Dangote Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria Limited (DPAN), the official manufacturer and marketer of the Peugeot brand in Nigeria, has taken a significant step towards reclaiming its leadership position in the automotive market.
Head of Media Relations, Branding, and Communications, Sunday Esan, stated in a statement to journalists on Monday.
The statement announced that DPAN has commenced the assembly of the GT model of the highly-regarded Peugeot 3008, which has seen commercial success and earned awards in various international markets.
The Peugeot 3008 GT features a 1.6-litre high-performance turbo engine and expands the existing line up of vehicles produced at the modern assembly plant that opened in Kaduna a few years ago.
“The new 3008 GT joins the ‘Made-in-Nigeria Peugeot’ range, which includes the popular 301 sedan and the spacious 5008, a seven-seater known for its stylish design and modern technology features.
“Drivers will appreciate the lumbar adjustment and massage seat. When ready to drive, simply push the start button to hear the smooth hum of the engine, paired with an automatic transmission system.
“The bluetooth telephony feature helps avoid the common ‘phoning-while-driving’ violations, which are among the most frequently breached traffic offences in Nigeria, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
“For long-distance highway travel, the vehicle’s cruise control allows drivers to maintain a preset speed without needing to press the accelerator,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the new GT model, a premium trim of the Peugeot 3008 SUV being assembled by DPAN, includes features such as automatic headlights, fog lamps, daytime running lights, a sunroof with a sliding function, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Consistent with its predecessors, safety—both active and passive—has not been compromised in the 3008, which is designed with the needs of the Nigerian market and driving conditions in mind.
Key safety features include a minimum of eight airbags for comprehensive protection of all occupants, lane departure warning, an electric child safety system, and graphic and audible rear parking assistance.
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The vehicle is equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) to prevent wheel lock during braking, an Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) to prevent skidding and loss of control, and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBFD) that optimizes braking force based on the vehicle’s weight distribution.
In keeping with many top-tier Peugeot vehicles, the 3008 GT features the brand’s innovative I-Cockpit interface, which includes a 12.3-inch head-up display, an 8-inch touchscreen, and a multifunction steering wheel.
The interior’s comfortable ambience is further enhanced by an automatic dual-zone air conditioning system, a cooling glove box, a high-quality CD/MP3 sound system with auxiliary input, and rear power windows.
DPAN’s Chief Commercial Officer, Umar Isa-Kaita, recently confirmed that the automaker plans to introduce the Peugeot Landtrek 4×2, a pickup truck with a rear-wheel drive system, into the light commercial vehicle segment.
This model features a 2.4-liter engine and is known for its ruggedness. A 4×4 version may be considered for future introduction.
Isa-Kaita also mentioned that DPAN is in discussions with various auto companies to expand the Peugeot sales and after-sales network by accrediting dealerships throughout Nigeria.
Increasing the number of dealerships will enhance the visibility and availability of new-generation vehicles across the country while ensuring satisfactory after-sales support for Peugeot owners.
