19 June 2018

Peugeot is aiming to solve vehicle supply issues caused by WLTP regulations with a team of people dedicated to managing retailer orders.  The switch from NEDC mpg and CO2 testing to WLTP testing is causing shortages of supply at many brands due to homologation issues.  Under regulations for the changeover, car makers producing NEDC compliant cars in June and August only have until 31 August this year to sell or register these vehicles, so many have already stopped production until they are WLTP compliant.

However, NEDC tested cars built up until 31 May this year can be sold new up to August 2019.  Speaking exclusively to Auto Retail Agenda, Peugeot managing director, David Peel said: “Official guidance on timing and requirements has been very late and not clear.  We have a situation with some of our vehicles where we have a gap in production.  We’ve increased our production on vehicles that we know will have a gap in production.  The biggest gap we’ve got is about two to three months.

“When a dealer sells the car, the dealer contacts our task force, they will qualify what type of customer is going to take the car and when.  So, if you’re a customer that wants a vehicle in June, July or August, we are going to allocate you a vehicle built in June.    If you’re a customer that puts an order in and wants the car for September, we’re going to allocate you one built in May.

“Talking to our dealer partners, we seem to be in a much better position than some.  The way we’ve communicated with our network is better than a lot of the other manufacturers today.”

Meanwhile, production of up 250,000 VW group models could be delayed in the second half of the year because of WLTP. A VW spokesman said: “Because of the introduction of the new WLTP testing procedure, we expect in the second half of 2018 an effect at the VW group of around 200,000 to 250,000 vehicles that we will build later than originally planned.”

* Read the full interview with David Peel covering his plans for the Peugeot network in next month’s issue of Auto Retail Bulletin.

Tags: NEDC, Peugeot, VW, WLTP