Peugeot expects the new SUV styling of its latest 3008 to give the model a sales boost in China.

 

The upcoming 3008 has a radical new design compared with the current version so it now looks like an SUV or crossover instead of a high-riding station wagon.

 

The brand expects the fresh look to help the 3008 benefit from booming sales of such models in China and other global markets.

 

CEO Maxime Picat said the design reflects what customers want on a global scale. He said the 3008's sales in China will be "significant" without being more specific.

 

Europe likely will remain the 3008's biggest market, though the entry of rival compact crossovers such as the Renault Kadjar means it faces tough competition.

 

The new 3008 is the third model based on the automaker's EMP2 architecture. The Peugeot 308 compact hatchback and Citroen C4 Picasso compact minivan both share that platform.

 

"We drew much upon the improvements we made from the 2008 [subcompact hatchback] and 308 for quality, design, fuel efficiency and driving performance, and took all of this to another level with the 3008," Picat said at a press event to unveil the model.

 

The 3008 will have its public debut on Sept. 29 at the Paris auto show and will go on sale in Europe soon after.

 

PSA Group has allocated more than 100,000 units of annual capacity for the 3008 at its factory in Sochaux, France, according to analyst firm Inovev.

 

The new 3008 also will be produced at PSA's new joint venture factory in Chengdu, China, a Peugeot spokesman said. Peugeot will sell two 3008 versions in China: the new generation 3008 and a freshened 3008 shown this year at the Beijing auto show.