Selected journalists have joined hands with Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Limited, PAN, in a nationwide test-drive, intended to generate public awareness on a number of its new generation vehicles.

The company’s managing director, Ibrahim Boyi, who addressed a news conference shortly after the contingent arrived Kaduna from Lagos said that Peugeot vehicles still maintain old attributes of durability, luxury and ruggedness, with new values of style and fuel efficiency to make it the leading automobile company in Sub Saharan Africa.

Stating also that the objective of the media test is to restate the values of Peugeot vehicles through the unbiased driving experience of motoring editors and other experts, he also affirmed that with over a century of experience to its name, the brand remains unbeaten in its expertise in making quality cars for Nigerians and Africa.

According to Boyi, while its most memorable brands in the past are 504, 404, 505, 406, 307 and 508, the company in line with global competitiveness, has also commenced production of new generation vehicles such as 301, 3008 and 4008.

The auto executive also explained that the new 3008 and 4008 brands which took inspiration from the SUV, were the company’s response to the challenges of the future as the brands come with technological equipment to enhance the driving pleasure and safety of the user.

He revealed that it is the unveiling of these new brands that inspired the test drive exercise to enable the participants tell the story from their own perspective.

The team of journalists took off from Lagos on Saturday passing through some villages, smooth and rough roads across Oyo, Osun and Ondo states down to Lokoja the capital of Kogi State, where they had a stop-over on Sunday.

Continuing the journey on Monday, the team drove through Abuja, the nation’s capital, finally arriving Kaduna, where PAN is headquartered on Monday afternoon, to a warm reception by the company’s management team.

Journalists who participated in the cross-country test drive were taken round the factory to have a first- hand knowledge of its production activities.

Boyi stated that the continuous patronage of Peugeot vehicles by government and Nigerians would not only improve the fortunes of the company, but would also translate into providing employment opportunities for the citizens.