Peugeot’s pickup truck, the Landtrek is heading to ASEAN after all. This as it was caught testing in Malaysia, and its mention in an RHB Investment Bank analyst report.
Despite the French brand being known more for hatchbacks and crossovers, it wanted a bigger piece of the Latin America and African automotive pie where pickup trucks are big sellers. Now, it seems they want a larger presence in ASEAN as well, and to do that, they very well knew they needed a pickup truck here as well.
Set for a debut next year in Malaysia, where it will be built, the Landtrek is the newest Peugeot vehicle to be assembled there following Peugeot’s full takeover of former assembler Naza’s operations. It joins the refreshed 3008 and 5008 as well as the upcoming 2008.
The difference with the Landtrek is that development is done not by Peugeot, but by Landtrek joint-venture partner, Changan (the Landtrek is also known as the Changan Hunter or Kaicene F70). Despite its Chinese origins, Peugeot says it’s been engineered to international standards and has undergone two million kilometers of testing. It packs either a 1.9-liter diesel engine making 150 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque, or a gas-fed 2.4-liter with 210 horsepower and 320 Nm of torque. It comes in both 4x2 and 4x4 versions.
In its top-trim guise, it has 235 mm of ground clearance, a water wading depth of 600 mm, 29 degrees of approach, and 27 degrees of departure angle.
While Changan has taken charge of the Landtrek’s development, it still looks pretty much like a Peugeot down to the vertical grille featuring the Peugeot Lion crest, and vertical LED lighting. Wheel sizes go up to 18 inches. Inside, it comes with a two-spoke steering wheel nicked from the 3008, and a 10-inch floating infotainment display from the 508. Making the Landtrek’s interior unique is its split-folding rear seats. With them folded, it can support a weight of up to 100 kilograms.
The availability of the Landtrek is a shot in the arm that Peugeot Philippines desperately needs at the moment. While the French brand has enjoyed a slew of new or refreshed products globally, its local distributor continues to sell previous versions of the Malaysian-assembled 3008 and 5008 which are beginning to be long in the tooth.
If the Price is Right it's gonna be the Best selling vehicle of Peugeot in the Philippines. But it's instrument panel Gauge looks like taken from Chery models. Nevertheless a New Era for the French carmaker in the market. Now Up to the local distributor what to do if they fail hope not.
ReplyDeletePickup truck buyers, usually the Titos, are arguably the most traditional of customers. It will be very difficult to convince them to try out a unfamiliar brand. If Mazda can't even convince buyers to get their truck instead of Isuzu, how much more difficult would it be for a euro brand.
ReplyDeleteBetter if 2008 instead
DeleteExactly 2008 is perfect for new car buyers. New car buyers are more likely to not have a brand preference yet and more open to try a new brand (see the the success of Chinese brands here).
DeleteIt might even get a good tax rate if they opt for the 1.2 turbo.
Under-powered pricey European Brand.
ReplyDeleteThe Landtrek is about as much a Peugeot as the Territory is a Ford.
ReplyDelete