Auto Trophy 2010: the Peugeot 508 picks up first accolade in Germany

Readers of Auto Zeitung gave the Peugeot 508 first prize in its category ahead of 18 rival models.

The Auto Trophy awards have been given out for 23 years by readers of the German fortnightly auto magazine, Auto Zeitung (circulation of 200,000).

For the 2010 prize-winners, the 103,848 participating readers chose from 400 models present or due for imminent launch on the German market split into several categories.

Even before its commercial launch, with an impressive 18.2% of votes cast the new Peugeot 508 has beaten 18 competitors to the top prize in the “Import” ranking of the “Mittelklasse” category, which is at the heart of demand on the German market.

Jean-Marc Gales, a member of the PSA Peugeot Citroën Managing Board and Executive Vice-President Brands accepted the prize at the Auto Trophy awards evening on 23 November in Dusseldorf, and declared:
“The Peugeot 508 marks the return of Peugeot in the large touring car segment. Its style and appeal combined with its sheer quality and new generation technologies, illustrate Peugeot’s ambitions in this category of the market. The vote by readers of Auto Zeitung, several months before its launch, gives us considerable grounds for optimism as to its future commercial success”.

With the 508, Peugeot is reaffirming its presence and ambitions on one of its traditional segments, that of large touring cars. It will be marketed as of February 2011 in Europe, in its two Saloon and SW models, and will offer a range of eight engine sizes from 82 to 150 kW (112 to 204 hp) performing to the highest environmental standards, including an e-HDi (new generation Stop and Start system) version. In 2012, the 508 will be enhanced by the power train of the HYbrid4 diesel hybrid.

With the 508, Peugeot is pushing ahead with its international offensive and the vehicle will be produced in China for the world’s biggest market as of the second half 2011.

Peugeot
Peugeot is the only brand to offer an integral mobility product range with cars and light commercial vehicles, scooters, bicycles and a wide range of services. Present in 160 countries with 10,000 points of contact, Peugeot combines necessity and emotion all over the world. Strengthened by 200 years of inspiration, in 2010 Peugeot is modernising its style lines, its visual identity, adding to its mobility product range and stating its international ambitions. The Marque is continuing its development with the launches of the RCZ, an exclusive model, the i0n, a 100% electric vehicle, the 408 in China, and three new models in Latin America.