Peugeot 308 2. The last copy left the Sochaux factory

To celebrate this event, a cake in the shape of the 308 logo was prepared.

While the third generation of Peugeot 308, manufactured in Mulhouse, landed in concession, its predecessor left the scene. The last of the 1.380 million units produced left the Sochaux plant on September 10.

For the Sochaux plant, it’s a sacred page of history that has been turned. The release of the latest 308 2, aka T9, on September 10, 2021 is not just the end of a popular generation of Peugeot compacts. It also marks the departure of the model towards other horizons. If the third version remains assembled in the east of France, it leaves the Doubs to settle in the Haut-Rhin, in Mulhouse, not far from the German border. Sochaux will thus be able to fully prepare for the arrival of the next 3008, which will launch the new STLA Medium platform, making it possible to offer an unprecedented electric version e-3008.

1.380 million copies produced

The future of the site looks bright, but the end of the Peugeot 308 2 has nonetheless been a moving moment for the employees who have been assembling it since 2013. This last copy, which has not yet been sold, concludes a real “success story”. The 308, the first model to keep its name at Peugeot, was manufactured at 1.380 million units. With its remarkable comfort-behavior compromise, it has established itself as a benchmark.

A real success despite a few caveats

peugeot 308 i-cockpit — Even if its replacement gave it a shot of age, the “i-cockpit” of the 308 2 had a very innovative side when it was released in 2013.

peugeot 308 sw old generation — The sedan was quickly supported by this 308 SW station wagon, with a less dynamic style but with a much larger interior and trunk.

The move upmarket and the originality of its “i-cockpit” also contributed to this success, which did not do Renault’s business. It put an end to the supremacy of the Mégane in France. In Europe, on the other hand, the Lioness has never been able to worry its main rivals, starting with the Volkswagen Golf. It is criticized for its fair rear roominess (except on the 308 SW station wagon) and its reliability, in particular because of the many concerns of the 1.2 PureTech three-cylinder.

latest peugeot 308 gti — The last Peugeot 308 GTi was produced in December 2020. This also marked the end of the use of the GTi name by the Lion brand.

peugeot 308 3 and 308 2 — The third 308 of the name has opted for a much more aggressive and sharp style than its predecessor. It is also available for the first time as a hybrid.

As for the end of her career, after stopping the sporty GTi at the end of 2020, she was disturbed by the shortage of semiconductors. But the third generation of the 308, with a more aggressive style, will still have a great challenge to meet in order to live up to it. Our first tests should already tell us if it is well equipped to repeat this success, or even strengthen it in Europe. See you next week on L’argus.fr.

TO READ. Peugeot 308: when the new meets the old