Peugeot Unveils the New 408

SYDNEY – February 9, 2010: The world premiere of the new Peugeot 408 has taken place in front of around 300 journalists and more than 700 network representatives in Beijing.

The new Peugeot 408 marks a further step in the Marque's offensive on the world's foremost automobile market.

Despite being present on the Chinese market for only five years, Peugeot has sold over 410,000 vehicles in 2009 – a 44% sales increase compared with its 2008 performance.

Following its fine performance in the M1 segment with the success of the 307 saloon and the 307 notchback, of which 3,522,800 have been produced worldwide, Peugeot is now quite legitimately embarking on a Chinese market offensive with its new 408 DF Peugeot.

The new Peugeot DF 408 should enable Peugeot to increase its sales volumes in China by over 30% in 2010, compared with 2009, and thereby to grow at twice the forecast pace of the market.

This half-height architecture sedan has been designed and developed jointly by Peugeot's Styling teams in Europe and China and meets three objectives: to embody the Marque's modernity, guarantee maximum safety and offer unrivalled interior space.

Peugeot Automobiles Australia general manager / director Ken Thomas says the 408 is an exciting proposition.

“Whilst the car has not been officially confirmed for right-hand drive production at this stage, we are quietly confident that it will be in Australia in the not-too-distant future,” he said.

“The car has an extended wheelbase allowing for more interior space and the sedan shape obviously allows for more boot space.”

The Peugeot 408 is the result of work by the joint venture set up between PSA Peugeot and the Chinese group DFM.

The car is being produced at the Wuhan plant in Hubei province in China. It is positioned to become one of the market's benchmark vehicles with a full-year sales target of 100,000 units