PSA Peugeot Citroen Group has just been granted temporary approval by the European Union for 1.2 billion euros (S$1.9 billion) of French-backed bonds. As part of the deal to obtain final approval, PSA will have to submit a restructuring plan within the next six months to show how the group and its bank unit (Banque PSA Finance) intend to return to profitability without state help.

"Now one needs to know what the commission will ask in terms of restructuring for the group and this remains unclear," said Pierre Bergeron, a credit analyst at Societe Generale in Paris. The temporary approval will allow the bank to pay back this year's maturities of 500 and 750 million euros in July and September respectively.

In early 2012, PSA Group and General Motors announced the creation of a global strategic alliance to co-develop engines and a global purchasing joint venture for the sourcing of components and other goods and services. The alliance is expected to contribute to cost savings for both car manufacturers.