ClementsMoto plugs in to Peugeot

ClementsMoto (CM) is best known as the UK Fantic importer, with a range that incorporates on- and off-road motorcycles and e-bikes. The company’s portfolio also includes the Far East-manufactured Zontes range of motorcycles and scooters, from 125cc to 350cc, all of which are said to represent value for money rather than just being cheap. The addition of Peugeot should neatly round off the CM brand offering.

Peugeot is a name that everyone knows, even though the two- and four-wheel products are entirely separate. Peugeot is a European manufacturer with over a hundred years of experience producing powered two-wheelers. It is well known for its quality, performance, cutting-edge design, durability, minimal environmental impact and, importantly, value for money. The Peugeot range offers 50cc mopeds, 125cc scooters, large capacity two- and three-wheel scooters, as well as 125cc motorcycles.

ClementsMoto MD, Dean Clements, got the call from Peugeot just before Christmas when the then distributor was having difficulties. “Peugeot had spoken to me back in 2020 when Three Cross Motorcycles went into administration, but for various reasons, we didn’t proceed with it back then. Things are a little different this time, and Peugeot could see things more from our perspective. The first thing we did was to secure all existing stock as we didn’t want it on the market going cheap. Then we needed a more UK-focused range and better colour options.”

CM did what it needed to do to retain the existing dealer network, including the retention of Pete Scott, who’d been in the aftersales department at Three Cross for a couple of decades and has a huge amount of product knowledge and dealer liaison ability.

“Peugeot gives us a different range that doesn’t directly clash with any of our existing products. We gave all the existing Peugeot network the opportunity to stay on board, and about 90% took up the offer. The remaining few weren’t selling much anyway. Some were just using the brand name because Peugeot, to the non-motorcycling public, is a good household name. A parent walking into a motorcycle or scooter showroom to buy their 16- or 17-year-old their first bike will recognise the Peugeot lion logo and be reassured about product quality etc.”

Establishing the Peugeot network has had brand cross-over benefits for CM with Zontes. Quite a few Peugeot dealers have taken Zontes as well, because the model ranges are compatible. The reverse has occurred with existing Zontes dealers.
Clements isn’t too smug about the situation, though, and says that there are still a lot of empty spaces on the firm’s dealer map, which he will be looking to fill over the coming year.

“The new sites have got to be stock holding, fully supporting dealers. The network trading terms had been allowed to slip with the previous distributor. We’ve not made any radical changes, just trimmed a few price points. There was an issue with the PM-01 125cc, which marked Peugeot’s return to motorcycle production after many years and was previously priced at four grand. Now we’ve got it down to £2999. Plus, we’ve shaved a few quid off some other models.”

The Peugeot range includes more 50cc models than most, but the company is mindful that the moped sector will be first for the chop when decarbonisation regulations are eventually implemented and is already producing electric scooters such as the E-Ludix. However, Clements doesn’t feel the time is right for the UK market. After an upturn during the lockdown for the urban delivery sector, e-scooter sales have dropped in favour of e-bikes, which are better suited to short journeys and urban traffic restrictions. Should the market change, Peugeot will have tried and tested electric products available.

ClementsMoto had a webinar for the existing dealer network where the new deals and the way forward were mapped out. So far, Clements is pleased with progress, and the warehouse is filling with stock and spares, but, as Clements says, “it’s still early days.”

“We’ve had some immediate sales from dealers with whom we already have a business relationship, and we will be happy to talk to all interested dealers around the country. Scooter riders don’t want to have to travel too far to get their scooter serviced or to buy clothing and equipment, so we’re looking to grow the network overall.”
ClementsMoto
01227 720700
www.clementsmoto.co.uk
www.peugeot-motocycles.co.uk