Peugeot has reported a 31% growth in registrations across its award-winning car range. The brand has taken 5% of the Irish passenger car market and 6.5% of the light commercial vehicle market, to give a total of 5.2% combined market share during the crucial first 10-days of January 2013. The results mean Peugeot is the number one French brand in Ireland and ranks in seventh position in the market place overall. The news comes as figures show an overall decline of 19.5% in the market.

The newly launched Peugeot 208, Continental Irish Small Car of the Year 2013, is fast-becoming a best-seller and accounts for much of Peugeot’s growth.

George Harbourne, Peugeot Managing Director said, “This is a great performance by Peugeot in Ireland and I am particularly pleased with the immediate success of the exciting new 208. Fuelled by Peugeot Ireland’s confident move to an extended warranty to offer five years peace of mind motoring, our additional consumer offers of one year’s free road tax and a VRT price freeze ensured our Dealer Network enjoyed strong pre-Christmas orders.”

He continued, “What is particularly pleasing is this growth is being driven by consumer demand; it is retail business. A stylish, economical and award-winning range, matched to a five year warranty has made Peugeot the choice for many in 2013.”

The new Peugeot 208 was awarded Continental Irish Small Car of the Year 2013 by the Irish Motoring Writers’ Association. This most recent award is the sixth Irish Car of the Year accolade for Peugeot in just three years: the Peugeot 3008 won its category for best Crossover and the overall award to become Irish Car of the Year 2010; the Peugeot 5008 MPV was awarded Irish Family Car of the Year 2011; the RCZ was named Irish Performance Car of the Year 2011; the Peugeot 508 was voted Irish Family Car of the Year 2012.

The new Peugeot 208, Continental Irish Small Car of the Year 2013, retails from €14,785 plus dealer delivery related charges. Customers who register their new Peugeot 208 up to the 31st January will qualify for five years peace of mind motoring plus one year’s free road tax.