Peugeot Philippines may have been quiet for most of the year, even when it brought in the 2017 European Car of the Year with the all-new Peugeot 3008, but it's closing 2017 with a bang by launching its new SUV range locally. Joining the Peugeot 3008 are the compact Peugeot 2008 and the all-new midsize Peugeot 5008 SUVs.
"We are very excited to be unveiling these three new vehicles to the Philippine automotive media for the first time," said Peugeot Philippines President Glen Dasig. "Peugeot's new SUV range represents the brand’s bold move into the future."
The Peugeot 2008 was introduced globally in 2013, with the updated version debuting at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show.
Its front fascia is dominated by the vertical front grille that's adorned with the Peugeot lion while the horizontal bonnet is complemented at the rear with a sports spoiler. Emphasizing the 2008's SUV stance are the matte black wheel arch extensions, front and rear scuff plates, and roof bars.
For the interior, a chic and innovative interior lighting treatment serves as a highlight while the panoramic sunroof adds a touch of class to the already upscale cabin.
The Peugeot 2008 is powered by a 1.2-liter PureTech gasoline engine, the same engine which won the 2017 International Engine of the Year for the 1.0- to 1.4-liter category.
According to Peugeot Philippines Business Development Director Dong Magsajo, the Peugeot 2008 will be available locally by January 2018 although the company is now accepting orders for it at P1.49 million each with the first batch of orders already spoken for.
From purely being an MPV for its first-generation, the all-new, second-generation Peugeot 5008 has been repackaged by the French carmaker as a crossover/SUV that sits squarely in between the compact and midsize segment.
The all-new 5008 bears a slight resemblance to the 3008, though the former sports a three-bar grille, and utilizes the same Efficient Modular Platform 2 with a wheelbase that's 165 mm longer than the latter and 110 mm wider than the outgoing 5008.
Inside, the 5008 is equipped with the second generation of Peugeot's iCockpit system, has a panoramic sunroof, and has three rows of seats to seat seven occupants, with the third row folding completely flat into the floor and the front passenger seat and second-row seats folding forward to accommodate long objects. Passenger comfort is also a premium for second-row occupants as the seats can slide backward to increase legroom by 60 mm while the seat backs partially recline for a more relaxed ride.
The all-new Peugeot 5008 will be available in the second quarter of 2018, with its price to "be announced shortly."
Peugeot Philippines had a unique way to sell the Peugeot 3008. Instead of doing the usual product launch and just have its dealerships sell the vehicle, its executives scheduled an appointment with its loyal customers, have them go to the nearest dealership, and present the 2017 European Car of the Year winner. With one hour devoted to each and every customer, Peugeot executives extolled the car's properties, with the price only being mentioned at the very end. According to Magsajo, nearly all the customers they presented to ordered the 3008, with a handful even writing a check for it then and there.
As we previously reported, the first batch of 3008s have already been sold, and according to Magsajo at the launch, the same goes as well for the second batch with the incoming third shipment of units mostly sold as well.
The Peugeot 3008 is currently available at P2.59 million, with Magsajo unable to comment as to what the model's price will be once the government's planned excise tax increase takes effect in 2018.
In a speech given to members of the automotive media, Dasig called the Peugeot 2008, 3008, and 5008 as part of "a new breed of SUVs." "This is our vision for the future,” Dasig said. "The Lion is awake and the wait was definitely worth it."
Customers may express their interest in any of Peugeot’s new SUVs by emailing info@Peugeot.ph.
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