Few details have been announced of the car but PSA did confirm that it will be based on the EMP2 platform. It is also likely to be build on the Aircross concept shown last year at the Shanghai Motor Show.

The so-called ‘C84’ project forms part of a product strategy that will see four new models launched by the brand in less than 18 months, and will be manufactured alongside the future Peugeot 5008 and the Citroën E-Mehari.

With these three models, output at the plant will ultimately reach 100,000 vehicles per year compared with 60,000 currently.

PSA said Rennes was chosen over as a result of the performance measures taken by the plant and the commitments made to upgrade operations.

Carlos Tavares, chairman of the Managing Board of the PSA Group, said: “The decision to manufacture this new vehicle in Rennes shows that, when stakeholders are committed to working together to secure the future of a manufacturing plant, they can create the performance conditions necessary in a continuous efficiency improvement process.”