Re: Peugeot on NPR
Jean-Marc Calvez (jmcalvez@club-internet.fr)
Thu, 28 Jan 1999 20:12:14 +0100
> Did anybody catch the report on last night about a new type of auto trans
> that Peugeot developed ? Its supposed to create a market for automatics that
> is currently ~ 2% of new cars sold in France.
> GN
>
I can't comment on the report (obviously!) but automatics market share
is no longer stuck at 2% as it was 5 years ago (though I don't know if
this is a good thing...): when I purchase my car 4 years ago, 10% of
cars in its class (equivalent of 406) were automatics already, and I
wouldn't be surprised if that number is now in the 20-25%. Overall, the
current market share for automatics in France is probably around 5%, and
since it is viewed as a "strong growth" segment, there is no wonder that
Peugeot decided to build its own rather than subcontract it to
Zahnradfabrik Friedrischhafen (spelling? Yes, that's the infamous ZF) as
they used to.
Since we french drivers haven't been used to autoboxes, Peugeot can come
up with whatever tricks in their boxes, we would probably consider them
as "normal behaviour". My understanding is that the box tries to provide
some engine braking when needed, and other such niceties targeted
towards the 5-speed manual driver.
My next car will be a manual, though.
--
Jean-Marc Calvez, jmcalvez@club-internet.fr
Grenoble, France
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