Peugeot

Peugeot was founded in 1810 and has since become a top automobile brand known for providing advanced vehicles with innovative features.

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 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 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 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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

In 1973, the 204 saloon became the world's smallest diesel car, utilizing the small diesel engine developed earlier.

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 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 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 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.

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 2000, PEUGEOT introduced the world's first DPF (Particulate Filter) on the 607 model, demonstrating a commitment to responsible innovation in reducing emissions.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.