April 9: Here they come!

"Here they come!"

When you see a headline like that in this blog, you are probably thinking, another rant about the new stuff from China. Not so today folks. Keep in mind that the North American car market is the biggest in the world. Oops, correction, the second biggest in the world. For #1, there is that outlier, China, once again by a huge margin. How about twenty eight million vehicles sold per year compared to North America's eighteen million. But the company that has opened a head office in Atlanta, as a precursor to selling cars here, may best be remembered by this TV icon........

Maybe those of a uncertain age may recall the old heap that Peter Falk, as Lt Columbo, drove in the TV police drama Columbo. This rusty cabrio was a Peugeot 403. Remember them? I didn't think so. Drown in the tidal wave from Japan with not many strong products, this French company packed up and headed home in 1991. Seems like only about thirty years ago. But things change.

They aren't the only ones who have looked covetously at the car sales on our shores. Look at Fiat trying unsuccessfully to get a small slice of our car market. Next up, Alfa Romeo, who may actually succeed in spite of themselves. Now Peugeot has opened an office stateside and this past weekend showed up at a car event in Atlanta with a new 508GT.........

Picture courtesy of Jalopnik

Yes, this old French brand, who have been around for well over a hundred years, wants to join our party and intends to do so by 2026 latest. A long time and an eternity in the car business, this shows that they intend to take their time and do things right.

Remember when they were here years ago?

No, these two weren't quite seen on every corner, but it was a relatively popular brand and not too costly. I remember a guy in my junior high class, whose dad had a new black 404. Seemed like quite a step up from the junk he had been driving.

I guess it makes sense, that if any European company is going to try to crack our market again, it should be Peugeot from the powerhouse PSA Group (Peugeot, Citroen, DS), who recently added Opel/Vauxhall, bought from GM.

Will this name mean much to us? Excellent question. They have some time to figure out how to position themselves over here. Maybe they should emphasize beauty, since in the past they've offered up some sweet concoctions (not including Columbo's heap) and that 508GT is certainly a looker.......

Or maybe they should emphasize their toughness, as it seems that they can carry anything..........

..........and in some places, they seem to last forever, regardless of their condition........

Whatever Peugeot is thinking would be a good lead in to their foray over here, that candidate better have suv written large all over it. Add in the beauty contestants later, once they've gotten everyone's attention. What might those products be? Topic for another blog, but one thing is sure, if they take until 2026, anything currently offered will be old news, but it will give us a taste.

Until next time......