Dozens of special guests were in attendance as Vospers Peugeot Plymouth and Torquay hosted a glittering evening to celebrate its stylish new state-of-the-art showroom, following a significant investment from the family-run company.
The event coincided with the launch of the brand new Peugeot 3008 SUV, which was certainly the star of the show at the dealership’s opening night.
The eagerly-anticipated model has already been crowned the Car Buyer’s Car of the Year for 2017, and is also in the running for the prestigious European Car of the Year award.
Jonathan Stanbury, sales manager, said: “It’s an exciting time for all of the team at Vospers Peugeot.
“The investment into the interior refurbishment highlights our dedication to giving our customers the very best possible experience when visiting us, and has allowed us to improve the level of products and services we offer.”
There was live music, Prosecco and canapés on offer as Peter Vosper, chairman of the South West motor dealership, gave a special speech for around 60 guests.
Mr Vosper said: “I’ve been able to talk to lots of people about the showroom and listen to a lot of people about what they think of the new 3008. It’s been a great evening to celebrate the launch.”
People were then treated to a tour of the showroom and its many features, including a virtual reality headset which offers a virtual tour of the new 3008’s stylish interior.
Bob Parkinson, general manager, has been with the Peugeot brand for more than 30 years.
He said: “Vospers has new Peugeot showrooms in Plymouth and Torquay. It’s a lovely environment for customers and the staff, and it has certainly lifted the Peugeot brand.
“The new 3008 has also elevated the brand – it’s won lots of press awards already (including from What Car? and CarBuyer) and is in line for the European Car of the Year award along with six other vehicles. The outcome of that will be announced on March 6, just before the Geneva Motor Show.
“We’re certainly all excited about the vehicle. It’s more than a generation above the previous model, and it’s difficult to describe all the differences between the old model and this new one.
“Peugeot brought out the 205 hatchback in 1982 and it was incredibly popular. The launch of the 3008 feels like a similar event in that scale because it takes us into a whole new market with a car that’s so sophisticated and appeals to so many people.
“The vehicle is now officially launched, and tonight is all about giving customers the chance to see it for themselves.”
The new 3008 has certainly made an impression on existing Peugeot customers, and is winning legions of fans all over the world.
Michael and Brenda Burt have been buying vehicles from Vospers for the past 18 years, and enjoy dealing with the company’s Motability experts.
Michael said: “We currently drive a Peugeot. We’ve been looking at the Nissan Qashqai, but seeing the 3008 here tonight, we’re extremely tempted. With this model Peugeot has certainly upped its game.
“With all the changes that Motability is going through now, Vospers has upgraded its training in line with that. I can thoroughly recommend anyone who is on the Motability scheme to come and speak to Vospers.
“Having dealt with the company for such a long time, and having such a good relationship with the staff here, I don’t think we’d consider going anywhere else for our vehicles.”
Jan Naylor, showroom receptionist, added: “We’ve got a great Peugeot team here, and it’s wonderful to see the resurrection of the brand new showroom.
“Peugeot came here about seven years ago and this was a brand new showroom then. Usually there’s a period of around 10 to 12 years before a brand has a refit, so this is a really significant investment.
“The new 3008 was expected to sell about 3,500 units in France when it was launched, and instead more than 10,000 were sold, which just proves how good a vehicle it is.
“With the unveiling of the 3008 and the new showroom, it’s been a very special evening.”
The night’s prize draw was conducted by players from Plymouth Raiders Basketball Club, who are supported by Vospers.
Third prize was tickets to a Plymouth Albion rugby match, second prize was tickets to Raiders’ basketball match with Glasgow Rocks at the Pavilions, and the top prize was a meal at the Glazebrook House Hotel in South Brent. The Torquay’s night’s prize draw was conducted by players from Torquay United Football Club, who are supported by Vospers.
Third prize was a family ticket to Living Coasts, second prize was tickets to a Torquay United home match, and the top prize was a meal at the Glazebrook House Hotel in South Brent.
For further details about any of the models in the Peugeot range, or to book a test drive, please call Vospers Plymouth on 01752 206206 or Torquay on 01803 400800.
Copy credit for Andrew Pyle and Pictures by Paul Slater / PSI and Emma Cooper
