Peugeot expects fleets to account for 40% of the total 8000 sales of its new 2008 supermini-based SUV in a full year, according to fleet director Phil Robson.
Speaking at the launch of the 2008, which will go up against the Renault Captur and Nissan Juke, Robson said: “Nissan has does a good job of opening up the sector so that people know where that kind of car fits in.”
He said 80% of the fleet sales would be to user-choosers. “We expect people to come out of 308-sized cars and go into higher-specification 2008s.”
Commenting on the overall market this year, Robson said: “The balance of our mix is moving to retail due to the introduction of the 208, but there’s planned overall volume growth against 2012. However, we’re not sure of the market share. We could be anything from 5-10% up this year on last.
“Fleet sales will be the same volume this year as last, but the quality of the mix will change. We did 10,000 daily rental last year and we’ll do 7500 this year.”
Meanwhile, Robson also said he’s noticed a decrease in choice levels within fleets.
“Some businesses are considering going solus again because of the increased discounts available. In the 1990s there was the move to let people have what they wanted; now the economy is constricting and people have to cut their cloth.
“However, while they are considering going solus more have restructured into three-brand deals and the market allows drivers to accept that,” concluded Robson.
