Peugeot 301 revealed, to come to India

     French car maker Peugeot has revealed its new compact sedan 301 for emerging markets. With the 301, Peugeot announces new revised naming strategy for the brand’s model line-up. The first digit will represent the vehicle’s segment or size, small numbers for small cars and large numbers for large cars. The naming of the cars will not change regardless of the market in which they are sold.

     Thought Peugeot has not officially announced 301’s entry into India, it is clear that Peugeot 301 has been designed for emerging markets which include India. Peugeot says the 301 has been designed keeping in mind the extreme climatic conditions and bad roads.

     Peugeot has been testing its vehicles in India for quiet a long time. The company has plans to invest Rs. 4000 Crores in India to set up a plant in Gujarat. We in our earlier post has posted spy pictures of Peugeot 207 and 508 cars testing on Indian roads.

     Peugeot 301 will be available in both petrol and diesel versions with varing power outputs between 71 Bhp to 115 Bhp. Two petrol engines (1.2L & 1.6L) and one diesel (1.6L) mated to manual or automatic transmission will be on offer. Peugeot’s diesel motor, like Renault’s 1.5L is a renowned engine will class leading performance and fuel efficiency. 

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Peugeot unveils new 208 hatchback, might come to India

     We in our earlier post had posted many spy pictures of Peugeot’s B Segment hatch 207 testing in Indian conditions. Peugeot has zeroed Gujarat as its manufacturing hub in India with an investment of Rs. 4000 crores. Peugeot will launch its first vehicle in India in the form of 507 sedan which too was spied along with the 207 hatchback in India. Since the new 208 has been unveiled now, Peugeot might just bring in its latest hatch to compete in the hot B segment. They why are they testing 207 in India? Well that could be to test the car’s performance in Indian conditions. To remind you the 207 hatch which was spotted in India is a 3 door version and so we can imagine that the new 208 5 door hatch will soon ply on our roads.


     The new Peugeot 208 gets a very futuristic design with new grill and swept back headlamps. The tail lamps are boomerang type which gives an entirely different look to the car but still keeps that Peugeot’s French styling. The interior of the car has also been reworked with more knee room for the passengers.

     Peugeot will bring in its d-HDi technology to 208 along with start stop technology to all its diesel variants. Powering the 208 hatch will be 1 liter petrol and 1.2 liter diesel engine, both with 3 cylinders. Expect to get a car with class leading performance in the B Segment soon in the form of Peugeot 208.

New Peugeot 208 Video

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Peugeot to make B-plus, C & D segment cars in India

     In our earlier post we had showed you spy pictures of Peugeot cars testing in Indian conditions. French car maker Peugeot will start its factor work at Sanand next month which will see investments of Rs. 4000 crores.

     Peugeot will make B-plus, C and D segment cars in its Sanand plant which will be launched in phase wise manner. Peugeot will launch its first model 508 sedan in India by 2014 followed by a hatchback and a luxury sedan. Peugeot has already planned for certain changes in its cars to suit the Indian conditions.

     Peugeot also has plans to bring in hybrid and electric vehicle to India in future. The company has tied up with Ford India for diesel engines and with BMW for gasoline engines. 

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Peugeot cars spied again

     In our earlier post we had posted the spy pictures of Peugeot 207 and 508 testing on Mumbai Pune highway. We came across more pictures of the cars, now at a parking lot in Pune. Thanks to NDTV Car and Bike Show fan Ritesh Rasane for the picture.


     Everyone would say Peugeot is known for the styling and wonder what could the company add to it Indian car market. We feel Peugeot is not only good in styling but also good at power trains and build quality. The Peugeot 309 launched decade and a half ago is a good example. The 309 had all the ingredients of being a good car India but for the marketing techniques by Indian partner Premier Automobiles.

     The 207 hatch will compete against VW Polo and Hyundai i20. If priced competitively, the car can also make a dent into the Swift category. The bigger 508 will lock horns against Honda Accord and Skoda Superb.


     We feel Peugeot is definitely not looking at mass market. Peugeot wants to stabilize in India first and want to create a niche for itself. We will definitely see more vehicles from Peugeot stable in the future.

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Peugeot 207 hatch entry to hot up B Segment

     Peugeot 207 hatch’s entry to Indian market will further hot up the already crowded B Segment. Though the French are late to enter India, the design and quality of Peugeot products have their own essence with which it can gain a decent market share. The design of 207 might seem similar to other cars on road in India but the car does demand attention because of its invigoration personality.

     Peugeot 309 which was launched a decade and a half ago in India was known for its refined engine and durability. It was unfortunate that ‘309’ could not sell in large numbers, which as all because of marketing issues and nothing to do with 309’s technicality. The international version of 207 is 4045mm long and we are sure Peugeot will work on the bumpers to shorten the car to come under 4 meters. With over 1800 mm width, the 207 promises to give class leading interior space.

     Peugeot has two diesel engine options, a 1.4L & 1.6L HDi engine for 207 in the other parts of the world. In India, the 1.4L HDi engine will find its place under the 207’s hood. The 1.4L HDi engine produces a decent 70 Bhp of power. Since Peugeot’s diesel engines are known for its smoothness, the 207 will deliver good performance and fuel efficiency as well.


     Peugeot 207’s built quality will also be good, keeping in mind about Peugeot’s quality standards. With a good engine, fuel efficiency, build quality, style and large interior space the Peugeot 207 hatch aims to give run for their money for the cars in B Segment. Expect the Peugeot 207 hatch to be priced around Rs. 6 lakh


What do you people think? Your opinion is most welcome…

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Peugeot 207 & 508 spied in India

     Thanks to Hammer & Anvil of team-bhp for the spy pictures of Peugeot 207 & Peugeot 508 being tested on the Mumbai Pune Expressway. According to him there were three car indeed which were on test – the Peugeot 207, Peugeot 508 and a station wagon type which could be Peugeot 307SW.

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Peugeot Citroen to set up plant in Chennai

     French automobile manufacturer PSA Peugeot Citroen has zeroed in land in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu to set up its first plant in India. The plant will have capacity of 3,00,000 units per annum catering to domestic and international markets.


     PSA Peugeot Citroen is the fifth company after BMW, Hyundai, Ford and Renault-Nissan to set up a plant in Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu has been attractive for automobile investments India because of its good labour environment.

     The company will create 20,000 jobs in the region and is likely to pull some automotive component manufacturers from France. 

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Peugeot Citroen to enter Indian Market

     French automobile manufacturer Peugeot Citroen is scouting to enter Indian Market by setting up facility in India. The company has already looked two sites in Chittor and Sitarampet both located in Andhra Pradesh. The company is in talks with the Andhra Govt. to provide incentives and also insist that the Govt. purchase their vehicles.

     Peugeot Citroen will invest around Rs 10,000 Crores in coming years. The company aims to create employment to over 10,000 people in India. 

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Peugeot planning to re-enter India

     Europe’s second largest auto manufacturer Peugeot Citroen is planning to re-enter Indian market. The company is in search for the location in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh to set up its manufacturing plant.

     According to the research conducted by the company last year, it is likely to bring in its hatchback 307 and sedan C5 in India. C5 sedan had been spotted testing in Bangalore few months ago.

     Peugeot had discussions with ARAI regarding understating of regulations and homologation for its products in India. The company officials have confirmed the report of them approaching Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh Govt.

     The company has already had discussions with the Automotive Research Association of India to understand the regulations and homologation (making the vehicles meet the Indian rules and norm) needs for its products, the sources said.

     "The global economic crisis has slowed the plans and that the company is strongly in favour of operations in India as and when conditions become favorable." said Mr Rajesh Nellore Vice President India, Peugeot Citroen.

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