Extra locally-assembled (CKD) Peugeot fashions will likely be launched in Malaysia subsequent 12 months, together with the 408, e-2008 in addition to the Landtrek. That is in response to Daniel Gonzalez, chief working officer (ASEAN and common distributors) at Stellantis, in an interview with The Star’s CarSifu.

Specializing in every mannequin individually, the newest 408 made its world debut final June as a fastback crossover (beforehand a sedan that was accessible right here), which has already been sighted being examined on Malaysian roads pretty usually.

The mannequin has already been launched in neighbouring Thailand, the place it’s accessible as a plug-in hybrid with a complete system output of 225 PS and 360 Nm of torque. That is contributed to by a 1.6 litre turbocharged inline-four petrol engine that makes 180 PS and 250 Nm, augmented by an electrical motor rated at 110 PS and 320 Nm.

The PHEV system additionally includes a lithium-ion battery with an power capability of 12.4 kWh, which is sweet for 63 km of pure electrical driving vary following the WLTP cycle. The battery is charged by way of an AC enter, with a full cost taking one hour and 55 minutes at 7.4 kW. In Thailand, the 408 is a fully-imported (CBU) mannequin priced at 2.79 million baht (RM371,429).

Shifting on to the e-2008, the totally electrical crossover was previewed at this 12 months’s Malaysia Autoshow and is anticipated to be launched in the midst of 2024. The electrical car (EV) will be a part of the petrol-powered 2008 that was launched in Malaysia final January and is at the moment priced at RM134,103 on-the-road with out insurance coverage.

When it comes to specs, the e-2008’s lithium-ion battery with a gross power capability of fifty kWh (46.2 kWh web) gives a WLTP-rated vary of 320 km. Energy goes to a front-mounted electrical motor rated at 136 PS and 260 Nm, whereas charging is achieved both by way of a max AC enter of 11 kW (a full cost takes 4.5 hours) or a peak DC enter of 100 kW (0-80% state of cost in half-hour).

Final however not least, there’s the Landtrek, which is a pick-up truck that went on sale right here as CBU product in March 2023. At the moment provided in a single single 1.9D Attract variant priced at RM120,072, the double-cab Landtrek relies on the Changan Kaicene F70 accessible in China. For the CKD model, Gonzalez mentioned the Landtrek will obtain an upgraded suspension however didn’t disclose additional particulars.

He did nonetheless say Stellantis has massive plans for the ASEAN area and its sizeable investments in Malaysia may create alternatives price as much as RM5 billion for native companies. “We now have arrange our regional headquarters in Kuala Lumpur to higher run operations as ‘distant management’ from someplace else doesn’t work. If you wish to develop within the area, we have to localise manufacturing and run issues from location,” Gonzalez mentioned.

“We have to be right here with native abilities and we’re on a recruitment spree. I’ve been having conversations with the federal government and different entities about future enterprise. Stellantis will likely be right here for the long term and never an in-and-out factor. We wish to totally utilise our Gurun plant,” he added.

Stated Gurun plant was beforehand owned by Naza Automotive Manufacturing earlier than it was totally acquired by Stellantis in 2021. Along with Malaysia, the 2008, 3008 and 5008 at the moment produced there are additionally exported to close by markets such because the Philippines, Thailand and Cambodia.

Gonzalez said there’s roadmap in place that would flip Malaysia into Stellantis’ hub for electrified autos within the ASEAN area, with different plans being battery manufacturing in addition to a regional coaching academy. Partnerships with native firms are additionally attainable for charging infrastructure, battery know-how, software program improvement and transportation providers.

The corporate, which was fashioned by the merger of Fiat Chrysler Vehicles (FCA) and Groupe PSA, can also be contemplating introducing the STLA platform that is available in 4 variations, particularly Small, Medium and Giant for passenger autos, whereas Body is for body-on-frame-type autos.

The versatile and modular STLA Medium platform can accommodate inside combustion engines, hybrid techniques, plug-in hybrid techniques and all-electric drivetrains, whereas additionally being scalable for C- and D-segment autos. The STLA Small platform is geared extra in direction of B- and C-segment vehicles, whereas STLA Giant, because it names suggests, is for D- to F-segment autos.

Whereas Stellantis is dedicated to electrification with the STLA platform, Gonzalez mentioned the corporate will look to supply powertrains that finest swimsuit markets within the area. Within the quick time period, he mentioned the purpose is to supply vehicles tailor-made to M40 and T20 patrons, which vehicles constructed on the STLA Medium platform are fitted to.

Whereas there’s loads of speak about Peugeot, Stellantis really has a minimum of 14 manufacturers in its portfolio, with others being Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroen, DS Vehicles, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Ram and Vauxhall.

From that checklist, a couple of reminiscent of Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Jeep must be acquainted to Malaysians, and Gonzalez does see a few of them arriving or making a comeback right here. “We now have a wonderful menu of vehicles that you’ll like. Personally, I see Jeep or Citroen arriving. I definitely get plenty of requests for Alfa Romeo wherever I am going. I’ve additionally gotten some feedback on Fiat,” mentioned Gonzalez.

“And there’s additionally the potential of Ram, our most important pick-up truck model. Within the Asean area, we now have 9 out of our 14 manufacturers. Sooner or later, our focus will likely be on the localised manufacturing. However there will likely be area for area of interest segments. After we opened our Alfa Romeo showroom in Singapore two months in the past, greater than half of the company have been from Malaysia and so they requested me when Malaysia will likely be getting Alfa Romeo vehicles,” he continued.

In 2024, Stellantis could have six localised merchandise (all being Peugeots) in Malaysia, so which of the three new ones (408, e-2008, Landtrek) are your wanting ahead to probably the most? Additionally, what different manufacturers from the Stellantis portfolio are you hoping involves our market?

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