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Interview: Martin Gurney, Peugeot UK Fleet Director

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Author: | Updated: 09 Apr 2014 13:54

Replacing Phil Robson as Peugeot’s Director of Fleet and Used Vehicles at the start of 2014, Martin Gurney has landed in Pug’s fleet seat at an exciting time for the brand.

With the 208 and 308 making great in-roads with fleets along with some exciting developments in the pipeline, we picked Martin’s brains over what lies ahead for Peugeot.

ContractHireAndLeasing: How have you found settling into your new role as Peugeot’s new fleet boss? What kind of attributes and experience do you feel you bring to the brand?

Martin Gurney: Like in any new role, the benefits of a refreshed email inbox are soon outweighed by the matters in hand, but I’d have to say I’ve timed it really well and at Peugeot, we are certainly on a roll.

Having been with Peugeot since the mid-90s, in a variety of different functions, I’d like to think I bring very broad understanding of our business and the many areas that impact upon our success in the fleet market.

Martin Gurney, Peugeot's new fleet boss. Likes: an empty inbox, the 205 GTi. Dislikes: Jeremy Vine, middle lane hoggers

CHAL: The new 308 has been met with a very warm welcome so far.
What do you feel it has over mega-selling rivals such as VW’s Golf and the Ford Focus?

MG: You could say 308 has got off to a great start; winning the European Car of the Year accolade is about as good as it gets!

The 308 beats the competition pretty convincingly in many key areas; that can be clearly seen on paper and is also being firmly borne out by the comments we are receiving from customers and prospects who have experienced the car.

Superb build quality, class-leading equipment levels and a dynamic and efficient design, coupled with highly competitive BIK rates, SMR costs and residual values, just about sums it up.

CHAL: Aye, many were shocked when the 308 was named European Car of the Year, ahead of the tech-laden BMW i3 and Tesla Model S.
Has this accolade sparked greater interest from fleet car buyers?

MG: We weren’t shocked at all; we were delighted at winning. While there is an understandable appetite amongst the UK eCOTY judges for game-changers (and I’d argue we have those as well), 308 deals so well with today’s real world requirements it’s an obvious winner.

Interest in 308 from fleets has been strong since before the launch, and I expect the eCOTY award to further bolster interest levels as the year goes on.

many were shocked when the 308 was named European Car of the Year, ahead of the tech-laden BMW i3 and Tesla Model S.

CHAL: The longer 308 SW with its class-leading 660 litre boot is expected this spring, presumably you expect its arrival to boost the 308’s appeal?

MG: 308 SW arrives in the UK from 19th June, bringing with it yet more class-leading attributes, including the amazing PureTech 3-cylinder petrol and BlueHDi Euro 6 diesel engines – both are revelations. I urge everyone to try them.

CHAL: The 208 has become a regular fixture in the SMMT’s top ten most registered cars every month.
What do you feel are the supermini’s most attractive attributes for company car drivers and fleet decision makers?

MG: With 208, we have a very modern compact car, lighter than its processor, using highly-efficient engines and offering customer-friendly features such as a touchscreen display.

It offers a clean and distinctive, stylish and upmarket look that is going down well with our customers, who want to be seen as a cut above the rest, and yet it’s ‘still affordable’.

"With 208, we have a very modern compact car"

CHAL: Peugeot recently announced that the 100,000th 2008 Crossover had rolled off the production line, with UK demand 35% above its original target.
Again, which qualities do you think have helped the 2008 surpass expectations?

MG: The 2008 Crossover brings the virtues of the 3008 Crossover, but with the benefits of being more compact.

The top-models have Grip Control as standard, offering almost 4x4 levels of grip without any loss of efficiency, but there’s strong appeal across the range and customers are attracted by the modern design, high specification and very strong residual values.

CHAL: The 107 city car is reborn as the 108 later this year, how you expect its new found upmarket looks to connect with fleets?

MG: We’ve long been a very popular brand of compact cars, but the market is changing. No matter what the vehicle size, customers are individuals and they demand value, specification, connectivity and the opportunity for personalisation.

We have all of that, and more, in the new 108 – which is a delight to drive and engage with. It’ll extend the ability for fleets to satisfy their driver’s needs and requirements.

The 107 will be reborn as the more upmarket 108 later in 2014

CHAL: A hybrid powertrain which uses air compression to boost fuel return by 30% is expected to go into production in 2016, how excited are you about its arrival?

MG: The potential of HYbrid Air is considerable and a real-world game-changer.

It brings tangible returns, in lower CO2 and fuel economy, without the expense and weight penalties of battery-storage hybrids, so we can’t wait for it to arrive; many of our customers are already asking about it.

CHAL: A new range of petrol engines – labelled ‘PureTech’ - will start to appear in the 108, 208, 2008 and 308 through 2014. They are touted to improve fuel economy by around 18% but will miss out on the double-digit CO2 output found in some of Peugeot’s e-HDi units. How relevant do think these PureTech engines will be to business car drivers?

MG: Without question, Peugeot has developed a reputation for excellence in its compact diesel engines, but with PureTech, the time has come for fleets to seriously consider Peugeot for petrol engines too.

This three-cylinder engine is quite simply a gem and the PureTech 1.2-litre e-THP 130 Turbo is a revelation, producing maximum torque from 1,750rpm. So with excellent real-world performance, and highly competitive whole life costs, the PureTech engines will be totally relevant to business car drivers.

The frugal PureTech petrol units will appear in the 108, 208, 2008 and 308 this year

And rounding off with some lighter questions…

Q: What car do you drive for your daily commute?
A: Peugeot RCZ GT Diesel

Q: What was the first car you owned?
A: Peugeot 205 Style Diesel

Q: What is your ideal driving soundtrack?
A: I’m quite happy with my iPod on shuffle; I’ve a highly eclectic taste in music and never know what’s coming next. Otherwise, I leave it to BBC Radio 2.

Q: Which habits of today’s motorists drive you insane?
A: Two things: Hogging the middle or outside lane on the motorway, and not saying “thank you”

Q: Who would be your ideal roadtrip buddy?
A: Chris Evans.

Q: And your worst?
A: Jeremy Vine (sorry; I’m stuck in Radio 2 mode now and can’t think of anyone more annoying for the moment).

Q: If you could have any Peugeot in the world sat on your driveway, what would it be and why?
A: A factory-fresh 205 GTi 1.9; it’s arguably the car that founded Peugeot’s mainstream appeal and growth in the UK and, believe it or not, I’ve never driven one.
I’d imagine it’s a tad more sprightly than my normally aspirated 205 Diesel!

Q: And widening that question, if you could have any car ever…
A: I’m not a huge fan of classic cars, so I’d go for something new – probably an Aston Martin Vanquish, but I’d agonise for months before I finally decided.

Martin Gurney replaced Phil Robson as Peugeot’s Director of Fleet and Used Vehicles at the start of 2014

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