Peugeot seem to be finding their feet in the Chinese market after several years of dropping some shockers, the Peugeot 207 was a popular car, the sedan version was hardly a renaissance piece. The 301 changes all that, the compact sedan is targeted squarely at those emerging market consumers that want style and economy on a budget, the 301 was announced just several weeks ago but Dongfeng Peugeot have wasted no time.

Production of the 301 is expected to happen in early 2013 with the car possibly having its China launch via the Guangzhou or Chengdu Auto Show in Sept or Nov, a Chengdu Auto Show is more likely due to the Western parts of China becoming the new battleground for auto manufacturers where compact cars like the 301 are all too popular. The 301 is likely to find stiff competition from the Nissan Sunny, a product also made by Dongfeng. The Sunny sold just under 70,000 units from January to May, showing that there is a strong demand for this type of vehicle from foreign manufacturers.

Rumors indicate that the 301 wont be carrying the same three cylinder engines as with other markets, a 1.6L engine is more than likely as is a smaller 1.4L. PSA are planning to put a 1.2T engine into production in Minyang in 2014, possibly for the Citroen C4 and 308 (and successors) but there is a possibility the 301 could receive it as well.