Peugeot 308 and Volkswagen Golf, crossed destinies?
How long can the Volkswagen Golf still hold at the top of its category?Can the new Peugeot 308 reverse the trend?The answer comes down once again to one thing: ...
18/09/2022
How long can the Volkswagen Golf still hold at the top of its category?Can the new Peugeot 308 reverse the trend?The answer comes down once again to one thing: the image.
For many, the eighth generation of Volkswagen Golf is a slight regression compared to the previous model.Especially in terms of the quality of assemblies and materials, but also and above all ergonomics.The Golf 7 may be a little too sober, it does not prevent it was a model of ergonomics and quality on board.With its very generous mechanical offer, a well -known double clutch automatic transmission and technologies directly inherited from Audi, Golf is logically the best sale of compact sedans in Europe.And the best sale in short.
But for how long ?Can the new Peugeot 308, which begins the stripping, prick its place?In fact, having a good product is not enough.We saw it with the Golf 7, it is not necessarily the favorite of design that made its success, but other things, much more objective: measured discount, VW network extended in Europe.These are two things that are measured.
Faced with Volkswagen, Peugeot cannot compete in the network of distributors.But the lion has made progress in terms of quality (even if we are still clearly a notch below the rigor of the construction of a golf 7 or an arteon for the 508), technologies and design.
But then, why could the new 308 not become the best sale in its category?After all, the Golf 8 leaves more difficult than its predecessor, and the 308 surfs on the upmarket of Peugeot...
First, this cannot happen in a change of generation.But also because there is always this sacrosanct image problem: Volkswagen is a German brand, and German cars have always been more popular than the French in northern Europe, East and even,A little, in France.The 308 may be more technological, cheaper (and still, it is to be confirmed for the next generation that will be launched this year), more habitable: in a mature and conservative market like Europe, the lioness will come off againto a bone.At most the 308 will be able to save a place by doubling the focus, thanks to the release of the United Kingdom from Europe (the Ford are very popular across the Channel).The first place seems despite everything out of reach.Unless...