According to a report on Largus.fr, the 2023 Peugeot e-208 (facelift) will see its production shift from Trnava in Slovakia to Zaragoza in Spain. It is to be noted that only the e-208’s production is relocating to Spain; the combustion models will be made in Kenitra, Morocco. The Zaragoza plant, which Opel has used to make the Corsa since 1982, already produces the Opel Corsa-e, which is technically related to the e-208.
Why is production of the 2023 Peugeot e-208 shifting?
According to the publication, the capacity of the Trnava plant would be utilised to make cars on the CMP Entry platform, part of Stellantis Group’s Smart Cars project. Largus reports this plant will make the European Citroen C3, in addition to replacements for the C3 Aircross (Citroen CC24) and Opel Crossland (Opel OV24) in 2024. Further, Largus reports Fiat would use the CMP Entry platform for successors to the Multipla and Panda, indicating that these models’ production centre would also be Slovakia.
On the second-gen Peugeot e-208 (2026)
According to Largus, Zaragoza will produce successors of the Corsa-e and e-208 from around 2026, which is when these models are expected. They will be based on the STLA Small platform, and where the next-gen Corsa (Opel OV31) will transition to electric-only, the next 208 (Peugeot P31) will offer a hybrid variant for customers who aren’t ready to embrace EVs. Largus says this hybrid 208 will not be based on STLA, but the current platform that could be called “Peugeot 208+”.
This will further align with each brand’s ambitions: Opel wants to become zero-emissions by 2028 and Peugeot by 2030.
Expectations from the 2023 Peugeot e-208
Apart from a cosmetic refresh that will incorporate the new lighting on the Lion’s look, fangs and claws, the 2023 Peugeot e-208 is rumoured to see technical advancements, which should increase its range. Even with the 2022 model, the e-208 saw a small improvement to its range performance thanks to a revised gearbox ratio, a new heat pump that improves cabin comfort and thereby reduces consumption, and new low rolling resistance tyres. The range moved from 211 miles (2019 model) to 225 miles (WLTP range figures), which should creep up in 2023.
The e-208 has done well for Peugeot in Europe, as it has accounted for 20 per cent of 208 sales which exceeded the company’s expectations of 10-15 per cent. Peugeot electric vehicles (the e-208 and e-2008) have fared well in sales contributing to 20 per cent of brand sales in December 2021, as they are also bought as the second car in the family and hence range performance is not paramount.
Featured Image – Artist Kleber Silva’s rendering of the 2023 Peugeot 208 from Behance.net
