January - June 2013 Uk Sales Show Strong Growth

LONDON – July 9, 2013: Peugeot’s on-going new product offensive has generated excellent sales results in the first half of 2013.

Official figures reveal the brand sold an impressive 56,253 new cars in the UK from January to June, compared with 52,482 in the same period last year. This is a rise of more than 7%, with retail sales being the main driver, up 17%. The UK is now the third largest market in the world for Peugeot behind France and China.

The growth is due to exceptional demand for models right across the Peugeot range, from the outstanding value of the 107 city car to the recently face-lifted RCZ Sports Coupé. However, key to the rise in sales has been the continuing success of the all-new Peugeot 208 which has been given an extra boost by the arrival of the sophisticated 208 XY and the performance-oriented 208 GTi models.

The practical appeal of the 2008 Crossover, with more than 700 advanced orders received before the official on sale date of 18th July, means 2013 should be another very successful year for Peugeot.

Official sales figures show almost 21,000 Peugeot 208 superminis have been sold so far in 2013. Such high customer interest puts the striking hatchback into the top ten best sellers list almost from the start and retail sales are up 46% compared to the same period in 2012.

“Since it was launched a year ago more than 40,000 208s have been sold in the UK,” said Neil Moscrop, Director of Sales for Peugeot UK. “Orders for GTi and XY combined stand at almost 1,000 units and make up 10% of the model’s sales mix. That’s ahead of expectations and together they epitomise Peugeot’s move upmarket.”

The 208 is proving to be an outstanding brand ambassador for Peugeot, with more than two-thirds of sales going to customers who are new to the marque.

Moscrop continued: “We believe this success is down to our carefully considered retail strategy – high specification cars, low cost of ownership, new highly efficient three-cylinder petrol engines and an aggressive list price. It’s the perfect illustration of the resurgence of the Peugeot brand.”

The arrival of the 2008 in UK showrooms later this month should give Peugeot’s sales figures a further push. Retailers have already taken over 700 orders, which represent almost 25% of the car’s sales target for the whole year.

“We’re finding 2008 customers are buying into the Peugeot philosophy of high specification combined with great value.” explained Moscrop. “For example, nearly 70% of our 2008 retail orders are for the top specification models Allure and Feline – these include features such as Grip Control with enhanced traction technology and rear parking aid.”

Elsewhere in the Peugeot range, the hugely popular 107 city car has shown a 3% increase in sales in the first six months of the year and interest in the RCZ Sports Coupé means there’s currently a three-month waiting list. In the Motorhome segment, where vehicles built on a Peugeot chassis account for a third of all UK sales, demand is up 6%.

A key factor in Peugeot’s strong sales performance has been ‘Just Add Fuel’ (JAF), the brand’s unique three-year finance package which rolls all the customer’s motoring costs, including insurance, into one fixed monthly payment. The initiative means drivers aged just 21 can get into a brand new Peugeot 208 with a monthly payment from only £219. Their only other expense will be petrol (or diesel)!

“Peugeot has had an excellent first six months of the year and we’re confident it will get even better in the second half,” added Moscrop.