RISE: New 2008 compact crossover
Poor August European sales figures should not be taken as an indicator of Peugeot’s health, the company’s Director General has insisted.
Car sales fell 5% last month against August 2012, with PSA/Peugeot-Citroen and Volkswagen Group hit hardest by the Eurozone slump.
PSA, Europe’s second-biggest carmaker, posted an 18% fall in the month, with their market share down 11% for the first eight months of 2012.
However, Maxime Picat believes the French brand have turned a corner and are becoming less reliant on their home region.
“Our internationalisation plan is on track,” said Mr Picat
“We are now selling 45% of our vehicles outside Europe against 25% a year ago.
“As our home markets stagnate we need to concentrate more on emerging and growing markets.”
Peugeot’s plan to push the brand upmarket is also on track, claimed Mr Picat – although this does not mean competing with premium brands such as BMW, Mercedes or Audi.
“This is not just about cars, but about the quality of our products and services and providing full mobility solutions,” he added.
“We also have to be able to adapt to market conditions much more quickly.
“In China now we have new, younger customers who are still excited about cars while in Europe it’s all about being connected while you are in the car.
“We have to look at how we sell cars in a better way and we have all the ingredients within Peugeot.
“We also have to make sure we do not copy Citroen and end up fighting for customers in the same market.”
Additional reporting courtesy of headlineauto, with thanks.
