Abuja — Vice President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to commission the production lines of the new Peugeot 307 Sedan at the premises of Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Limited, in Kakuri, Kaduna, on Monday.

PAN's Head of Corporate Communication, Toyin Akigbogun, said, "This is coming exactly one year after the commercial launch of the car that was held in Abuja and Lagos respectively. Within the period, Nigeria's key motoring journalists had test-driven the car over a 400 kilometre return trip between Kaduna and Tiga Dam in Kano State. The result was a wave of rave reviews for the car adjudged to be a frontrunner in the M1 segment".

He disclosed that in the last one year PAN has been fitting the 307 Sedan production lines to replace the hugely popular Peugeot 406, which has come to the end of production series.

"This is significant as it underscores continuity and a portrayal of total commitment to sustain production by PAN's Nigerian and foreign stakeholders,"Akingbogun said.

Once flagged off by Jonathan, the 307 Sedan production will average 22 units a day and 7,000 a year.

The cars will come in manual and auto combined gear levers.

PAN promises that the 307 Sedan, either in 1.6 or 2.0 liter engine, is a car with intelligence that translates to highly pleasurable driving experience and designed to withstand the rigour of the peculiar Nigerian terrain. The car profusely adheres to four distinguishing characteristics of the Peugeot brand: style, dynamics, reliability and innovation.

"Importantly, it is its generous proportions that sum up its architecture. This inclination to spaciousness is instantly evident in its interior and 500 liter boot space. The exterior projects amazing power, grace and traction that is stepped in ever active ABS, EBFD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution) and EBA (Electronic Brake Assistance)", Akigbogun added.

"With unarguably the most loaded features in its class, which include MP3 compatible RD4 radio system, dual zone heating and air conditioning system, retracting slide mirrors, high-tech anti-theft system, refrigerated glove compartment and more, the 307 Sedan is an uncommon road-holder in the best Peugeot tradition.

"The Sedan is already a familiar face among car enthusiasts and key markets as it has graced all leading motor exhibitions and fairs in 2009, such as the Lagos and Abuja Motor Show, top end Golf, Polo and soccer arenas, as well as scores of exclusive sales driven demonstrations.

"The Executive Governor of Kaduna State will be the chief host at the event that will be attended by Nigeria's leading public and private sector players."

The Managing Director of PAN Limited, Dr. Haroun Ibrahim Aliyu, described the factory launch of the 307 Sedan as a "fulfillment of the nation's desire to remain on the global map of vehicle manufacturers.

"It's also a culmination of the efforts of the management and staff of PAN to recreate/surpass the success recorded by the Peugeot 504 and 406 in Nigeria", he said.