Peugeot facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Automobiles Peugeot

Type	Subsidiary (S.A.)
Industry	Automotive
Fate	Merged with Citroën in 1976 to form the PSA Group
Founded	26 September 1810; 214 years ago (1810-09-26)
Founder	Armand Peugeot (who incorporated the automotive company in 1896)
Headquarters	Legal and top level administrative: Poissy (new); Ave. de la Grande Armée, Paris (old) Operational: Sochaux, France
Area served	Worldwide (except the U.S., Canada and North Korea)
Key people	Linda Jackson (CEO)
Products	Automobiles Commercial vehicles
Production output	2,119,845 (2017)
Parent	Stellantis
Divisions	Peugeot Sport Cycles Peugeot (formerly)

Peugeot is a famous French car brand. It is now part of a bigger company called Stellantis. The Peugeot family started their business way back in 1810. This makes them one of the oldest companies involved in making cars. In 1858, Émile Peugeot created the lion trademark logo. Armand Peugeot built the company's first car, which was a steam tricycle, in 1886. Soon after, in 1890, they made a car with a petrol engine.

The Peugeot company and family come from a town called Sochaux in France. Peugeot still has a large factory and a special museum there.

Peugeot cars have won many international awards. They have won the European Car of the Year award six times! Peugeot has also been very successful in car races for over a hundred years. They won the Indianapolis 500 race in 1913, 1916, and 1919. Peugeot Sport has also won the World Rally Championship five times and the Dakar Rally seven times. They also won the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times.

Peugeot's Beginning: From Tools to Cars

How Peugeot Started Making Things

The Peugeot family began their business in 1810 in France. They started with a steel factory that made saws. Then they made other tools, like coffee grinders around 1840. Later, they made pepper grinders in 1874. Around 1880, they started making bicycles. The company got into making vehicles because they used steel rods for things like crinoline dresses and umbrella frames. This led them to make wire wheels and bicycles. Armand Peugeot introduced his "Le Grand Bi" penny-farthing bicycle in 1882. He also made many other types of bicycles.

Peugeot's previous logo was used from 2010 to 2021.

The company's first logo was a lion walking on an arrow. This showed how fast, strong, and flexible Peugeot's saw blades were. The car and motorcycle parts of the company became separate from the bicycle part in 1926. However, the family-owned Cycles Peugeot kept making bicycles for many years. The family firm, Peugeot Saveurs, still makes kitchen tools today.

Peugeot's First Cars

Armand Peugeot was very interested in cars from the start. He met with other car pioneers like Gottlieb Daimler. Peugeot's first car was a three-wheeled, steam-powered vehicle made in 1889. Only four of these were built. Steam engines were heavy and took a long time to warm up. So, in 1890, Peugeot switched to petrol engines. They made a four-wheeled car with an internal combustion engine designed by Panhard under a Daimler license. This car was quite advanced for its time.

More cars were built each year. In 1892, 29 cars were made, and by 1899, 300 cars were produced. These early cars had "type" numbers. Peugeot was the first car maker to use rubber tyres on a petrol car. Because of some disagreements in the family, Armand Peugeot started his own car company in 1896. But in 1910, it joined back with the family's bicycle and motorcycle business.

Peugeot was also one of the first companies to get into car racing. Albert Lemaître won the world's first car race, the Paris–Rouen, in a 3 horsepower Peugeot in 1894. Five Peugeot cars finished this race. In 1896, Peugeot started building its own engines. The first one was an 8 hp (6.0 kW) engine. This helped Peugeot become more independent.

In 1901, Peugeot introduced a small, popular car called the "Bébé" (meaning "baby"). This car helped Peugeot become a leader in car style. Peugeot also started making motorcycles in 1901. By 1903, Peugeot made half of all the cars built in France!

In 1910, a new factory opened in Sochaux. This factory became the main production plant in 1928. In 1912, Ettore Bugatti designed a new, smaller "Bébé" car. That same year, Peugeot returned to racing with a powerful new engine. This engine had a special design with four valves per cylinder. It was much faster than other cars. Georges Boillot won the 1912 French Grand Prix with this car. In 1913, Jules Goux won the Indianapolis 500 race. This made Peugeot the first non-American car company to win at Indianapolis.

During World War I, Peugeot mostly made weapons and military vehicles. They produced many trucks and shells.

Peugeot Cars Between the Wars

Peugeot 201

After World War I, Peugeot started making cars again. They also continued racing. In the 1920s, Peugeot grew bigger. In 1926, they separated the bicycle and motorcycle business into a new company called Cycles Peugeot. This allowed the car business to focus on cars.

In 1929, Peugeot launched the Peugeot 201. This was the cheapest car in France at the time. It was also the first car to use Peugeot's famous three-digit naming system with a zero in the middle. The first number shows the car's size, and the last number shows how new the model is. The 201 was updated in 1931 with independent front suspension.

The Great Depression affected car sales, but Peugeot managed to survive. In 1933, Peugeot introduced new cars with a sleek, aerodynamic design. In 1934, they made the 402 BL Éclipse Décapotable. This was one of the first convertibles with a retractable hardtop. This means the car's roof could fold down and hide away.

Three popular models from the 1930s were the Peugeot 202, Peugeot 302, and Peugeot 402. These cars had curvy shapes and unique headlights hidden behind the grille. The 402 was made until 1941, even during the war. The 202 was built from 1938 to 1942. These cars helped Peugeot's sales grow.

Peugeot After World War II

In 1946, Peugeot started making cars again with the 202 model. In 1947, they introduced the Peugeot 203. This car had new features like coil springs and hydraulic brakes. The 203 sold very well and was made until 1960.

In 1955, Peugeot launched the popular Peugeot 403. Over one million of these cars were sold. A famous TV detective named Columbo even drove a convertible version of this car!

Peugeot started selling cars in the United States in 1958. In 1960, they introduced the Peugeot 404. This car was very strong and won the East African Safari Rally four times.

Many new Peugeot models came out, often designed by the famous Italian company Pininfarina. The Peugeot 504 was one of Peugeot's most recognizable cars. Peugeot also started working with other car companies like Renault and Volvo. This led to new engine designs.

Some Peugeot cars were also put together in Australia, starting with the 203 in 1953.

Peugeot Grows: New Brands and Challenges

Joining Forces with Other Car Makers

In 1974, Peugeot bought a part of Citroën, another French car company. By 1975, Peugeot owned Citroën completely. Citroën was having money problems because it developed too many new car models. The two companies formed the PSA Peugeot Citroën group. They wanted to keep Peugeot and Citroën cars looking different but share engineering and technical resources. Peugeot also briefly owned the Italian car brand Maserati.

Then, in 1978, the group bought the European part of Chrysler. Chrysler was struggling at the time. Soon, all the cars from Chrysler Europe were sold under the old Talbot brand name. However, Talbot passenger cars stopped being made in 1987.

The 1980s and 1990s: Turning Things Around

Peugeot 205

In 1983, Peugeot launched the very successful Peugeot 205 supermini car. This car helped turn the company's money problems around. The 205 was often the best-selling car in France. It was also very popular in other parts of Europe. People loved its design and how it drove. It was sold until 1998. The 205 was followed by the Peugeot 106 in 1991. Then came the Peugeot 206 in 1998, which became the best-selling Peugeot car ever, with over 8 million sold!

From 1985 to 1997, the Peugeot 504 and Peugeot 505 were built in China.

Peugeot 306

By 1987, Peugeot stopped using the Talbot brand for passenger cars. The car that was going to be called the Talbot Arizona became the Peugeot 309. This car was built in factories in Britain and France. The 309 was the first Peugeot hatchback of its size and sold well. Its replacement, the 306, was also built in Britain.

The Peugeot 405 saloon car was launched in 1987. It was voted European Car of the Year. This car was also very popular in Europe. It continued to be sold in Africa and Asia even after a newer model, the Peugeot 406, replaced it.

Peugeot 406 coupé

Peugeot stopped selling cars in the United States and Canada in the early 1990s. Sales had dropped too much. However, Peugeot returned to Mexico in 1997 after a long break.

Peugeot 206

Peugeot Today: New Goals and Mergers

In 2006, Peugeot announced they would close their factory in Coventry, England. This meant about 2,300 jobs were lost. The factory made its last Peugeot 206 in December 2006.

Peugeot aimed to sell 4 million cars each year by the end of the 2000s, but they stayed below 2 million. In 2009, Peugeot started selling scooters in Canada again.

Peugeot plans to make new models to compete in more car types. They also want to expand into new markets like China, Russia, and South America. In 2011, they decided to return to India with a new factory.

In 2012, General Motors bought a small share in Peugeot to work together. But in 2013, GM sold all its shares.

In 2013, Peugeot closed its factory in Aulnay-sous-Bois, France, to reduce too much production. In 2014, the Peugeot family agreed to reduce their control of the company. Dongfeng Motors (a Chinese company) and the French government each bought a 14% share. This created three main partners with equal voting rights.

In 2015, the Indian company Mahindra & Mahindra bought a big part of Peugeot Motocycles (the motorcycle division).

In 2020, it was announced that Peugeot's parent company, PSA, would merge with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). The new company is called Stellantis. This merger was completed in January 2021.

Where Peugeot Cars Are Made

A Peugeot dealership in Ratingen, Germany

Peugeot cars are made in many factories around the world.

Stellantis Plants

• France: Stellantis Poissy Plant, Stellantis Mulhouse Plant, Stellantis Sochaux Plant, Stellantis Rennes Plant
• Algeria: Oran
• Argentina: Buenos Aires
• Brazil: Porto Real
• Portugal: Stellantis Mangualde Plant
• Slovakia: Stellantis Trnava Plant
• Spain: Madrid, Stellantis Vigo Plant

Joint Venture and Other Plants

• Austria: Graz (made by Magna Steyr)
• Azerbaijan: Neftchala (assembled by Iran Khodro)
• China: Wuhan (joint venture Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën)
• Czech Republic: Kolín (joint venture Toyota Peugeot Citroën Automobile Czech)
• France: Sevel Nord (joint venture near Valenciennes)
• Iran: Tehran (assembled by Iran Khodro and joint venture IKAP)
• Italy: Atessa (joint venture Sevel)
• Japan: (Mizushima) (made by Mitsubishi Motors)
• Malaysia: Gurun (assembled by Naza Automotive Manufacturing)
• Netherlands: NedCar (used to make Peugeot cars)
• Nigeria: fr:Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria
• Russia: Kaluga (joint venture Peugeot Citroën Mitsubishi Automotiv)
• Tunisia: Fouchana
• Turkey: Bursa (made by Tofaş)
• Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City (joint venture THACO Group)
• Pakistan: Karachi (JV Lucky Motors Cooperations)

Peugeot Car Models

Peugeot 307, 2002 Car of the Year in Europe

Peugeot 208, 2013 Car of the Year in Italy and Spain

Peugeot RCZ, a sports car that won awards

Peugeot 2008, 2014 Car of the Year in Italy

Peugeot 308, 2014 Car of the Year in Europe

Peugeot 3008, 2017 Car of the Year in Europe

Peugeot 208, 2020 Car of the Year in Europe

Awards for Peugeot Cars

European Car of the Year Awards

Peugeot has won the European Car of the Year award six times:

• 1969 – Peugeot 504
• 1988 – Peugeot 405
• 2002 – Peugeot 307
• 2014 – Peugeot 308
• 2017 – Peugeot 3008
• 2020 – Peugeot 208

Other Peugeot models also placed second or third in this competition.

Other Car of the Year Awards

• Women's World Car Of The Year
  • 2022 - Peugeot 308
• Semperit Irish Car of the Year award
  • 1997 – Peugeot 406
  • 2010 – Peugeot 3008
• Car of the Year award in Italy
  • 2007 – Peugeot 207
  • 2010 – Peugeot 3008
  • 2013 – Peugeot 208
  • 2014 – Peugeot 2008
  • 2015 – Peugeot 308
• Car of the Year award in Spain
  • 1981 – Talbot Horizon
  • 1985 – Peugeot 205
  • 1999 – Peugeot 206
  • 2002 – Peugeot 307
  • 2005 – Peugeot 407
  • 2006 – Peugeot 1007
  • 2007 – Peugeot 207
  • 2012 – Peugeot 508
  • 2013 – Peugeot 208
• Best Used Small Car of the Year
  • 2022 – Peugeot 208
• Best-Selling Car in Europe
  • 2022 – Peugeot 208

Peugeot Car Series Names

Peugeot uses a number system for its car models:

• 100-Series: Peugeot 104, Peugeot 106, Peugeot 107, Peugeot 108
• 200-Series: Peugeot 201, Peugeot 202, Peugeot 203, Peugeot 204, Peugeot 205, Peugeot 206, Peugeot 207, Peugeot 208
• 300-Series: 301 (Original), Peugeot 302, Peugeot 304, Peugeot 305, 309, Peugeot 306, Peugeot 307, 308, 301 (Newer)
• 400-Series: Peugeot 401, Peugeot 402, Peugeot 403, Peugeot 404, Peugeot 405, Peugeot 406, Peugeot 407, 408
• 500-Series: Peugeot 504, Peugeot 505, Peugeot 508
• 600-Series: Peugeot 601, Peugeot 604, 605, Peugeot 607
• 800-Series: Peugeot 806, 807
• 900-Series: Peugeot 905, Peugeot 908, Peugeot 9X8
• 1000-Series: Peugeot 1007
• 2000-Series: Peugeot 2008
• 3000-Series: Peugeot 3008
• 4000-Series: Peugeot 4007, 4008 (Europe), 4008 (China)
• 5000-Series: Peugeot 5008

Electric and Hybrid Cars

Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4, a hybrid car

Peugeot is working on electric and hybrid cars. A hybrid car uses both a petrol engine and an electric motor. An electric car runs only on electricity.

In 2008, Peugeot showed a new concept hybrid sports car called the Peugeot RC HYmotion4. It could run on electric power for a long time. In 2009, they showed the Peugeot BB1, an electric concept car.

In 2010, Peugeot started selling the electric Peugeot iOn. By 2025, Peugeot plans for all its car models to have an electric version. By 2030, they aim for all Peugeot cars sold in Europe to be electric. Peugeot wants to make transport more sustainable and better for the environment.

Peugeot in Racing: A History of Wins

Early Racing Successes

Peugeot wins the 1913 Indianapolis 500.

Peugeot has been involved in car racing since the very beginning. In 1894, a Peugeot car won the first motor race, the Paris-Rouen Trials. In 1912, a Peugeot car with a special engine won the French Grand Prix. This engine design was very important for racing cars because it allowed for high speeds. In 1913, Peugeot cars won the French Grand Prix again and the Indianapolis 500.

Rallying Adventures

Peugeot 405 Turbo 16, winner of the Dakar Rally in 1989 and 1990.

Peugeot Sport is very successful in rallying. They have won the World Rally Championship Manufacturer's Title five times and the Dakar Rally seven times.

In the 1960s, Peugeot cars had a great record in the East African Safari Rally, winning multiple times.

Peugeot 205 Turbo 16, winner of the World Rally Championship in 1985 and 1986.

Peugeot had big success in the World Rally Championship with their four-wheel-drive, turbo-charged Peugeot 205. In 1981, Jean Todt was asked to create a racing department for Peugeot. This new team, Peugeot Talbot Sport, debuted the 205 Turbo 16 in 1984. It quickly won its first rally.

Peugeot 206 WRC, winner of the World Rally Championship from 2000 to 2002.

Peugeot continued to dominate in 1985 and 1986, winning both the drivers' and manufacturers' world championships. After new rules banned their powerful Group B cars, Peugeot switched to rally raids. They won the Dakar Rally four times in a row from 1987 to 1990. Peugeot returned to the Dakar Rally in 2015 and won again in 2016, 2017, and 2018.

In 1999, Peugeot returned to the World Rally Championship with the Peugeot 206 WRC. This car was very competitive. Marcus Grönholm won his first rally with it in 2000. Peugeot won the manufacturers' title in 2000, 2001, and 2002.

Peugeot 207 S2000, winner of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge from 2007 to 2009.

Touring Car Racing

In 2009 and 2011, Peugeot won the Stock Car V8 championship with Cacá Bueno.

In 2013, the Peugeot 208GTi won a one-two-three finish at the 24 Hours Nürburgring endurance race. The Peugeot 306 GTi also won the Spa 24 hours endurance race in 1999 and 2000.

Peugeot has also had success in other touring car championships around the world, including in Asia, Brazil, and Denmark.

Tim Harvey in a 406 during the 1996 BTCC season.

In the mid-1990s, the Peugeot 406 saloon raced in touring car championships. It did well in France, Germany, and Australia.

Sports Car Racing

Peugeot 905, winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1992 and 1993.

In the 1990s, Peugeot competed in endurance racing, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans race with the Peugeot 905. The 905 was very successful, winning the World Sportscar Championship in 1992. Peugeot also won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1992 and 1993.

Peugeot 908, winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2009.

Peugeot returned to Le Mans in 2007 with the diesel-powered Peugeot 908 HDi FAP. In 2009, the Peugeot 908 HDi FAPs finished first and second overall at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Formula One Engines

Peugeot also supplied engines to Formula One teams. They worked with teams like McLaren, Jordan, and Prost from 1994 to 2000. While they had several podium finishes, they did not win any races.

Pikes Peak Hillclimb

Ari Vatanen's Pikes Peak Peugeot 405.

In 2013, a special Peugeot 208 T16 car was tested by Sébastien Loeb. This car was very light and had a powerful 3.2-liter, twin-turbo V6 engine. It was designed to race at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. On June 30, 2013, this car broke the record at Pikes Peak by a huge amount, finishing in 8 minutes and 13.878 seconds.

Peugeot Concept Cars

Peugeot in Movies

In the 2017 movie Blade Runner 2049, the main character's flying car was shown as a Peugeot. This was part of a plan to advertise Peugeot in the US market.

Peugeot Dealerships

Peugeot has special flagship dealerships called Peugeot Avenue. They used to be in Paris and Berlin. These places often show off new and concept cars. They also have small shops where fans can buy Peugeot items.

Peugeot Motorcycles

Peugeot Motocycles is still a big maker of scooters, underbones, and mopeds in Europe. They made an electric scooter called the Peugeot Scoot'Elec from 1996 to 2006.

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  Peugeot Elyséo 125, 'Roland Garros', 2002

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  Peugeot Satelis 125

Peugeot Bicycles

Peugeot also made bicycles starting in 1882. Peugeot bicycles won the Tour de France ten times between 1903 and 1983. Today, the Peugeot bicycle brand name is part of the Cycleurope S.A. company.

Peugeot Kitchen Tools

As of 2021, a separate company owned by the Peugeot family, Peugeot Saveurs, still makes kitchen and table tools. This includes pepper grinders, salt grinders, corkscrews for wine bottles, and cutlery.

Images for kids

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  Peugeot 203

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  Peugeot 403, the car driven by TV detective Columbo

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  Peugeot 404 coupé

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  The Peugeot 204 was Peugeot's first front-wheel-drive car. It was France's best-selling car from 1969 to 1971.

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  Peugeot 504, named Car of the Year in Europe in 1969

See also

In Spanish: Peugeot para niños

• List of automobile manufacturers of France
• French bicycle industry
• List of automobile manufacturers
• List of companies of France
• Peugeot Concours Design