Peugeot's 10,000 Sochaux production plant employees celebrated two production milestones this past week; the first the completion of the one-millionth Peugeot 308 hatch and the second the production of the 500,000th 3008 SUV, both rolling off the production lines almost simultaneously at the French plant.
Between them, the two models have amassed more than 100 motoring awards globally, the most significant being the 2014 European Car of The Year Award (ECOTY) for 308 and the 2017 ECOTY for 3008 SUV.
The company is meeting global demand for the two vehicles by producing 308 at the rate of 860 units per day while 3008 production is currently running at more than 1,000 units per day, with the plant running seven days a week to meet demand.
Peugeot's SUV range, consisting of the 2008, 3008 and seven-seat 5008, now accounts for over 80 per cent of the marque's overall Australian sales figures, testament to the popularity of SUVs locally.
Peugeot Australia Managing Director, Ben Farlow, said Peugeot's rapid growth in SUV sales locally and internationally is evidence of the marque's focus on design and quality,
"For a brand that only truly entered the SUV space in 2017, Peugeot SUVs are now regarded as benchmarks for practicality, efficiency and design,
"Our unwavering focus on quality and design will continue into the new year with the debut of the all-new 508 Fastback and Sportswagon pair, two vehicles that are already winning accolades before launch," Mr Farlow said.
Due for launch in mid-2019, Peugeot's all-new 508 Fastback and Sportswagon variants have already won design awards throughout Europe and, as proof of their quality and design focus, have been shortlisted for the 2019 ECOTY awards.
Since its international launch in October 2016 the Peugeot 3008 has been a success for the 'Lion Brand' with the model now the third best-selling vehicle in France – a market traditionally dominated by passenger cars.
The 308 also continues to lead sales in France's compact passenger vehicle segment (C-segment) for 2018.
Peugeot's 308 and 3008 pair were developed by project teams based at the Sochaux R&D facility and tested on a variety of tracks ay the Sochaux/Belchamp Experimentation Centre.
For the past five years PSA Groupe has had an unwavering focus on quality and design for all of its product, with a new 250-point technical guideline implemented to ensure vehicle durability.
This is backed by a highly rigorous testing regime that subjects vehicles to a stringent 1,800-point functionality test before they leave the production facility.
Sochaux is currently on track to produce nearly 500,000 vehicles this year. Since its inception the plant has manufactured more than 23 million cars, predominantly for the Peugeot brand.