Author:
Robin Roberts
Peugeot is pumped up with confidence.
Sales have perked up 3.23 per cent in quarter one and means it has outperformed the overall market which showed just less than a 1 per cent rise in sales.
A big fill-up came after the family sized upper medium D-segment two wheel drive 508 Saloon and SW estates launched in Spring 2011 and has built on the momentum, especially to the fleet and business sector.
Now the 508 gets the range topping diesel/electric Hybrid4 two/four wheel drive and it holds the tantalizing promise it could see the brand break into the premium sector, something French manufacturers have failed to do in the UK.
The CO2 emission based tax savings offered by these 163bhp 2.0 litre Hybrid4 versions of the 508 cannot be ignored in this financial climate. So the low 12 per cent Benefit-in-Kind company car tax will appeal to business drivers and the 100 per cent Write Down Allowance against taxable profits in the first year of ownership will appeal to businesses.
The £0 cost road tax rate in the First Year rate and then £20 per annum for the 107g/km SW estate version, and nothing for the slightly CO2 cleaner 95g/km Saloon, will appeal to both retail and fleet/business customers.
London dwellers or commuters will note that the 508 Saloon Hybrid4 is free of the Congestion Charge as well.
The tax issue is most likely the key that will unlock the door to the top models appealing to those increasing number of buyers who can afford to buy in the premium sector.
The six-speed Hybrid4 RXH SW with its higher ground clearance and all wheel drive goes on sale in May and the Hybrid4 Saloon, again with all wheel drive, arrives in July. Both roomy models come with classy exterior styling and with one top level of specification for the interior. The 508 RXH SW costs £33,695 and the Saloon £31,450.
The conventional 508 Saloon and SW estate models have a UK annual sales target of around 8,000 units in total with a slight sales bias towards the SW estate and 75 per cent of sales go to fleet and business user-chooser customers. The RXH Hybrid4 SW will add around a 1,000 units a year to those sales figures and the Hybrid4 Saloon around 2,000 units. Again the SW estate is likely to sell marginally more than the Saloon but 85 per cent of customers, because of the low tax penalties, will go to fleet and business customers.
You can find out how you stand if you use our car tax calculator and get more information about business car leasing .
