Neil Moscrop, Peugeot UK’s new sales director, has set higher car and van sales twinned with better dealer profitability as his aims for 2008.

“I am confident about our prospects with the 308, and we now have the product line-up to make growth possible,” he says.

Year-to-date, Peugeot registrations totalled 130,915 cars, giving a 6.21% market share (virtually identical to 2006 after 10 months).

Moscrop declines to forecast that Peugeot will achieve 7% next year but says: “Every manufacturer needs a profitable retail network to support it. I have always believed the two should have the same agenda.

“This applies equally to dealerships in our franchised network, and to those within Robins & Day.” Moscrop, who joined Peugeot 28 years ago, replaces David Brookman who has retired after almost 40 years with the company.

His wide experience with Peugeot includes work as an operations manager for the carmaker’s Robins & Day network, in which he rose to be responsible for its outlets within the M25.

As sales director, Moscrop heads corporate and direct sales activities in the UK, and he expects 60% of 308 sales to be to fleets.

In a second move, Peugeot has launched a new ‘Peugeot family’ website (www.peugeot-franchise.info), in part intended to make life simpler for dealers interested in taking the franchise. The website also provides information for the existing network.

Peugeot has no plans for an expansion of its network but is thought to be interested in applications from retailers who might replace existing “investors” in the network. The manufacturer has 296 new vehicle dealers, 336 authorised repairers and 312 parts distributors.