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Peugeot’s retail customers appear to be
making more considered, cost-based, ‘green’ decisions, according to its
latest Quarter 1 sales.
Sales of the popular 107 increased by
16% to 3,485 units from January to March with Peugeot’s smallest car
proving to be a cost effective motoring option for the savvy green
buyer, with its Band B 109gCO2/km low-emissions grouping.
New car buyers are generally becoming
even more environmentally aware. Peugeot customers appear to be
focussing on rising fuel costs in particular, as sales of diesel models
rose by 2.2% compared to Q1 last year.
A preference for diesel among corporate
drivers also helped increase Peugeot fleet sales by 2.9% in Q1 compared
with the same period in 2007, which was due to the expanding range
availability of the new 308. Combined 307 and 308 sales rose 11.5% to
6,803.
UK motorists are set for an injection
of new Peugeot vehicles in the coming months, with the soon to be
launched 308 GT THP 175, while the capacious 308 SW variant will extend
the range further, with the possibility of seven-seats and its appealing
Cielo panoramic glass roof feature, joining the range in June.
Despite a faltering economy, business
buyers are still buying new vans. Across the board, Peugeot sales were
up 4.1% to 4,744 units in Q1. The award-winning Peugeot Expert
performed particularly well with a 7% sales increase over 2007.
Commenting, Pierre Louis Colin,
Managing Director of Peugeot UK, said: “We are pleased with the
performance of our small and efficient vehicles, which address the
growing needs of our customers. Indeed we now have some 25 new cars,
including 107, 206, 207 and 308 models, that fall within Band B for cars
emitting 120gCO2/km or less. These customers will also
benefit from low £35 VED (road tax) and because of that we fully expect
more customers to respond by buying a new Peugeot as the year goes on.”
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