PSA to produce Peugeot 508 in China next year

Shanghai, July 20 (Gasgoo.com) PSA Peugeot has recently released its new Peugeot 508, a large high-end sedan that is also available in touring (wagon) style and is slated to be produced in China next year at Dongfeng-PSA joint venture, the company said last week.

The Peugeot 508 will make its official debut at the 2010 Paris Auto Show this October and then be launched to the European market in the first quarter of next year, and then be introduced to the China market in mid-2011.

According to Peugeot, the 508 has been designed to reduce weight, enhance environmental efficiency and improve aerodynamics.

Reportedly, the 508 is expected to get PSA's new e-HDi Stop & Start system, already seen on the Citroen C4, and is also likely to carry Peugeot's diesel-electric HYbrid4 drive system, providing 200bhp, all-wheel drive and emissions of 99g/km or zero in electric-only mode. 

As for its future development strategy in China, the French carmaker said it will cooperate with its local partner Dongfeng Motor to put one-two new models to the Chinese market every year, and the 508 sedan will be a major strategic model. PSA will launch the model to the global markets simultaneously.

By introducing more and more new models to China, PSA has clearly shown its intention of grabbing a bigger share in the world's largest auto market.