PEUGEOT is planning to launch up to 20 dealerships as joint ventures with individuals keen to run their own business. The Peugeot Dealer Development scheme will see the manufacturer providing the initial funding and premises, with the other party making a lump sum investment and providing the hands-on management to develop the site.

Over the following five years the investor will purchase a growing share of the business, funded from profits, with the aim of buying Peugeot out. The scheme is part of Peugeot's plan to maintain a balanced network of privately-owned, group-owned and manufacturer-owned franchise outlets beyond the year 2002.