By Moses Akaigwe 08072100049
Three years after the Peugeot 301 sedan was born with prediction of an impressive performance in the sedan market, the successes recorded by the car have paved the way for a new, upgraded model: The 301 Midlife.
The considerably imbued and refined new kid on the block was launched by PAN Nigeria Ltd five days ago at an elaborate ceremony at the plant in the Kakuri area of Kaduna, where the exploits of the predecessor 301 was highlighted by the Managing Director, Mr. Ibrahim Boyi.
Apart from having been bestowed with the Car of the Year price by the Nigerian Auto Journalists Association {NAJA} in 2016 and winning top awards in Europe for its modern engine, 301has since lived up the prediction at its birth, by driving the lion brand back on the road to recovering many of its lost customers.
For instance, Boyi disclosed, the 301 played a vital role in Peugeot growing its market share from 6 percent in 2015 to 8 percent in 2016.
This trail of success blazed by the predecessor inspired the production of the new Midlife version which the management said the latter is poised to follow in order to record even higher performance in the market.
Underscoring the high premium PAN Nigeria attaches to reconnecting with the emotions and heritage of Peugeot which was once the flagship of Nigeria’s auto industry, Boyi stated that the brand appeals to all age groups in the market.
With a tag of about N5.6 million, Midlife is driving in with competitive price as one of its selling points.
Citing safety features, space, reliability, ground clearance, and comfort as some other needs the driver and the passengers that have been taken care of in the Peugeot 301 Midlife, the Managing Director remarked: “The new Peugeot 301 reinforces it’s qualities with new assets. The body is dressed in the latest stylistic codes of the brand. The vertical grille, body set spotlight and neat adjustments embody the sturdiness of the car. The luminous signatures, incorporating LEDs at the front are expressions of the technological content”.
He disclosed that that PAN was working closely with the technical partners in France to ensure the CKD production of the 301 Midlife and other vehicles in the plant.
“PAN is ready to blaze the trail by its imminent plan to commence CKD production of the Peugeot 301. This will lead the way for growing local component industry, skills, technology and innovation and the long sought after ‘Nigerian car’,” the Managing Director disclosed.
Reinforcing Boyi’s flowery introduction, the Chairman of PAN, Alhaji Munir Ja’Afaru {Yerima Zazzau}, described the sedan as fantastic car, appealing to Nigerians to patronise made-in-Nigeria vehicles.
One of the guests and the member of the House of Representatives from Tarauni Federal Constituency, Kano, Hon. Nasiru Ila Baballe, applauded PAN for rolling out the new version of 301, even as he commended the looks and qualities of the car.
Urging Nigerians patronise the 301 Midlife, Babale disclosed that the House had decided to buy Peugeot for members for their oversight functions due to the unique attributes of the brand.
In his remarks, the General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Mr. Bawo Omagbitse, told the guests that the 301 Midlife comes with sophisticated features, adding that the new car’s body is dressed in the latest stylistic codes of the brand, striking vertical grille and body-set spotlights.
He drew attention to the luminous signatures, incorporating LEDs at the front. He further stated that the car offers considerable trunk volume, dynamic behaviour while in motion and a design adapted to local requirements.
Omagbitse disclosed that 301 Midlife has boasts USB connectivity, Bluetooth and Triple Play compatible Mirror Screen which duplicates the smartphone content on the touch-screen of the vehicle.
“The car offers unprecedented safety and comfort for the driver and passengers in terms of ergonomics, driving position, height adjustment of the seat and steering wheel with touch screen at the fingertips”.
The 301 Midlife is driven by a 1.2 litre Pure Tech with high torque that equates its performance to that of the higher 1.6 litre petrol engine – both mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. There is a variety of 16’’ wheels depending on the trim level.
One of the highpoints of the roll-out was a brief plant tour during which the General Manager Operations, Mr. Austin Okoro, explained the very strict production process that pays attention to high quality standards.
The vehicles assembled at the Kaduna plant, Okoro assured are as good as those produced in any Peugeot plant in any part of the world, if not better. “Until the vehicle being produced is okayed at the finish line, it is not yet a car, ” the General Manager explained.
The official unveiling attracted many very important guests, including the representatives of the Kaduna State Government, the Customs Services, the Prisons, dealers and other industry stakeholders.