Peugeot

Peugeot is one of the oldest business conglomerates in Europe. It is also, since its genesis, a purely family business. Its origin has nothing to do with automobiles. The initial business was coffee mills.

Jean Jacques Peugeot founded the company on April 27, 1810 in the Doubs, eastern department of France. One of his heirs, Jean Pierre, not only consolidates the emporium around the original production of the company. It also expands it to the textile sector. Later, they would begin the production of kitchen implements, such as pepper shakers and salt shakers.

In 1885 Armand, son of Jean Pierre, installed Peugeot Cycles, the bicycle division of the already imposing emporium. It would be Armand himself, just four years later, who would bet on the automotive sector.

In 1889, it formally became the second automotive house in history. The also French Panhard et Levassor had been a pioneer in 1887. Ironically, the heirs of Jean Jacques, Jean Pierre and Armand today own what was left of this company.

Panhard was acquired by Citroën in 1967, a company that a decade later would end up as part of the PSA Peugeot-Citroën group. For most analysts and historians, this ‘alliance’ was nothing more than the absorption of the latter by their former rivals.

To this day , the production of textiles, bicycles and coffee mills started at the beginning of the 19th century continues. The salt shakers with the traditional emblem of the lion that adorns cars around the world are kept on the market. They are also the second largest car conglomerate in Europe, only behind the Volkswagen group.

Peugeot cars

The company’s first automobile was a steam-powered tricycle presented in 1889 at the World’s Fair in Paris. Only two years later the first car to be produced in series was launched on the market: the Type 3. This model was presented rather like a small horseless wagon.

By 1896, the incipient automobile business was so profitable that the company split. On the one hand, the traditional items (coffee mills, salt shakers and other kitchen utensils, tools and the young bicycle division). On the other hand, the Société Anonyme des Automobiles Peugeot was formally established.

In 1897 the first assembler was opened at Audincort. A year later the second would be installed, this time in Lille.

Since then, except for a few moments of crisis that even put them on the brink of bankruptcy, the small empire has not stopped growing. Currently, there are 10 own factories between Europe and Latin America, including one in Madrid and another in Vigo. Additionally, thirteen additional assemblers between subcontractors and strategic alliances.

The family spirit has managed to survive two centuries. In addition to being one of the few pioneers in the industry that continues to be active, the heirs of the original entrepreneurs continue to occupy key positions within the consortium.

Peugeot and the numbering of its models

If something has characterized the company, it is the identification system of its vehicles. Three-digit numbers, with zero invariably in the middle. This detail is also a registered trademark.

The first digit indicates the type of car. Thus, 1 is a mini, 2 is a small compact and 3 are compact and minivan with up to seven seats. The number 4 refers to luxury compact cars, 6 executive cars, 7 semi-sports cars, 8 minivans and 9 sports cars.

The last digit refers to the generation of the car.

Naturally, after so many years of uninterrupted production, Peugeot ran out of hundreds. So they had to start adding two zeros between the first and last digits.

200 years of history

Five of its models have been winners of the Car of the Year award in Europe. 10 times they have received the Car of the Year in Spain. Its place in user preferences does not seem to expire.

SUV, sedan, minivan, vans, hybrids, electronics… There is always a Peugeot model on the market that meets (almost) all automotive mobility needs.

The company has also had time to compete in motorsports. They have won the 24 Hours of Le Mans several times, entered the World Rally Championship several times and have even raced in Formula 1.