Nasim lifts Peugeot sales target

Nasim Sdn Bhd has revised upwards its sales forecast for Peugeot cars for 2010 by more than 30 per cent as more Malaysians go for the French marque's award-winning vehicle amid an improving automotive market.

The official distributor for Peugeot cars in Malaysia is pushing up its sales forecast to 3,800 units this year from an earlier forecast of 2,930 units.

The new sales target of 3,800 units is comparable with the 3,766 units sold in 2009, with a bulk of the sales expected to be registered in the second half of 2010 when it launches three new models and two facelifted variants.

Furthermore, total sales in 2009 included the 206 Bestari, which has since been phased out. Excluding the 206 Bestari, the company's sales in 2009 would have totalled 1,419 units, which in itself represented a sevenfold jump from the 2008 figures.

For the first four months of 2010, Nasim's sales, excluding sales of the 206 Bestari, has nearly tripled to 715 units, largely driven by the award-winning 308 Turbo while demand for both the 308 VTi and 407 has been steadily picking up.

"Our new sales forecast takes into account the anticipated demand for our exciting line-up of products that will be launched in upcoming months starting with the multiple award-winning 3008 SUV in early June," Nasim chief executive officer SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin said.

Despite being a month away from its launch, Nasim has already noticed strong demand for the 3008, and has begun taking pre-launch bookings for the SUV.

The 3008 has won numerous awards in Europe including the prestigious What Car? magazine's Car of the Year 2010 award.

Featuring a blend of features commonly related to hatchbacks and SUVs, the 3008 marks the first of several innovative models to be introduced by Peugeot.

Since its launch in Europe in the spring of 2009 until December 31 2009, a total of 62,000 units of the 3008 have been sold.

"We will have the distinction of being the first country in Asean to launch the 3008 and we are very excited over the prospects. We believe it will be just as successful here as it has been in the European markets.

"This is Peugeot's 200th-year anniversary and we believe the 3008 is the perfect vehicle to celebrate this milestone," said SM Nasarudin.

Besides the 3008, other new vehicles lined-up to be launched this year include the 5008 MPV and a B-segment sedan codenamed T33, which will be assembled in Gurun, Kedah, for both the domestic and regional markets.

In addition, Nasim will also be launching a facelift of the award-winning 308 VTi soon and is currently taking bookings for the model.