Peugeot 4007 from Russia with love

RUSSIA could provide the break Peugeot Australia needs to source the 4007 SUV.

Faced with production shortages of the vehicle, which is based on the Mitsubishi Outlander, Peugeot Australia is looking to a new Russian operation to produce the joint-venture vehicle and free up some supply.

Peugeot Australia managing director Rob Dommerson said the 4007 would not come to Australia this year, but was hoping the all-wheel drive crossover could land here at some stage next year if supply could be secured.

“The 4007 is a Mitsubishi joint-venture and the issue is, once again, they haven’t built enough volume. My understanding is that they are looking at factory in Russia and then the volume might come up,” he said.

Mr Dommerson said Peugeot Australia would love to get its hands on the 4007.

“We wanted it 18 months ago. We only play in the passenger car market and the fact is that playing only in the passenger car market we are still the number four European,” he said.

“Volkswagen demonstrates that if you play in an SUV market and commercial market and so on, the numbers they did last year, they are number 10 in the market. We are saying to Peugeot there is an oppourtunity.” He said there may be some initial questions about Peugeot introducing an SUV, but added that the Mitsubishi platform was tried and tested and that potential customers would be impressed by the product.

Mr Dommerson said most customers wouldn’t mind the fact the 4007 is based on a Mitsubishi, saying that joint-developments are now an accepted automotive practice.

“The customer is going to make the decision about the product on face value after they drive it. Branding and sourcing are not issues,” he said.

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