Most Malaysian gets very excited over owning a VW ( and now increasingly Ford) but overlook the fact that both brands are actually not that big a deal elsewhere in the world. They are like you say mainstream. The above pricing perhaps can explain why VW is popular in china because at 76~89k RMB/Yuan... VW Jetta 1.6 MT is so affordable even then Japanese cars <a Nissan sylphy 1.6 MT @100k min while Honda Civic 1.8 MT/ToyotaCorolla is 124k to 130 k min there . If I am a Chinese - a China Chinese, I will buy a VW at any given day. So I disagree with others claiming popularity is not a function of pricing but rather branding. I challenge them to give concrete evidence of their claim. For start I put forth another case this time out neighbour Thailand p408 is selling at THB 1080,000 (2.0NA) and THB1,250,000 (1.6 turbo) compare to ford focus selling at THB549,000 to THB689,000 for 4 door Sport and THB759,000 to THB1,079,000 for 5 door sedan which is comparable to Japs Nissan New Sylphy/ Honda Civic and Toyota Altis. I believe it is about positioning. VW position them self very differently in the rest of Asia and SEA compare to China And USA and Europe. They position themselves as premium brand here and sell them with such approach and reflect that in pricing ...smart Germans !

Checking your statements....It's a given that VW is sold more expensive in UK so let's look at Ford. (first it is not right to use UK as representation of the whole europe...for one Germany has a population of 81.8 m compare to France of 65.35m and UK of 62.26m, ok?)

With the exception of the new Fiesta, everything from the Focus to the Mondeo is easily more expensive than what Peugeot is offering. The 308T is to Focus as is the 508 is to the Mondeo.

( is it now? nope not true , see below
Ford Fiesta 1.25 starts from €11.500,-
Focus 1.4 starts from €15.500,
Focus 1.6 starts from €16.500
Focus 1.8 starts from €18.000,
Focus 2.0 starts from €20.000,-

I would actually call it cheaper than ...
Peugeot 208 1.2 VTi from €11.600,
Peugeot 308 1.4 VTi from €15.700,
Peugeot 308 1.4 VTi 70 (95) 1397 3,5 Premium €15.700,-
Peugeot 308 1.6 VTi 88 (120) from €19.450, other variances from €22,250 to €25,850 ,



http://bestsellingcarsblog.com/2012/11/20/...back-in-top-10/

The chart itself is self explanatory, the only Peugeot car that sells well in the top 10 category is the model 208 (because selling price of Peugeot 208 1.2 VTi starts from ... only €11.600) and that's actually more expensive than the VW Polo ( nope VW Polo 1.2 starts from €12.450 and the new Ford Fiesta -Fiesta 1.25 from € 11.500) But the 308T isn't a bad car either, so why isn't it on the top 10 list and yet the more expensive Ford Focus is?

(308t is selling at 308 150 THP 110 (150) 1598 3,5 Premium €22.250, Ford focus? Focus 1.6 Ti-VCT 85 (115) 1596 3,5 Premium €18.750,-
Focus 1.8 92 (125) 1796 3,5 Premium €18.000 , again, which is more expensive?)

Looking at the local market, the 408 is definitely selling well thanks to its awesome price. (agree ) The same can't be said for the Jetta where it is priced in a very D-segment region. (agree ) But in Singapore, the pricing of a VW Jetta and the 408 is very close to each other , almost to the point of negligible, but yet it's the Jetta that's selling well compared to the 408. (I Would not call SGD 151.8k P408 is close to SGD143.8k Jetta , and SGD 8k difference is neglible, after all it is 5.5% difference )

Surely it has to do with the pricing to some extent but it's not realistic to entirely nail the fault down to pricing.

source: http://www.cars-of-europe.com/

Perception? French have it tough really you can ask any Englishman, British, Aussies, and the rest of the former Bristish colony people (M'sia and Singapore included), chances are well older generation may be not the gen Y , what is a familiar expression from Brits when it comes to French car? they always gives it a thumbs down (well english and French never really get along that well, they fought a 100 year battle before, but i would not want to give history lesson today...so as a result we have some pre-conceived idea about French cars being ex-british colony and all)

This post has been edited by EnergyAnalyst: Nov 30 2012, 07:33 AM

Ok , consider this my last statement on this, otherwise we are going out of topic

Firstly let look at the sales no. since Peugeot 208 is launch (source: ww.jato.com ; i.e. the same source ,OK?)

Model/make Jul-12 Aug-12 Sep-12 Oct-12
VW Polo 23,512 16,996 20,571 22,817
Ford Fiesta 21,902 12,980 31,468 26,145
Peugeot 208 17,981 14,721 23,225 23,352

We look at this segment alone, OK?

Although never No 1, P208 has achieved 3 times no. 2 exceeded VW polo for 2 months and Ford Fiesta once .

I wonder when I hope it is launch in M'sia what would the sales no. looks like (but no-one knows all this hypotheticals).....

Aiyo, man, My point has always been when the pricing is right, the car can be popular, and when it is over-priced, it is priced out from competition considerably

I hope you can already understand from my previous threads, that the reason why Peugeot is not popular in China/Thailand/Singapore because they are higher priced than VW and Ford

Agree so far? now in Europe , you may argue I got the German Price and u got the UK price. Then let's refer to the below links

http://ec.europa.eu/competition/sectors/mo...11_07_stats.pdf

http://ec.europa.eu/competition/sectors/mo..._main_table.pdf

This source although a bit dated as it refers to prices of 1-1-2011, but as it is a requirement from EU to antimonopy (kind of like Anti Trust in US) , such reports is done and it is very reliable

Now bcoz P208 comes later, let me just use its predecessor P207 as comparison of segment B as opposed to VW polo and Ford Fiesta of the same segment but we have P308, VW golf and Ford Focus (the older version) for segment C comparison.

I will take Germany's/France's & UK's prices as at 1-1-2011 (all in Euro) as they are the biggest top 3 populated countries in Europe and listed them down here:

Segment B:
Make/Model Germany France UK
Ford Fiesta 11,681 11,288 10,754
P207 13,345 14,256 11,442
VW Polo 10,315 9,933 8,738

Segment C:
Make/Model Germany France UK
Ford Focus 15,714 15,468 15,524
P308 16,025 17,266 15,068
VW Golf 14,139 12,942 14,232


Now see how Peugeot used to price it self out? With P208, they have finally price it right, hence selling like hot cakes.


Double and tripple check it, OK?

This post has been edited by EnergyAnalyst: Nov 30 2012, 02:46 PM

/www.cbt.com.my/category/columns/sales-data/
Is the best source of car sales by models and makes. Unfortunately for reason unknown, the statistics was not updated since june2012..... It still shows the fact that Peugeot P207 and P308 is selling better than VW and Ford... Again it really has to do with prices. The sales figure covers Korean Kia and Hyundai too. Enjoy reading and draw your own conclusion

What? Leaving the party so soon... Oh well , it has been fun and I learnt a couple of thing I would not have known otherwise . Thanks... It has been a joyride... No pun intended

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Added on December 1, 2012, 1:47 pm408 is launched in May12 and the sales data stopped june12. I did not start saying 408 selling well I am merely nodding to this statement from zweimmk... K bro? My agreement is relatively ...selling well in malaysia comparing to Singapore ,Thailand and china because it is priced right ... Just like 208 in europe

This post has been edited by EnergyAnalyst: Dec 4 2012, 07:15 AM

http://www.livelifedrive.com/malaysia/news...it-comes-to-408

Haha ...why so Chinese one ? 8 means luxury? Is that why all the eights is higher priced... IMHO, 408 was closer to luxury class hence having 8 at the back...it was intended so in China...but thanks no Nasim... We get it so much affordable here in Msia... I hope nasim can do it for P208.... Really likes it over the VW polo and Ford Fiesta ...it was reported to have better fuel consumption than the other two at 4.7L per 100 km beating 5.5 /100 for VW polo and thirsty Fiesta of 6.1 L/100 km. Hope it'll reach Malaysian shores soon.. like to buy it as a second car for city and urban driving. Love the sporty small steering and design and built of dashboard with the higher positioned meter display.

http://www.carsguide.com.au/news-and-revie...eot_208_review1

http://english.ruvr.ru/2012_10_19/Sales-of...ntly-in-Russia/

Interesting read... French Automakers particularly Peugeot is making cars to suit first the Chinese , than the South American and now Russian market... And in the heart of the action is Peugeot 408...

Holly cow! Just tested and it works...having this car for so long and don't even know...thanks for sharing? Thumbs up!

Anyone know what the p ))) off button for? Can't seemed to find anything in the manual.

Thanks my jb bro!

Please upload picture. 408 shared a lot of DNA of 308... Am sure we will sense something similar... So far for me, after driven thru a puddle of water.. After making stop the acceleration makes funny airy sound.. And if I stop completely and depresses my brakes... It makes funny gas sound.. And yes the sound emits from the gearbox

Thanks for the heads up. Much appreciate this.

301 is not going to come to msia as long as 408 is here. 208 should be replacing 207 in 2013??

Meanwhile, not sure if this is repost, but in case you've grown tired of explaining to the judgemental and sceptical others why 408 was your choice, read the link below to arm your self or simply ask them to read it themselves to save your breath.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans...on/viewall.html

The link is from USA. No Peugeot sold there since 1991. But the point of the link is it made criticism fairly and justly to all segment C that are all available in here as well although specs wise there are some difference compare US and Msia.

Why i said 301 is not coming to Msia? live life drive headlined
http://www.livelifedrive.com/malaysia/news...luding-malaysia

This post has been edited by EnergyAnalyst: Dec 18 2012, 07:35 AM

3 news that makes it hard for Peugeot to make any future plan in near horizon, which means the time for 208 arrival in Msia and 301 launches any where in the world may be delayed ???

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSBRE8...121024?irpc=932

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.c...s-peugeot-india

http://www.freep.com/article/20121113/BUSI...ions-break-down

The forth piece of not so good news...http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/bmw-claiming-psa-owes-it-50-million-ar136752.html

+1 on perception pass down from gen to gen

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Added on December 18, 2012, 6:06 pmService networks have a lot to do with the distributorships. It works hand in hand. Behind T and Perodua is UMW. Behind Honda, Proton, Suzuki and even VW is DRB-Hicom. Behind Ford and Hyundai is Sime Darby. Behind Peugeot, Kia, Chevvy is Naza. Catching up on service and spare parts is hence depending on not just how rich are these local partner but how willing these companies are to put in the dough and the sweat to makes the whole deal works. A lot of that has to do with is firstly...is motor biz these companies core business or at least big contributor to their revenue. So UMW is, DRB-Hicom...yes but...Proton just going to eat in too much of their time and they will probably leave both honda and vw to their capable hand and Suzuki to their own device. Naza? I think so especially when it comes to motor biz being their core and how they have invested in Peugeot and Kia ventures but can't say the same for Chevrolet . Sime Darby ? don't bet your socks in it! The worst of the lots. They have not done Ford justice IMHO.

Behind Mazda is Berjaya a working partnership that has sell numbers ---from 991 units sold in 2008, Bermaz (a convenient combi of both companies' name i.e. BERjaya-MAZda) shifted 6,131 units in 2011, not a small feat by any account. So much so that it led to this :
http://paultan.org/2012/09/11/mazda-malays...d-cx-5-in-2013/

Sounds like a second Naza story? My worry is only as
Berjaya is kind of like Sime Darby...too diversified of biznesses and motor is not their core...but still i will bet on this partnership as THE ONE TO BEHOLD.

Mitsubishi with EON is... Well their declining sales is testament to how well THAT works!

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Added on December 19, 2012, 1:58 amLike the way you put in... Get new car in fast... If they are solid even monkey can service and not break it... Hahaha

This post has been edited by EnergyAnalyst: Dec 19 2012, 01:58 AM

That may be true, I agree that it depends on how the marque themselves put in the equal if not more effort. It still takes 2 to tango, marque + local distributor, so the local distributor is undeniably part of the influence.

History has shown how some local distributorships changed hand because the local partner was blamed for not playing their willing parts. take the recent case in point:PSA Peugeot Citoen with Brookland.

However the automaker themselves being in Auto industry is first and foremost a very challenging field to be in. Being automaker, they are very vulnerable to economic downturn, Nissan + Renault Alliance ,Peugeot (now having a somewhat debatable alliance with GM) has all been through that and when the automaker themselves are facing issues, and can't inject more fund in marketing or whatever, the perseverance of the local partner can makes a lot of difference. Exception : VW did it all by themselves... still doing it now and hence a harder road to make for themselves, but what to do when you have the busy DRB Hicom having something else on their NATIONAL agenda.

Of all the old established local car distributor company, Tan Chong was the one that has persevered, owing partially to how they have perservered and wheathered the storm. In comparison, the Penang based equally old Boon Siew/oriental (now surviving only as Kah Motor) has to surrendered its sole distributorship entirely since 2011 to allow formation of JV of DRB-Hicom and Honda Japan. Holding merely 15% of the new Honda Malaysia, now they only survived as Kah Motors being one of the many Honda dsitributors.

What is the reason?

Step into any Tan Chong's Nissan showroom, SA will welcome you with very above the market trade in value for your old ride, give you further discount/tinting, some time thrown in some gadgets, etc. etc. Is Nissan the one giving them or is it Tan Chong, who is placing the dough and sweat it in? Nissan? all they have thrown in may be just the standard warranty like all japs do.

Boon Siew/Oriental? possibly a victim of political agenda but they have also been resting on their laurels , i.e. counting solely too much of Honda doing all the hardwork, but who can blame them? in Malaysia Honda sell fast, just slower then Toyota.

Now look at SD-Ford, and Naza or Nasim-Peugeot. Do you know the 5 year warranty UNLIMITED MILEAGE from Nasim for Peugeot car is actually 3 year by Peugeot and +2 by Nasim? although no free maintenace. Did SD do the same? i think not, so instead give combi of 3 y warranty+3 year main free LIMITED to 60km

First 3 years/60 km maintenance is perhaps 3-4k for Ford (focus) and Peugeot (408), so SD give u that 3-4k, stick with standard 3 years /60k warranty (possibly by Ford anyway) while Nasim give you 5 years unlimited mileage.

Considering the chances of warranty claim for the next 2 year after 1st 3 initial years is higher, i will gladly maintain my Peugeot from my own pocket than leave it at risk of any warranty issue after the 1st 3 years, why, with Msian high car price, we tends to take long pay back in car loan, and the hot+humid weather here has strange effect on durability of our ride.

All the above of coz is only IMHO. Cheers

Really? I stand corrected then . thanks for pointing it out. But err why limit to 200k km ? SD also limit its 5 year warranty /capped at 300k km for Hyundai when Naza gives 5 year unlimited for both peugeot and Kia? anyway Competition is good!!!!!

This post has been edited by EnergyAnalyst: Dec 19 2012, 03:24 PM