Product news : Peugeot ( France ) launches its three-wheeled scooter

The French brand hopes to compete with the leading European Piaggio. 

Peugeot launched Thursday, May 2, the commercialization of its first three-wheeled scooter, named Metropolis, which it intends to compete with Europe's leading Piaggio MP3 . 

Sales of the new model started at a price of 8899 euros in dealerships in France, before the launch in other European countries in the coming year, said the spokesman of the group . 

Peugeot Scooters hopes to take about 30% of the European market for three-wheelers by selling "futures" of 6000 by Metropolis year, said Bart Frederick, spokesman for the subsidiary of automaker motorcycles. 

Ultra-dominated by Piaggio, which launched its three-wheeled MP3 end of 2006, the European market is now at 16,000 units per year and is expected to grow, says Bart. 

Peugeot has the same goal of 30% in France, by far the largest market focus since eight three-wheeler sales in ten in Europe, he said. 

The Metropolis, designed and manufactured at the headquarters of Peugeot Motorcycles Mandeure has required an investment of 25 million euros, "the most important" in the history of the French factory. Launch generates the recruitment of 100 temporary on this site 550 permanent employees, said Mr. Bart, stating that "85% of its parts" come from Europe. 

This new three-wheeler is "the cornerstone" of a program to develop high-end products, said the spokesman. 

Peugeot Scooters is engaged on a plan to restore fiscal balance sheet, after more than ten years of losses. He removed the last year 200 jobs with the closure of the engine plant Dannemarie (Haut-Rhin), whose production was repatriated to Mandeure. 

According to the manufacturer, if the scooter sales decline every year in Europe, the emerging market for three-wheelers should remain growth with its strengths and possible safety driving a car license.

Source in French original language AFP