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Peugeot 308 could be built in Germany and the UK

The French manufacturer is said to be looking into building the next-gen small car alongside the Opel Astra.


The PSA Group, parent to brands including Peugeot, Citroen and Opel, could shake up its production schedule, starting with the next-generation Peugeot 308.

According to a new report by industry journal Automotive News Europe, the new 308 could be built in Ellesmere Port, England, and Ruesselsheim, Germany alongside the Vauxhall/Opel Astra, which will likely share underpinnings.

Citing a 'source with knowledge of PSA's production plans', the report added Brexit could play a key role in the next Astra's production schedule – should the UK leave the EU, production at the Ellesmere Port will likely be reduced to right-hand-drive models only, with left-hand-drive cars moved to Ruesselsheim.

That could free up capacity at both factories, which could see RHD versions of the 308 assembled in the UK and LHD models produced in Ruesselsheim.

Another reason for the move is the fact that Sochaux is running at full capacity due to popularity of the Peugeot 3008, which saw 258,460 built in France during 2018.

Currently, the 308 is built at Peugeot's Sochaux facility in France, while the Astra is also produced in Gliwice, Poland. From 2021, the Gliwice factory will switch to building the group's large commercial vans, ending Astra production at the site.

German newspaper Handelsblatt reported last month that PSA was considering shifting some Astra production to Ruesselsheim once the Zafira people mover is discontinued in the coming months, which would otherwise leave the Insignia as the sole model built there.

It's expected the Astra will move to the PSA Group's EMP2 modular architecture in its next generation – shared with various models like the Peugeot 308, 3008 and 5008, along with the Opel Crossland X and Grandland X – which will further help the company streamline its production.

PSA is yet to officially comment on the matter, though a spokesperson did tell Automotive News Europe it was investigating whether the Astra would continue to be built at Ellesmere Port.

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