Peugeot 3008 named ‘Car of the Year’ at Geneva auto show

Jean-Philippe Imparato, Peugeot Brand CEO, with the winner’s trophy, poses next to Peugeot 3008 model after it was elected “Car of the Year 2017,” ahead of the 87th Geneva International Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, March 6, 2017. (Photo by SALVATORE DI NOLFI/Keystone via AP)

GENEVA — The Peugeot 3008, the French automaker’s offering for the hot mid-size SUV segment, has been named “Car of the Year” by dozens of European motoring journalists.

At a glitzy awards ceremony in Geneva, Peugeot Group CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato hailed a “fantastic honor” for the recognition, saying he believed the 3008’s high-cockpit feel in a car that drives like a sedan put it over the top in the competition.

“(The award) will have an effect on image – this is very important for us. It shows we can do the job,” he added. “Peugeot is back.”

The award presented Monday marks the unofficial kickoff for media at this year’s Geneva auto show, which is in its 87th edition.

The six other finalists for the award, billed as the most prestigious of its kind, were the Alfa Romeo Giulia, which placed second in the voting, as well as the Citroen C3, Mercedes E-Class, Nissan Micra, Toyota C-HR hybrid, and Volvo S90/V90.

The honor comes the same day that Peugeot parent company PSA Group announced a $2.3 billion deal to buy GM’s Opel division. Opel’s Astra won the Car of the Year last year.

“This is the day we will not forget in our history: The same day, two announcements,” said Imparato.

Alluding to the deal to buy Opel he said, “This is an alliance of winners.”