RECORD UK advance orders have been received for a new Peugeot car - the 206 - which managing director Dick Parham claimed was 'the most important car launched at this year's British International Motor Show'. Parham made his bold claim just minutes before the wraps came off the new Jaguar S-type and the Rover 75 - both making their world debuts in Birmingham.

However, with 2,500 206s being built at Peugeot's Ryton plant in Coventry and the project safeguarding the jobs of 12,000 people in manufacturing and component supplying plants, Parham stood by his claim that the 206 - making its UK show debut - was the key car launched at the NEC. He also claimed the first day of the show signalled a 'great day' for the motor industry in Britain: 'We are selling more cars, producing more cars, making huge advances in emission controls and the new cars being launched and built in Britain are safeguarding business and jobs and creating new jobs. That is all great news.'

On sale from Thursday, November 5, Peugeot will build more than 60,000 206s for export next year and has the ability to increase the weekly build programme to 4,000 units which would result in additional jobs. Parham confirmed: 'We have more than 5,000 advance orders for the 206 - a record for a Peugeot car - and that is before any Peugeot dealer has displayed a model.'