The manufacturer also previewed a mock-up of a new Electric Partner, which will go on sale in 2013.
Light commercial vehicle product manager Johnathan Bates said Peugeot’s 40 Level 1 van specialist dealerships would display both the refreshed Partner and Expert vans while the remaining 72 Level 2 specialists would showcase just one of the models, which went on sale in April.
Bates said ATV versions of the Partner and Expert come with a £600 step up in prices, which start at £12,445 and £16,370 respectively.
Both models are on offer in three trim levels S, SE and Professional.
ATV derivatives feature raised suspension, Michelin Agill tyres and a grip control dial enabling the driver to match the ESP to the conditions by selecting mud, snow or sand functions.
“We wanted a genuinely different van that can be used on building sites or by forestry companies,” Bates said.
He predicted that vans fitted with ATV technology could take up to 10% of Partner and Expert sales and claimed that including the grip system as distinct model versions rather than as an option would boost residual values.
For the Electric Partner, Bates said Peugeot was looking at installing charging points at dealerships and would most likely market the product as an all-in purchase rather than with a separate lease for the battery.
Whereas last year Peugeot’s UK sales were weighted towards large fleet deals, such as the contract to supply Bipper vans to the Royal mail, in 2012 Bates said the brand was aiming to target small businesses to a greater extent and claimed it had achieved a better product spread in the first quarter of the year with the Boxer performing strongly.
He said exhibiting at the CV Show provided an opportunity to display the brand’s range in one place, gauge demand and check out competitors’ product.
