Thinking CAP – CAP's manufacturer relationships manager Martin Ward scours the globe for the week's insider fleet intelligence

Monday

To the international press launch of the Peugeot 3008 – pronounced ‘three thousand eight’.

This event took place in Dubrovnik on the southern tip of Croatia.

This area has had its share of troubles, and even up until recently was still at war.

The press conference, too, had its share of conflict as the French management team would not identify who the 3008’s competitors were – much to our annoyance.

The 3008 is much more than simply an overgrown 308 – it’s a very clever and versatile vehicle.

Its main competition will, in my view, come from the Nissan Qashqai, Renault Scenic, Citroën C4 Picasso, Ford C-MAX and Volkswagen Golf Plus, and even the Volkswagen Tiguan and Ford Kuga SUVs.

However, Peugeot’s lack of clarity on the 3008’s rivals makes the job of assessing the car, and its residual value, trickier for the fleet industry.

The 3008 is produced in a factory on the French/Swiss border, and Peugeot expects to produce up to 350 units per day.

It goes on sale in November, with prices and specification due to be revealed in the summer.

If, as suggested, it will be priced between the 308 hatchback and 308 SW estate, it will look good value, and steal many 308 sales as well as attracting conquest business.

Thursday

What’s in a name? The new budget five-door hatchback from Nissan has an odd name – Pixo – which to my mind is a cross between a small person who lives at the bottom of the garden with big ears, and a packet of sage and onion stuffing.

This little car is based on a Suzuki Alto and built in India, but has been Nissan-ised with a revised front and rear end, and different seat materials.

I drove this city car around the Oxford area and to Blenheim Palace for afternoon tea and buns, and it must be said the car is certainly better than its name.

The Pixo is 3,565mm long compared to a Toyota Aygo/Peugeot 107/Citroën C1 at 3,415mm and a Hyundai i10 at 3,565mm. It is compact and ideal as a city car, or for nipping to the supermarket.

I didn’t get the chance to try it on a motorway, but I’m sure its perky 1.0-litre 68bhp petrol engine will be able to cruise happily at 70mph.

Nissan expects to sell around 3,300 this year and 7,000 in 2010, which should be easy. And now for the shock: the basic Visia model starts at £5,995.

Running costs will be low and with CO2 emissions of 103g/km it will be cheap to tax and attract low benefit-in-kind tax rates.

The Pixo drives well, looks good, is comfortable, has acceptable quality and will appeal to most age groups.

But above all it is brilliant value.