An Overdrive reader has spotted the new Peugeot 208
with red TR-C plates in Mumbai.
The PSA Group has confirmed the
brand’s entry in the Indian car market by 2020, and have tied up with CK Birla
Group for production in Tamil Nadu with the factory capacity at 100,000 units
per annum. However, it’s unlikely that the 208 spotted is the India-spec model
on test, given that PSA Group hasn’t yet established complete operations or
have decided the product lineup for the Indian market.
The company plans to start selling products by the
end of the decade, so it seems a bit too early to start testing prototypes.
Also, the current gen 208 is nearing the end of its product cycle, making way
for the next-generation model which is based on the CMP platform and due next
year.
It’s likely that the model could’ve been imported
for data collection and validation, given that the driving conditions, fuel
quality and road dust in India are different to markets where Peugeot has a
strong presence. Or it could be a benchmark vehicle sourced by another
manufacturer or OEM supplier to test components. There have been instances in
the past where models not sold in India have been spied testing as benchmark
vehicles.
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