Hanbul Motors, the official Korean importer of Peugeot and Citroen cars, on Sunday announced that it would offer three-day package tours of Jejudo Island to all people who buy Peugeot cars by the end of month, as part of the French carmaker’s celebration of the successful launch of a rent-a-car service on the island.

Those who buy a Peugeot, Citroen C4 Picasso or Grand C4 Picasso will be rewarded with a two-night stay on Jeju along with a 48-hour voucher for a Peugeot car rental there.

The event was designed to celebrate Peugeot becoming the first foreign car brand to launch a rent-a-car service there.

“Within the first week, we received more than 300 calls a day asking for more information, leading to more than 35 daily bookings,” a Peugeot representative said.

Hanbul explained that it hoped the rental market entry would have a promotional effect in the local market, on top of being a conventional business opportunity.

According to the Jeju Special Governing Province authorities, there are 22,819 rental cars registered on the island, run by 82 companies, but only about 1 percent were import brands. In the past, imported brands were perceived as costly, with higher rental fees as well as insurance and repair costs, it said.

“But with Peugeot’s sophisticated and cutting-edge specs, we are positive that the future will be brighter,” a Hanbul representative said.

Bedazzled by the good performance, Hanbul has recently decided to expand its lineup, adding Peugeot 308 SW and Citroen DS3 models on top of its existing lineup, including the Citroen C4 Picasso, premium hatchback DS3 Cabriolet and compact SUV Peugeot 2008.

The company has also suggested a blueprint of establishing showrooms, a service center and a brand museum there.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)