Founded in 1810, Peugeot is the oldest car company. Known for its lion trademark, Peugeot has a rich history in motorsport and manufacturing. The company's success is highlighted by numerous international awards for its vehicles.
Peugeot was founded in 1810 and has since become a top automobile brand known for providing advanced vehicles with innovative features.
In 1824, the PEUGEOT Frères company began producing tools for various professions, marking the start of their industrial activities.
In 1840, PEUGEOT started manufacturing coffee mills for both household and commercial purposes, maintaining the original mechanism despite licensing rights.
In 1852, PEUGEOT ventured into the production of steel crinolines, showcasing their diversification strategy and innovation in manufacturing.
In 1855, Peugeot introduced cast iron mills, commonly known as 'moulins de comptoirs' or 'bar mills'. This marked a significant development in the history of the brand and became a popular choice among gourmets.
On 20 November 1858, Émile Peugeot applied for the lion trademark, which is now a symbol associated with the Peugeot brand.
Peugeot began producing bicycles in 1882 in Beaulieu, France. The company went on to achieve ten Tour de France wins between 1903 and 1983.
In 1886, Peugeot joined forces with Léon Serpollet, marking a significant collaboration in the company's history.
In 1889, Armand Peugeot introduced the first PEUGEOT-branded automotive vehicle at the World Fair in Paris. The steam-driven 3-wheeler, although not commercialized, was a significant milestone in the company's automotive history.
In 1890, the first Peugeot quadricycle was introduced, marking a significant milestone in the history of Peugeot's automotive innovations.
The Type 3, the first car in the world to be mass-produced with 64 examples, was marketed in 1891. It made history by being driven in Italy in 1893 and participating in the first Paris-Brest-Paris cycle race over a distance of 2,045 km.
In 1892, Peugeot built 29 cars, marking the beginning of their car production. These early models were identified by 'type' numbers.
In 1894, Peugeot built 40 cars, showing a steady growth in their production capacity during that period.
In the Paris-Bordeaux-Paris race of 1895, the PEUGEOT Type 7 secured the 1st position with 3 PEUGEOTs in the top 4. This victory was significant as Michelin provided the PEUGEOTs with the first inflatable pneumatic tires.
In 1896, Armand Peugeot broke away from Les Fils de Peugeot Frères to establish his own company, Société Anonyme des Automobiles Peugeot, dedicated to car manufacturing.
In 1897, the first dedicated automobile plant was established at Audincourt by the PEUGEOT Brothers. This marked the beginning of PEUGEOT's venture into automobile manufacturing.
In 1898, Peugeot Motocycles showcased the first motorcycle equipped with a Dion-Bouton motor at the Paris Motorshow, solidifying its position as the oldest motorcycle manufacturer globally.
In 1899, Lemaître emerged victorious in the Nice-Castellane-Nice Rally driving a special 5,850 cc 20 hp racer.
At the 1901 Paris Salon, Peugeot unveiled the 'Bébé', a tiny shaft-driven 652 cc 5 hp one-cylinder car, marking a shift towards a more innovative and stylish image.
In 1905, the PEUGEOT Brothers expanded into automobile production with the introduction of PEUGEOT Lion cars. This move allowed them to offer a variety of models under the PEUGEOT Lion name.
In 1907, Peugeot introduced its first six-cylinder car at the salon, a significant milestone in the brand's automotive history.
By 1910, the production of traditional products and automobiles by the PEUGEOT Brothers was merged. This consolidation marked a significant step in the evolution of PEUGEOT's manufacturing operations.
In 1912, Peugeot returned to racing with a team of driver-engineers and won the French Grand Prix with a technologically advanced car featuring a dual overhead camshaft 7.6-liter four-cylinder engine.
In May 1913, Jules Goux drove a Peugeot car to victory at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, marking Peugeot as the first non-American-based auto company to win at the prestigious event.
In 1914, Georges Boillot set a new lap record at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a Peugeot L5, showcasing the performance capabilities of Peugeot's racing cars.
Peugeot had a successful year in 1915, winning both the French GP and Vanderbilt Cup races.
In 1916, Dario Resta secured a victory at a racing event driving a Peugeot car, showcasing the continued success of Peugeot in the competitive racing landscape.
In 1919, Howdy Wilcox achieved a victory driving a Peugeot car, highlighting the enduring performance and success of Peugeot vehicles in racing competitions.
Peugeot emerged victorious at the 1926 Spa 24 Hours race, showcasing their racing prowess.
The Peugeot Type 183 was introduced in 1928, showcasing the company's innovation and commitment to automotive excellence.
The 201 was the first car to introduce the 'middle zero' nomenclature. It played a significant role in PEUGEOT's history by being the first car with independently-sprung front wheels as standard, aiding the company during the financial crash.
In 1933, the first electric tools were manufactured, marking a significant advancement in technology.
The 401 was the first car by PEUGEOT to feature a folding roof, a design element that became iconic for the brand. This innovation was later incorporated into other models like the 402, 601, 206, 207, 307, and 308CC.
The 2.1-liter Peugeot 402 entered production in 1935 and continued until the end of 1941, even during France's occupation by the Nazis, demonstrating Peugeot's resilience and commitment to manufacturing.
PEUGEOT introduced the first diesel engines in Sochaux, marking a significant milestone in the automotive industry. This technological advancement paved the way for future diesel-powered vehicles.
The entry-level Peugeot 202 went into series production from 1938 to 1942, with a few additional units built from existing supplies in 1945, contributing to Peugeot's sales success in the late 1930s.
In 1946, Peugeot restarted car production with the Peugeot 202, delivering 14,000 copies.
Peugeot introduced the Peugeot 203 in 1947, featuring coil springs, rack-and-pinion steering, and hydraulic brakes. The 203 set new Peugeot sales records and remained in production until 1960.
The PEUGEOT 203 was the first car produced post-World War II and the first unibody model with innovative features like a hemispherical cylinder head and V-shaped valves. It marked a significant milestone for PEUGEOT with over half a million units manufactured.
In 1950, Peugeot took over Chenard-Walcker, after already acquiring a controlling interest in Hotchkiss in 1942.
Peugeot introduced the popular Peugeot 403 in 1955, featuring a 1.5-liter engine. It sold one million copies by the end of its production run in 1962.
In 1958, Peugeot started selling cars in the United States.
The 404, designed by Pininfarina, introduced modernization and elegance with its angular lines and increased glazed surfaces. It stood out from cars of the 1950s era.
In 1961, the PEUGEOT 404 was equipped with the first direct-injection engine, showcasing technological advancement in the automotive industry. This innovation marked a significant step forward in engine efficiency.
In 1963, Nick Nowicki and Paddy Cliff achieved victory in the East African Safari driving a Peugeot 404 sedan, showcasing the impressive performance of Peugeot's vehicles in rallying.
In 1965, PSA (PEUGEOT Société Anonyme) was founded as the holding company for the automotive group, consolidating all companies within the PEUGEOT Group.
The PEUGEOT 404 won first place overall in the East African Safari in 1966.
In 1967, the world's smallest aluminium diesel engine was developed, marking a significant advancement in engine technology.
The 504, named European Car of the Year in 1969, was PEUGEOT's long-running model with exceptional sales figures. It catered to the middle-class market and gained popularity in Africa and South America.
In 1969, the PEUGEOT 504 was honored with the title of European Car of the Year. It became the longest-running model for PEUGEOT, with over 3,700,000 units produced until 2006. The car was designed for the middle-class market and gained popularity in Africa and South America due to its durability.
The 104 was introduced as the world's shortest saloon car in 1972, showcasing PEUGEOT's ability to innovate and create unique vehicle designs.
In 1973, the 204 saloon became the world's smallest diesel car, utilizing the small diesel engine developed earlier.
In 1974, Peugeot purchased a 30% share of Citroën and later took over the company completely in 1975.
In 1975, Peugeot emerged victorious in the Safari Rally with a 504 Injection sedan driven by Andersson, showcasing the brand's dominance in rallying competitions.
In 1978, Peugeot acquired the European division of Chrysler, which included Rootes and Simca, as Chrysler faced financial difficulties. The group rebranded the Chrysler/Simca range under the Talbot badge until discontinuing Talbot-branded passenger cars in 1987 and commercial vehicles in 1992.
The Peugeot 604 was introduced as the company's first 6-cylinder saloon since the 601. It gained popularity among senior government officials in Europe and featured the first commercial turbo diesel engine in Europe.
The Peugeot 505 was released in 1980.
The Talbot Horizon was released in 1981.
The Peugeot 205, known as the 'Magic Number', was a significant success for Peugeot. It achieved two world rally championships, won the Paris-Dakar rally twice, became the best-selling car in France, and the most exported French car.
In 1984, Peugeot Talbot Sport introduced the Group B 205 Turbo 16 at the Tour de Corse, marking a significant milestone in the history of rallying for Peugeot.
In 1985, despite Vatanen's accident, Timo Salonen led Peugeot to its first drivers' and manufacturers' world championship titles, surpassing Audi and their Audi Sport Quattro.
In 1986, the automobile brand Peugeot is officially considered to have been established. This marked the beginning of a long and successful journey for the company.
In May 1987, following Henri Toivonen's fatal accident, FIA banned Group B cars, leading Peugeot to switch to rally raids with the 205 and 405 models.
In 1988, the Aventure PEUGEOT Museum was established in Sochaux, attracting around 60,000 visitors annually to explore the heritage of the PEUGEOT brands.
In 1990 and 1991, Peugeot's total sales in the United States and Canada fell significantly, leading to the decision to cease operations in both countries after 33 years.
In 1991, the Peugeot 905 won three races, showcasing its dominance in motorsports.
In 1992, the Peugeot 905 triumphed in five races, notably securing victory at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The peak of Peugeot's success came in 1993 with a remarkable achievement of securing all three podium positions at the historic Le Mans race with the Peugeot 905.
Peugeot provided engines to Formula One teams, including McLaren in 1994. Despite achieving podium finishes, Peugeot did not secure any victories in Formula One, leading to the sale of their F1 interests to Asiatech by the end of the 2000 season.
The Peugeot 406 was introduced in 1996.
The Peugeot 406 Coupé, designed by Pininfarina, was introduced in 1997. It showcased a stylish and elegant design, reflecting a collaboration between Peugeot and the renowned Italian design house.
In 1998, the 406 model was introduced along with HDI diesel engines, which have been used in PEUGEOT saloon cars and SUVs since 2013, showcasing advanced technology in emission treatment.
In the early 2000s, Peugeot shifted its focus towards releasing hatchbacks, convertibles, and minivans to meet the growing demand. Popular models like 407, 107, 1007, 908, and 308 were introduced during this period.
In 2000, PEUGEOT introduced the world's first DPF (Particulate Filter) on the 607 model, demonstrating a commitment to responsible innovation in reducing emissions.
The vehicle was the first coupé to be built with a diesel engine, making it a desirable choice for collectors.
In 2002, Peugeot Sport had a dominant season in the World Rally Championship, securing multiple wins with drivers Marcus Grönholm and Gilles Panizzi.
For the 2004 season, Peugeot replaced the successful 206 WRC with the new 307 WRC. Although not as successful, the 307 WRC still achieved wins with Marcus Grönholm.
After the 2005 season, PSA Peugeot Citroën decided to withdraw Peugeot from the World Rally Championship, ending their participation in the series.
PSA Peugeot Citroën announced the closure of the Ryton manufacturing facility in Coventry, England on April 18, 2006, resulting in significant job losses.
The Ryton plant, which produced Peugeot 206, shut down in January 2007 following the closure announcement in 2006.
Peugeot introduced the RC HYmotion4, a hybrid electric sports sedan at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. The concept featured the ability to run on electric power for extended periods and a hybrid electric powertrain for additional range.
The Peugeot BB1 was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show as an electric concept car with in-wheel motors in its rear wheels.
In the early 2010s, Peugeot started producing vehicles with advanced safety and driver-assist features. The Peugeot 3008 compact SUV exemplifies the brand's technological progress and has received numerous international awards.
On 26 September 2011, Peugeot unveiled the VELV electric concept car, showcasing their innovation in electric vehicle technology.
In March 2012, General Motors acquired a 7% stake in Peugeot for 320 million euros to collaborate on joint purchasing and product development.
On 30 June 2013, the Peugeot 208 T16 broke the standing record on Pikes Peak by over a minute and a half, achieving an overall time of 8:13.878.
In February 2014, the Peugeot family agreed to give up control of the company by reducing its holdings from 25% to 14%, with Dongfeng Motors and the French government becoming major stakeholders.
In January 2015, Indian multinational automotive giant Mahindra & Mahindra purchased a major stake of 51% of Peugeot Motocycles for 28 million euro.
The Peugeot 3008 was highly acclaimed for its design, interior features, and was awarded the prestigious Car of the Year 2017 title by European journalists.
On October 31, 2017, Peugeot declared the conclusion of its Dakar Rally program after the 2018 edition to focus on the FIA World Rallycross Championship.
In 2018, Peugeot clinched their seventh straight victory in the Dakar Rally with former World Rally Championship driver Carlos Sainz.
The Peugeot 3008 became the first SUV to win the Car of the Year award since its inception in 1964, marking the fifth time a Peugeot vehicle received this honor.
In 2020, the PEUGEOT 208 was crowned Car of the Year by a panel of 60 expert automotive journalists from 23 European countries. The vehicle's diverse engine options, including electric, petrol, and diesel, along with its striking design and advanced technology, contributed to its recognition as the top car of the year.
In 2021, Peugeot unveiled its new logo featuring a lion's head, marking a significant move upmarket and the beginning of a new chapter in its history.
Less than a year after the concept was revealed, the PEUGEOT TotalEnergies Team made its competition debut in the summer of 2022, participating in 3 races.
In 2023, PEUGEOT participated in its first full WEC season, competing in 7 races.
By 2025, Peugeot aims to have 100% of its models with an electrified variant. Additionally, by 2030, all Peugeot vehicles sold in Europe are expected to be electrified, aligning with the brand's goal of reducing CO2 emissions and promoting sustainable transport solutions.