Peugeot to supply unconventional designs in current segments

Peugeot will deal with quantity segments transferring ahead, however its fashions received’t essentially comply with comparable templates to their rivals.

The model’s head designer, Matthias Hossann, informed Autocar the 408 and 508 are examples of Peugeot’s technique, arguing each fashions boast unconventional silhouettes for his or her segments.

However Peugeot CEO Linda Jackson dominated out the model’s return to providing area of interest merchandise like coupes and convertibles, or its entry into new segments.

“We aren’t in a distinct segment technique. So we very a lot are figuring out precisely the place what we name the revenue and quantity swimming pools are, the place there’s the focus of quantity and the place is the fitting positioning for Peugeot,” Ms Jackson informed Autocar.

“So I’m not going to be within the place – and I’m certain somebody’s going to ask me – to have a cabriolet or to have a coupé. Or am I going to have one thing else? And I all the time disappoint individuals as a result of, you understand, that’s not our technique.

“Our technique is to be very, very centered and actually focus on the place we’re: our core segments, our core successes.

“In fact, who is aware of for the longer term? However fairly truthfully, I feel we should be very centered at this stage.”

She famous the Peugeot 208 is Europe’s best-selling automobile, whereas its electrical e-208 counterpart is Europe’s best-selling EV.

Whereas the lately revealed 408, a high-riding liftback, seems to contradict Ms Jackson’s declare Peugeot received’t compete in new or area of interest segments, the chief famous 408 prospects are more likely to come from the present small and mid-sized segments.

She additionally famous prospects don’t make the identical distinctions between segments as automotive executives do.

Whereas rivals like Ford and Opel/Vauxhall have left the mid-sized passenger automobile phase in Europe, Peugeot recommended its 508 might stick round.

“Properly, in the mean time, the 508 is doing very effectively, and I’m fairly proud of it,” stated Ms Jackson.

“We will see the way it goes sooner or later, however individuals are transferring away and in search of several types of automobiles, for those who like, and we envisage that there shall be individuals coming from the D-segment into the 408, for instance.

“So individuals are transferring, however proper now we consider that they’re distinct affords.”

The model’s head designer stated the present 508, launched in 2018, was the beginning of “the evolution of the standard sedan automobile” with its modern, coupe-like styling.

The brand new 408 is “difficult typical silhouettes” and future Peugeot fashions will equally accomplish that, although Mr Hossann didn’t verify whether or not future Peugeots would straddle typical segments because the 408 does.

He stated “each product we’re designing must be a worldwide product”, noting China is not the sedan stronghold it as soon as was as seemingly each international market continues to gravitate in direction of SUVs.

“We don’t need to be caught to conventional sedans or SUVs any extra,” stated Mr Hossann.

“We need to push for the way forward for Peugeot, so each time we design a brand new automobile, we need to problem the conservative silhouettes that we’re used to.”

He referred to as the 408 “a brand new breed of automobile” that’s neither sedan nor SUV however a “white house” automobile to take a seat between, with a raised trip top however a rakish roofline for larger effectivity and a sportier look.

He additionally added the model “didn’t need to simply do a sedan crossover with some plastic elements on it”.

The lately revealed 308, in distinction, maintains a reasonably typical hatchback or wagon silhouette, whereas the 2008, 3008 and 5008 crossovers largely comply with the identical fundamental design method as rival small and mid-sized crossovers.

Ms Jackson’s remarks rule out a return to coupes and convertibles, echoing a wider business swing away from these physique types.

The model has a wealthy historical past of enticing two-door fashions, such because the 504 Coupe and Cabriolet and the 406 Coupe, nevertheless it has been a number of years since Peugeot final supplied a coupe or convertible.

Manufacturing of the RCZ coupe resulted in 2015 with the final examples bought right here in 2016. The 308 CC convertible additionally died round this time, with the smaller 207 CC droptop discontinued in 2012.

The axing of the 2 convertibles occurred within the midst of a mass extinction of folding steel hardtop convertibles, with rival manufacturers like Ford, Opel/Vauxhall and Volkswagen additionally dropping theirs.

Comfortable-top successor fashions like GM’s Cascada, bought underneath the Buick, Holden, Opel and Vauxhall manufacturers, subsequently died and treasured few reasonably priced convertibles stay.

Peugeot additionally adopted a broader business development in killing its non-van primarily based individuals movers.

As soon as scorching property in Europe, MPVs have declined markedly as SUVs have grown in reputation.

The 5008 morphed from an MPV-like design to a extra typical crossover in its second generations, whereas the short-lived 1007 – by no means bought right here – was axed in 2009.

In different markets, Peugeot nonetheless sells individuals movers however these are primarily based on its business van vary.

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