Report: Peugeot e-2008, Landtrek & 408 CKD Coming to Malaysia in 2024

Stellantis is launching three locally-assembled (CKD) Peugeot models into our market next year

Stellantis has a pretty big and ambitious expansion plan, as the automotive conglomerate is set to expand its wings on the burgeoning South East Asia (SEA) market. Aside from pushing for more STLA Medium-based EV models to the region, the firm is also planning to launch several locally-assembled (CKD) Peugeot models into our local market next year.

Speaking to CarSifu (The Star), Stellantis COO for the ASEAN region Daniel Gonzalez has confirmed that the three Peugeot CKD models set to debut in the Malaysian market next year are the e-2008 EV SUV, the Landtrek pick-up truck, as well as the new 408.

Several Peugeot 408s were spotted ongoing road tests in Peninsula Malaysia earlier this year

Starting off with the latter, the current-gen 408 arrives in a new liftback crossover body style, ditching the previous three-box sedan body style of its predecessor. Previously spotted doing road-tests in west coast Peninsula Malaysia, the lion-badge liftback model has already been launched in Thailand, arriving in a single plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant.

Said PHEV powertrain consists of a 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbocharged petrol mill that is mated to an electric motor to deliver a total system output of 225 PS and 360 NM. Said PHEV variant is juiced by a small 12.4-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which grants the 408 with a maximum EV range of 63 KM, according to the WLTP cycle. The pack will take about one hour and 55 minutes to be fully-charged via a 7.4 kW onboard AC charger.

Fully-imported (CBU) from France, the Peugeot 408 PHEV is tagged at THB 2.79 million (RM371,429) in the Thai market. However, our local market will be getting a CKD model instead, so we can expect its hefty price tag to shrink a little.

The Peugeot e-2008 EV SUV previewed at the Malaysia Autoshow 2023

Moving on to the e-2008, this EV SUV crossover was already previewed earlier this year at the Malaysia Autoshow (MAS) 2023. Slated to be launched later in mid-2024, this EV SUV will be sold alongside its ICE-powered counterpart that is priced from RM134,103 onwards.

Powered by a single, front-mounted (FWD) electric motor, the e-2008 boasts a total system output of 136 PS and 260 NM. Meanwhile, its 50-kWh lithium-ion battery pack grants the B-segment EV SUV with a maximum WLTP range of 320 KM. Charging, on the other hand, is accomplished via either a slower 11 kW AC or a faster 100 kW DC, with the former taking 4.5 hours to fully-charge the pack, while the latter takes only 30 minutes to juice the battery from 0% to 80%.

Peugeot Landtrek debuts as the marque's first pick-up truck model in a long time

Finally, the Peugeot Landtrek pick-up truck is also bound to be locally-assembled for its 2024 model year. Recently made its debut in our local market, this fully-imported Sino-French pick-up truck is available in a single 1.9D Allure variant, which is priced at RM120,072 on-the-road.

Based on the China-only Kaicene F70, this double-cab pick-up truck is powered by a 1.9-litre 4-cyl turbodiesel mill that delivers 150 HP and 350 NM to all four wheels (AWD). For the CKD model however, Gonzalez mentioned that the Landtrek will get an upgraded suspension setup that is tuned for the Malaysian roads.

Stellantis Gurun production facility that the firm took over from Naza Automotive back in 2021

As we mentioned earlier, all these three Malaysian-bound Peugeot models will be locally-assembled at the firm’s local production facility in Gurun, Kedah, which was previously owned and operated by Naza Automotive. Aside from the three new models, said plant is also producing the 2008, 3008, and 5008 SUVs not only for the local market, but also for regional exports such as the Philippines, Thailand, and Cambodia.

More importantly, this localisation effort is part of Stellantis’s bigger plans to turn Malaysia into its production hub for the ASEAN regional markets, with the firm already setting up its regional headquarters here in Kuala Lumpur. This will be followed by a dedicated battery production facility, as well as a regional training academy.

In order to fulfil its big ambitions, Stellantis is also looking to partner with more local players to provide support on various fronts like charging infrastructure, battery technology, software development, and many more.

Stellantis COO for the ASEAN market Daniel Gonzalez (fourth from left), during the Peugeot Landtrek pick-up truck launch earlier this year

“We need to be here with local talents and we are on a recruitment spree. I have been having conversations with the government and other entities about future business. Stellantis will be here for the long run and not an in-and-out thing. We want to fully utilise our Gurun plant,” Gonzalez commented.

By days’ end, this massive investment by Stellantis is forecasted to create business opportunities for local businesses worth up to RM5 billion, not to mention hundreds or even thousands of job opportunities created by it.