Peugeot 608: Could Peugeot Challenge BMW If They Were Sold In The USA?

You're joking, right? Peugeot's image in the U.S., at least among us who can remember Peugeot, is that of a French Volvo. The Peugeot 608 might very well be all you claim, but changing that staid image will take a long time.

I agree with 001.

not just that but they were awful cars when they were on sale here, seriously horrible, hopefully they have fixed all the problems they had....they were never really competition for BMW but more a French VW of the time

Agent001, what's with all the Peugeot stuff? Interesting, considering no posts here regarding Le Mans.

I just think they have great designs along with Alfa...some even cooler than the reigning kings...

001

I really agree with 001.

Peugeot has great diesel engines. Now is the time to make a comeback. Marketingwise.

I dont trust the reliability of Peugeot. There have been a couple of nightmare stories about them and a relative of mine rented a new 307 for about a month. It had a transmission failure.

I like the look of this car, want to see it in person to really get a sense of the presence I think it has. Peugeot would be a great addition to American soil again, they truly have some cars that simply don't look like everything else on the roads.

-00J

It takes more than styling to make a good car.It would take decades and Billions in dealer infrastructure.It would take decades.Not going to happen.

With a nose like that i would rather drive a Scion xA.

Peugeot and BMW are not exactly close rivals.

Especially when you consider Peugeot does not make many large cars, their 407 (their largest mass-seller) is squarely aimed at the Mondeo crowd, while the 607, although a bigger car, was seen as a cheaper 5-series rival but missed the mark completely.

It sold in low numbers, even in Europe, due to the fact no one wants a large French car. The French do small cars very well, but in recent times their larger efforts have not seen much sales success, and only moderate critical acclaim.

The Renault Val Satis, Avantime, Peugeot 607 and Citroen C6 have always been seen as 'left-field', often characterised by daring styling, supremely comfortable to drive but not exactly dynamically well-endowed.

Perhaps this suits the typical American buyer better than the average European? Although I can't see many Americans warming to the daring designs of the French.

I guess the Peugeot 607 could be compared to the Volvo S80, although you'd never hear 001 call the S80 a BMW rival, even though its a great car.

So this entire thread puzzles me. How can you make a claim like in the title with no actual experience with the cars in question, just a rough-guess photoshop image and some hazy journalistic licence?

And just to note, I love French cars, however I can just see them put up to the ridiculous scrutiny and close-mindedness of many a Autospies reader, so I can assume my voice will be a lone one.

woo thats a sexy Peugeot
PUEGEOT POWER!
lmaooo

many Americans know what peugoet is
since they are from South America, Europe, Asia and middle east!
where Peugeot's are sold.

Are these the knowledgeable Autospies readers you talk about, 001? These obvious trolls?

Ban him, and perhaps he can find a new direction in life.

They are very much in business and doing very well in the volume sector around the world. Just go to Africa or the Middle East to see tons of them. They are actually quite reliable and very solid cars. Crawl out of your hole already.

In Europe Peugeot is seen as a Ford or Volkswagen rival, infact VW would have a much higher brand cache here than Peugeot would. They are making some nice products at the moment, but i can't see this 608 selling any better than any other large French car here in Europe, and will largely be seen as nothing more than a rival to the Citroën C6.

The 607 was only bought by taxi drivers and the French government - nobody else wants a big non-premium French car. This 608 is more of a Camry rival in the US, but we don't get any large non-premium cars in Europe (bar this and the C6). Plus Peugeot's reliability isn't that great, lots of electrical problems.

And VW definitely has more brand cachet.

Just because something's European doesn't make it a BMW rival. Citroen, Renault, Peugeot, VW, Seat, Fiat, Skoda...they don't rival BMW, they're cheap, mass market cars. Some are good, some aren't, and many have no place in the US market as you would find them slow, small and far too fuel efficient.

bmw has spent years and millions to make everyone believe its the "ultimate driving machine" whether it is or isnt can be debated, but i don't its possible for a company like Peugeot to make an impact of the American market that quickly.

i do agree that alot of their designs are great

Every "next" big Peugeot has been touted as "finally" being able to rival the premium makes - and they never do. This one will be no different - another slow selling big French car. From what we can see from this picture, it at least looks good, with the MAJOR exception of the hideous front end, which rivals only the ugliness of other current Peugeots.

Now this is all coming from someone who has always, or at least until recently, loved Peugeots. I loved the big old 504's and the later 505's, and even the 604's, plus all the great small models like the 205's and 405's and 406's. Even the 607 was nice looking, but bland. French cars were different than their German counterparts - they rode really softly and I never sat in a seat more comfortable than a Peugeot's 505's.

If they brought this over and priced it against a BMW, they'd sell 10 cars. Someone put it best - at least here in the US, they're probably thought of as French Volvos, which is no bad thing. Regardless, I don't think this would sell.

5 series competitor? With those engine choices??? One Word... LAME!!!

Peugeot is certainly not a BMW competitor but I would surely pick one over the Toyotas or Hondas sold in US.

@ Start: I'd do the same but based entirely on design, not quality.

Peugeot is closer to VW.

I've always loved French cars. There has always been an element of quirkiness to them. Also they ride exceptionaly well. All cars today are better made then they were 25 yrs ago. The market demands it.Peugeot should come back to the US but with small economical cars first to compete with VW and Mini etc.I also hope the Citroen returns. I would love a C6!

I agree mini22, plus vive le difference!

Peugeot DOES make the '07 to present MINI COOPER turbo charged engine for BMW and it is sweet. Rivals? never.

BMW has legions of marketing geniuses to overcharge for their products... don't know if Peugeot's marketing would be as skillful :)

I'm sure you meant to say Lexus "has legions of marketing geniuses to overcharge for their products"

Huu76,

BMW sells incredible cars not just rebadged economy cars like Lexus. Without marketing Lexus is just a better equipped Toyota we all know it. BMW on the other hand hardly needs any help from the marketing department. EVERYBODY knows they make fantastic cars.
It is obvious that the BMW uses the money to acquire the best engineers and best quality materials for their cars while Lexus invests everything in their marketing department. Apparently Lexus knew better that in America and Canada marketing is a more powerful tool than selling a quality product. The rest of the world however doesn't fall for the cheap tricks Lexus marketing team uses to sell cars in America, and they still prefer the REAL THING Made in Germany.

Agent001- Peugeot 608: Could Peugeot Challenge BMW If They Were Sold In The USA? That is not the title of the article I just read. Agent001, are you insane? It was asking if Peugeot's interiors can compete with BMW, etc... Did anyone else happen to notice this?

Other than the behemoth sized badges they're nice cars. I had the 1.9gti back in the 80's smoking car. They may to have to rebadge for the US market as the french here are not exactly popular a bit like Renault's Nissan relationship!