Peugeot has announced its new vehicle naming strategy that will see a permanent name for its models. From now on, Peugeot models will no longer change name whether they undergo a facelift or complete renewal, writes Padraic Deane.
As an example, the forthcoming 208 will retain its model name for ever more. Permanently fixing the numbers will help simplify the understanding of the range and assist in growing brand recognition, the company says.
In 1929 Peugeot began its three-digit numbering with the unveiling of the 201. Peugeot's naming system has since been structured around a central zero with the first digit representing the size of the vehicle and the final digit indicating the generation of the vehicle.
This system evolved at the end of the 90s to include different body types - CC and SW - and since 2005 a central double zero denotes models with a high structure, such as the 3008 or 5008.
From this point on, all models which already bear a number with a final digit "8", such as the 208, 308 or 3008, will keep their name when they are renewed. However, denoting new conquest models and designed specifically for emerging international markets, Peugeot will this year introduce a new range of vehicles with model names ending in a "1".
The newly-announced Peugeot 301, a compact four-door saloon destined for central/eastern Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Greece, Middle East, Gulf, African states and Latin American markets, will go on sale
in November 2012. It will in time become one of the marque's best-selling vehicles worldwide. The new 301 will world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in September.
