Peugeot, Citroen and Renault last year combined to sell fewer than 600,000 vehicles in China — a tiny total in a market where Volkswagen Group and General Motors each sold more than 3 million units.

But PSA/Peugeot-Citroen is racing to introduce new products while Renault prepares to start local production. Soon, the French automakers will become forces to be reckoned with in China.