"I think 4008 has got some quite big volume opportunities for us," he said, 'we've always had a target this year for 1000 cars. We're on track for that, but it's quite hard work, to be fair. I think 4008 will definitely make that easier.
"My opinion personally is that if you look at the styling of the car - if it's not the best-looking SUV, it's probably second. If you have a pretty car, you're halfway there - that is going to give us some traction. And we've never had an offering in that segment before - nothing that's compact, but roomy on the inside, we just haven't been there, certainly not at $36,990."
Peugeot's buyers in New Zealand have traditionally been more hip replacement than hip, but the new vehicles and a sharper price proposition have the power to change that, he believes.
"The 207's in its seventh year and we're still chugging through those - it's still a pretty good looking car. The 208 is quite a different kettle of fish, it's more iPod generation, has a good range of accessories for personalising cars, much more in keeping with the youth of today.
"Peugeot's trying to change its target market - in New Zealand it has traditionally been driven by older people and we're trying to appeal to younger people.
"Younger people aren't going to buy cars when they are predominantly driven by lot of older people, so we're trying to change that over time. We're not trying to alienate the people that buy Peugeot now, but we are trying to appeal to different sectors. Both 2008 and 4008 will enable us to do that."
Smith admits the company is taking a punt on the 4008 and 208 combo, but it's entirely possible that a diesel model will kick sales where it hurts.
"If I could have had a diesel in an automatic, I would have taken it," he says.
"I don't know - If I did offer it as a diesel, would people buy manuals? Statistics show in that part of the market, it's all auto."
