Since Peugeot’s arrival into the Philippines, they’ve always vowed to get the Japanese’s lunch money. They’ve tried it all — from the introduction of a mild hybrid diesel to the expansion of its product portfolio which included the likes of the 208 GTi, 301, and 308. Suffice to say, they weren’t that successful, limited only to niche player status outsold even by the likes of Volkswagen.
Now though, there’s an air of confidence at Peugeot and that has to do with the introduction of its new 3008 line-up. Admittedly, it doesn’t look all that different from the 3008 Active launched last June. What’s greatly different though is the price. For the first time ever, the 3008 compact SUV starts at P 1,890,000 putting it squarely within the CR-V/CX-5/Forester range.
The secret to Peugeot’s more affordable pricing is a change of source. As speculated last June, the French car brand was seeking to source from the Gurun, Kedah Malaysian assembly plant. A joint-venture between Peugeot’s parent company, PSA and Malaysia’s Naza Corporation, the plant now serves several ASEAN markets including the Philippines.
Thanks to zero tariff, the Peugeot 3008 is now more affordable. The new SRP is P 500,000 less than the European-sourced 3008 Active which is, in turn, P 500,000 less than the original price of the top-spec 3008 Allure. And despite being less of a dent to the pocket, the Malaysian-made 3008 Active now packs features to match its European-made cousin.
Under the hood is a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine making 167 horsepower and 240 Nm of torque. This is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with cruise control. Eschewing traditional all-wheel drive, the 3008 relies on its electronic Advanced Grip Control System to maximize the performance of its front-wheel drive architecture.
Standard features include leather seats, carbon-like material on the dashboard, dual zone climate control, and an 8-inch capacitive multi-touch screen with MirrorLink, 6 SRS airbags, ABS with EBD, stability control, and rear parking sensors with reverse camera.
For those who want a diesel powertrain, there’s also a variant powered by a 2.0-liter BlueHDi engine. Packing the same features as its gasoline-engine sibling, this one costs P 2,090,000 — undercutting both the all-wheel Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5.
Coinciding with the launch of the Peugeot 3008 Active, Peugeot Philippines also announced its first corporate philanthropy program called, “The Protectors of the Environment” or POE. The program is designed to involve Peugeot customers and their children in a movement to combat climate change.
Under the program, all new owners of Peugeot will be given the option to join the cause by volunteering in tree-planting activities in various locations, including private parks of selected communities, public lands reclaimed by the city governments in Metro Manila, and a one-hectare space in the Angat Dam Reserve and Eco Park adopted and maintained by Peugeot Philippines.
Educational nature tours and seminars will also be held in partnership with selected government and non-profit organizations. Customers can also choose to participate in various international fora on climate change to enhance their understanding of the crisis on a truly global scale. Aiding Peugeot Philippines’ efforts in these activities are the French Embassy, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Briquettors Association of the Philippines.
