Dongfeng Peugeot produce local HV2015

　　Zimmerman: Dongfeng Peugeot to roll out locally produced hybrid vehicles by 2015

　　【Editors’ notes】: With the theme of “Tech and Future”, the 8th China (Guangzhou) International Automobile Exhibition has kicked off during December, 21, 2010 and December 27, in China Import and Export Fair Complex, Pazhou . AUTO SOHU will carry out discussions with automakers’ supervisors, review their market performances in the past year, take a glance of future of 2011 China auto market. Following is AUTO SOHU’s interview with Zimmerman, general manager of Dongfeng Peugeot.

　　Established for 200 years, Dongfeng Peugeot launched their showcases with new features.

　　Moderator:  could you introduce to us what models and new products Dongfeng Peugeot brought to us in this Guangzhou auto exhibition, and what kind of features they have?

　　Zimmerman: Thanks AUTO SOHU for giving us this opportunity to introduce our exhibiting vehicles. At first, I will introduce our Peugeot export vehicles, which are not included in Dongfeng Peugeot products, but a brand new model launched by Peugeot. We just launched a new export model named 3008, which has been released in Europe in the beginning of the year and achieved great success.

　　This vehicle is all about Peugeot’s brand new model, called as urban cross-border vehicles, with advantages of SUV. Now let me introduce our exhibiting vehicles by Dongfeng Peugeot. Of course, besides model 207,307, newly-launched 408 is also a part of this exhibition. With this great opportunity of Guangzhou auto show, we hope to put a perfect ending for the celebration that Peugeot has been established for 200 years.

　　To celebrate the brand of Peugeot which has been established for 200 years, we have launched a series of activities this year. There are 2 perfect examples in our showcase. The first one is 908HD-FAP, which has won Intercontinental Le Mans Cup – 1 000 km of Zhuhai in November. People who attend to the auto show will be lucky to see the pure electric vehicle, EX1, which has broken the world record for electric vehicle acceleration in Chengdu before 2 weeks. The acceleration is 7 seconds when the vehicle achieves an eighth of miles, 12 seconds when a fourth miles, and 3.49 seconds when 0 and hundred miles.

　　Moderator: according to some materials, Peugeot showcase is with the most features in this Guangzhou auto show. Just as you mentioned as 3008, EX1, probably a great number of consumers drew great attentions to automakers, and the actual performance of Dongfeng Peugeot this year. Could you give us a brief introduction?

　　Zimmerman: besides the celebration of 200 years of brand, we have achieved great results in sales. The set goals have already completed, and the sales have achieved 150000 units this year. The successfully-launched model 408 achieved monthly sales as 6000 or 7000 units. The sales of 408 have been increasing till the end of the year. Although the market is so blistering hot in the end of the year, model 408 has gained popularity and reputation after launched for a long time. We all knew Chinese consumers are caring about a good reputation.

　　Besides the excellent sales, we have made achievements in channel construction. Take network construction for example, there were 165 4S shops last year, but they have increased to 220 in the end of this year. In addition to quantity, we have made great achievement in service quality. According to Customer Support Satisfaction Survey by JD.power, Dongfeng Peugeot has raked the fifth among all auto brands.

　　Moderator: As the auto market has affected by tight policies in the end of the year, experts will not be optimistic about next year’s auto market. However, you have once mentioned in other occasions that the sale target will be set as 200000 units next year. Do you think this goal is a little bit aggressive? Compared with the auto market next year, how would you think of this goal?

　　Zimmerman: Although the present market is blistering hot, and we haven’t seen any slowdown, we also predict that the auto market of next year will not be as hot as of this year. Compared with 30 % this year, we expect that the increase will achieve 15% in the auto market next year. We also see that anything is possible in China’s auto market. Thus, we have been fully prepared for the production capacity to respond to the market development. Dongfeng Peugeot won’t be hindered by the general trend of the market. There are two reasons. First one, we will launch 2 new products next year. The other is the development of network construction. Considering the above 2 reasons, we have faith in our sales. 200000 units will be an aggressive goal, but also a practical one.

　　Moderator: according to statistics, the sales of Peugeot have achieved 1000000 units in the world, taking up 15% of Chinese market. We want to know that how much the sales of Dongfeng Peugeot will take up in the global market in the next five years according to Peugeot’s global layout.

　　Zimmerman: at first, we are aggressive in China auto market. Also we have faith in its continual development. As for the brand of Peugeot, it grows rapidly in some emerging market, such as Latin America, Russia. It also gained fast development in other Asian countries, besides China. It will grow in Europe in the future.

　　Moderator: just now you have mentioned the sale goal will set at 200000 units next year because of new models, such as model 508, so you have faith in sales. Could you introduce to us another brand new model?

　　Zimmerman: as for model 508, we are considering predicting its sales. However, I think it will achieve the average sales when launched to the market. If the model will reach to its best sale performance, we believe the average monthly sales will achieve 7000 or 10000 units. It will take some time to achieve this level as same as model 408. We will make an exact prediction after the launch of model 508.

　　As for another new model, I think we should keep it as a secret. We will disclose more information till the beginning of the next year.

　　Moderator:  EX1 is particularly exhibited in Guangzhou auto show. Did it mean Peugeot would take some action in terms of new energy vehicles or pure electric vehicles?

　　Zimmerman: Peugeot has launched the first electric vehicle in the world. EX1 is the essence of this technology. As for electric vehicles, it more suit for cities. Peugeot is now preparing for launching a new model called ION. We know Chinese government is now carrying out some pilot projects to build infrastructure for recharging electric vehicles. With policies are getting clearer, we will consider doing some work in terms of electric vehicles.

　　Moderator:  the last question is about the vehicle model. Take model 3008 for example, a great number of consumers want to know whether it will be exported at first, and then locally produced. Was the local production included in the plan? How’s the timetable?

　　Zimmerman: Model 3008 will be exported at first. And we will pay close attention to its performance after it is launched, as it shows a transformation of consuming concept. We call it urban SUV in China, and it grows rapidly. So Dongfeng Peugeot will follow the trend to produce this kind of product. However, will the trend be more incline to SUV, or cross-border vehicles? We have no answer. To satisfy consumers, the products will be classified thoroughly. We believe 3008 will find its market, and we would consider producing a Chinese domestic vehicle to respond to this kind of market.

　　Moderator:  ok, thanks for accepting our interview, Mr. Timothy Zimmerman. Thank you. (Translator: qinghua/serena)

　　See original Chinese report please click:

http://auto.sohu.com/20101220/n278406949_1.shtml

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