However Peugeot UK’s managing director Pierre-Louis Colin said at the media launch of several new models that he still expects their UK passenger car sales to reach last year’s total of 146,000 units and for light commercial vehicle sales to significantly exceed the 16,630 units achieved last year.

Peugeot showcased to the motoring media their latest new models which they anticipate will boost their passenger car performance in a financially difficult and competitive market and increase still further their light commercial vehicle performance.

The new model roadshow included the Peugeot 308SW five-door models which go on sale from 9 June 2008 with prices ranging from £14,395 to £20,845, the Peugeot 308 GT THP 175 three and five door hatchback sports models which are already on sale and priced at £18,995 and £19,595 respectively and the new Partner Tepee which replaces the Partner Combi compact MPV.   Prices range from £11,215 to £15,305 and these models also go on sale next month. 

The Peugeot light commercial vehicle range also receives a boost with the introduction in June of the Bipper 610kg small van range priced from £7,995 excluding VAT, and the Partner 625 and 850kg panel vans priced from £10,395 to £12,395 excluding VAT.

Reviewing their sales performance so far this year Peugeot’s UK managing director Pierre-Louis Colin said this year was proving to be more difficult than previous years due to several reasons.

Customer’s concerns regarding their financial situation, new taxation rates for new and used cars and the reducing value of the Pound against the Euro causing Peugeot to reduce their involvement in the daily rental car business had all combined to slow their new car registrations.

He said, “As prices have not increased by a significant amount, except for changes in taxes brought in The Treasury, there are no real consequences for our customers or dealers regarding our pricing strategy.”

 “The fall in our passenger cars sales so far this year is solely due to the reduction in our daily rental fleet activities and this has reduced registrations of our 407 models.”

He added, the 207 range has been a great success, the 107 City Car is in demand and we are looking for a larger allocation from the factory to meet our requirements. However the new 308 hatchback models launched last year have taken time to establish themselves in a difficult market but the addition of the latest new variants, the SW and GT models, would bring fresh impetus for sales.

Colin thought the higher cost of diesel fuel over petrol in the UK will not reduce the demand for diesel powered models. He said, “The advantage still exists for diesel car sales to grow due to their lower CO2 taxation levels and higher resale values.”

Regarding their light commercial vehicles sales in the UK Pierre-Louis Colin said, “I am happy with our sales performance. The improvement has come because we used to have 300 UK Peugeot dealers, 80 of which sold LCVs. Now we have 200 of our dealers selling commercial vehicles.”