PEUGEOT is boosting production of the recently-launched 308 by introducing a third shift at its Sochaux plant in France.

The company’s new Golf competitor has been buoyed by the 2014 European Car of the Year award earlier this month, and the announcement of the SW estate version which is due to arrive in April. The new shift will increase daily production of the 308 to 1563 units – that compares with total orders across Europe since the hatchback was launched of about 60,000.

Peugeot is emphasising the fuel-efficiency of the 308’s engine line-up, in particular the forthcoming three-cylinder PureTech petrols. The most efficient diesel is the 1.6-litre 120bhp BlueHDi which emits just 82g/km of CO2.