KADUNA, Nigeria — Dangote Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria Limited (DPAN) has taken a major step toward reclaiming its dominance in the country’s auto market with the assembly of the Peugeot 3008 GT model at its Kaduna plant.
The new model, which features a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, joins the existing lineup of ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ Peugeot vehicles, including the popular 301 sedan and the seven-seater 5008 SUV.
“With the 3008 GT, we are expanding our product offering to meet the evolving demands of Nigerian motorists,” DPAN’s Chief Commercial Officer Umar Isa-Kaita said in a recent statement.
The premium SUV boasts advanced safety features, including eight airbags, lane departure warning, and electronic child safety locks. It also comes equipped with Peugeot’s signature I-Cockpit, a 12.3-inch head-up display, and an 8-inch touchscreen interface.
Beyond passenger vehicles, DPAN is also set to enter the light commercial vehicle segment with the Peugeot Landtrek 4×2 pickup truck, known for its ruggedness. A four-wheel-drive variant may follow.
Isa-Kaita confirmed that DPAN is in talks with auto dealerships across Nigeria to expand its sales and after-sales service network, ensuring greater accessibility and support for Peugeot owners.
The Kaduna-based automaker, backed by billionaire Aliko Dangote’s conglomerate alongside the Kaduna, Plateau, and Kebbi state governments, is ramping up production to restore Peugeot’s status as a household name in Nigeria.
DPAN Managing Director Ibrahim Isa Gachi reiterated the company’s commitment to delivering on its promise made in 2022, when it launched the 301 sedan. “With a capacity to assemble 120 vehicles daily, we are steadily bringing Peugeot back to the forefront of the Nigerian auto industry,” Gachi said.
Once a dominant force in the 1980s and early 1990s, Peugeot’s Nigerian presence declined due to economic challenges and policy shifts. Now, with DPAN’s strategic moves, the roaring lion emblem aims to reclaim its lost ground.
