DETERMINED to recover its position as Nigeria’s best selling brand, PAN Nigeria Limited has unveiled the latest generation of the Peugeot 301 sedans in Nigeria.

From left: Alhaji Shehu Sani, GMD ASD Motors, Mr. Bawo Omagbitse GM Sales and Marketing PAN Nigeria, Chief Andrew Okocha, Chairman AC Okocha Motors, Alhaji I Saidu Mohammed, MD ASD Motors, Alhaji Ibrahim Boyi MD/CEO, PAN Nigeria and Alhaji Jumat Alli-Oluwafuyi, ED Finance, PAN Nigeria, during the launch of the new Peugeot 301 in Kaduna.

The unveiling, which took place at PAN’s head office, Kakuri Industrial Estate in Kaduna, attracted both new and old PAN dealers as well as government functionaries, such as the Nigerian Customs Service, Nigerian Prisons, Nigerian Army, Police, and the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC.

Speaking at the unveiling, Managing Director of PAN Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Ibrahim Boyi, said the 301 had been an instant success since it was launched into the global auto market, noting that the 301 series helped PAN to recover its market share which has improved from six per cent in 2015 to eight per cent in 2016.

Boyi who pointed out that PAN wants to reconnect with the emotions and heritage of the brand, added that the brand covers all age groups and that is why there is strong emotional connection.

Putting the price of the new 301 at N5.6 million, Boyi said the car is the most competitively priced in its class, stressing that there is large numbers of Nigerians who like simple functional vehicles like the 301.

Functional vehicles

Alhaji Boyi listed some of the unique features of the new 301 to include good ground clearance, safety features, space, reliability and  comfort. “The new Peugeot 301 reinforces its qualities with new assets. The body is dressed in the latest stylistic codes of the brand. The vertical grille, body set spotlight and neat adjustments embody the sturdiness of the car. The luminous signatures, incorporating LEDs at the front are expressions of the technological content,” he said.

Also speaking, the Yerima Zazzau, Alhaji Munir Ja’Afaru described the 301 as a fantastic vehicle, just as he appealed to Nigerians to patronize made-in-Nigeria vehicles.

Hon Nasiru Babale, representing Tarauni Federal Constituency, Kano, applauded PAN, saying that the new Peugeot is a good one and that Nigerians should patronise the product. He, however, noted that the House had decided to buy Peugeot for their members for their oversight functions due to the unique attributes of the brand.

In his remark, General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Mr Omagbitse Bawo said that the new car is loaded with sophisticated features.  According to the GM, Peugeot 301 offers considerable skill and trunk volume, dynamic behaviour and a design adapted to local requirements.

“At the front is a powerful  face with a wide vertical grille (‘Hot Chrome’ on Allure level or with ‘Chrome Pack’ in Active) surrounding the lion that epitomises the brand’s traditional logo.”  An even more feline look, with refined lights incorporating the “tooth” going up largely is found in the optical block. These headlamps, with black and chromed masks and LED daytime running lights integrated into the bumper, contribute fully to the modernity and identity of the new 301. “The horizontal hood contributes to the feeling of robustness that emerges from the car. That also results in a retracted positioning of the bumper of the new grille for better resistance to small shocks. Laterally, any curious observer would easily notice a “horizontal” hood and new rims for more dynamism. Furthermore, the new 16” wheels highlight the dynamism of the car. The ‘Albury’ style steel rim offers a 16″ economical offer with a rewarding style. The Perth diamond rim brings a lot of dynamism to the profile of the car and participates in the sense of upscale.