Peugeot has achieved a defining moment in its local history by claiming the top spot in first quarter sales among the European makes in the country. In the period ending March 31, Nasim sold 1,538 Pugs, which made for a whopping 167% jump from the 576 units sold in the same timeframe last year.

Those Q1 numbers were enough to give ze French lion a leading market share of 26% among the European brands in the market, according to the latest figures released by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

It’s a milestone for the marque in Malaysia, said SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, Nasim’s CEO, who added that the volume recorded by the company in Q1 keeps it well in line with it achieving its annual sales target of 7,000 units. The company is set to launch two more models this year, which will obviously help push things along nicely.

Specifics then. The most popular Pug in the first three months of the year was the 308, with 588 units sold (compared to 458 in the same period in 2010). amounting to 38% of total sales. Meanwhile, the 207 sedan sold 537 units, accounting for 35% of sales, with another 15% provided by the 3008, with 237 units.

The company is optimistic about the future, says its chief operating officer Datuk Samson Anand George, who adds that the remainder of 2011 will see further expansion of the brand’s presence – Nasim is set to introduce five new sales and service outlets to bring its network size to 23 nationwide.

Nasim is hosting nationwide test drives for the 207, 308 Turbo, 407 as well as other Peugeot models this weekend – the three-day test drive programme will be held at all Nasim’s branches and authorised dealers in the country, from 10am-6pm daily.

If it’s the 5008 you’ve been eyeing, then that one’s available for a test drive at Nasim Glenmarie on April 8, Nasim Bangsar on April 9 and Nasim Ampang on April 10.

Customers who participate in the test drive event and who place a booking for a car will be rewarded with mystery gifts. Deals are also to be had – for the 207, customers who purchase the popular sedan from April 1 to April 30 will be eligible for a 1.88% interest rate (terms and conditions apply), only valid with EON Bank.

Additionally, new 207 customers from March 1 to April 30 will receive a three-year or a 60,000 km free-serving package, whichever comes first.

Meanwhile, 308 Turbo buyers will also be eligible for interest rates of 1.88% from Affin Bank (terms and conditions apply); the offer is valid till April 30. As for the 407, buyers in the Peninsular will be eligible for a 1.33% rate from Affin Bank up to April 30, with terms and conditions again applying; East Malaysian customers will be eligible for a 1.35% rate.

Local Pug boys Nasim have begun a new after-sales initiative aimed at providing its customers with in-depth understanding of their vehicles as well as the essential maintenance tips for their Peugeots.

Kicking of this initiative was the Discover Peugeot 3008 seminar, which was held last weekend at the Grand Dorsett Hotel in Subang Jaya for 50 owners of the Peugeot 3008. The two-hour long seminar included an in-depth presentation on the various features of the 3008 as well as practical sessions on 14-point checks and basic maintenance tips.

“This is a new initiative that’s being undertaken by Nasim to further grow the Peugeot brand. In the coming months, we will have seminars on the other models in our line-up such as the 207, 308 and the 5008. It’s essential that our customers get the very best out of their vehicles. At the same time, this is an opportunity for us to get to know our customers better,” Nasim’s COO Datuk Samson Anand George said.

Nasim had sent out invitations for the free seminar to all 3008 owners in the country and the first 50 to RSVP were given seats for the seminar; they were also invited to bring along a guest.

During the presentation segment of the seminar, owners were given an in-depth explanation to the various safety technologies featured in the 3008 such as ABS, ESP, deadlocking, airbag deployment, dynamic roll control as well as the various impact zones in the SUV that are designed to minimise injury to the driver and passengers.

In the practical session, the owners were shown the proper methods in changing a tyre, jump-starting a flat battery, deadlocking, reprogramming their keys, checking engine oil, power steering fluid and coolant levels as well as releasing the electronic parking brake on a flat battery.

Since its launch in June 2010, Nasim has sold some 500 units of the 3008, while 250 units are on the way to be delivered to new customers.

If you’ve been thinking of bagging a Pug, it sounds like a good time to do so. The boys at Nasim have come up with some neat offers and rewards on the Peugeot 207 sedan, 308 Turbo and the 407. From now to the end of April, the three lions – which are infinitely more entertaining performers than their human counterparts – come bundled with some neat deals.

For the 207, purchase one from March 1 to April 30 and you’ll receive a three-year or 60,000 km free-servicing package (whichever comes first). This servicing package for the 207 sedan is applicable during scheduled servicing intervals (at every 10,000 km) and consists of free parts – set to be replaced at the intervals – and labour.

Customers who purchase the 308 Turbo from now to March 25 will get something different, in this case four tickets worth nearly RM800 to the Disney on Ice Worlds of Fantasy show on April 2 (at either 4.30 pm or 8.30 pm) at Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil, while stocks last, naturally.

Meanwhile, customers opting for the 407 can either opt for instalment payments of RM1,260 per month or a low interest rate of 1.33%. Terms and conditions naturally apply for the offer, which runs till April 30.

Local Peugeot distributor Nasim has won an international award from Automobiles Peugeot for its efforts in growing the marque last year.

Automobiles Peugeot presented Nasim with the Successful Industrialisation and Commercial Launch of the 207 Award at the Peugeot 2011 Convention for Worldwide Distributors in Valencia, Spain.

“This award from Peugeot is a recognition of our efforts in manufacturing the 207 sedan in Malaysia for right-hand drive markets in the region. At present, we have had over 600 bookings for the new 207 and it is currently the most attainable European offering in the market,” Nasim’s CEO SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin said.

He added that the 207 sedan, which is produced at Naza’s plant in Gurun, Kedah, was already being exported to Thailand and exports to Indonesia, Brunei and Sri Lanka will commence in the first quarter of this year. The company is targeting to sell 7,000 Peugeots this year, of which some 5,000 will be of the 207 sedan.