PEUGEOT new car sales in the UK went from strength to strength in 2002, with a record total of 208,900 sales compared to the total market of 2,563,000.

Peugeot secured an 8.15 per cent market share, consolidating its position at number three in the manufacturers' league table for the fifth consecutive year behind Ford and Vauxhall.

Sales of Peugeot LCVs reached a record high of 15,345 units, giving Peugeot a six per cent market share. With a new Partner van introduced in late 2002, this figure is set to increase further in 2003.

The 206 was the most successful Peugeot model in 2002, with sales passing 100,000 units for the first time since its launch in 1998. It led the retail car market for the year, proving to be the number one choice for private buyers for the second consecutive year and it finished fourth overall in total sales.

The 206 model line-up increased in 2002 with the introduction of the 206 SW, a lifestyle estate variant. The much-anticipated 206 GTi 180 goes on sale this June to further strengthen the diversity of the 206 range.

In its first full year of sales, the 307 represented more than 58,000 units for Peugeot.

In 2003, the introduction of the stylish 307 Coupe Cabriolet and the increasing success of the versatile 307 SW and Estate models should boost sales of this growing range.

With diesel sales continuing to increase due to company car tax and ever improving refinement in diesel technology, Peugeot recorded a 12.7 per cent market share. Total Peugeot diesel sales of more than 76,000 units represented growth of 20 per cent compared to 2001, largely thanks to the ever-broadening range of HDi diesel engines. Three Peugeot models featured in the diesel top ten for the year: 307 (fourth), 206 (seventh) and 406 (ninth).