Peugeot is a legendary French automotive manufacturer and one of the oldest car brands in the world. Founded in 1810, the company evolved from producing steel products to becoming part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, Europe’s second-largest car manufacturer. Today, Peugeot leads the European market in light commercial vehicles and low-emission automobiles.
The Peugeot Family Legacy: Early Industrial Beginnings (1810-1882)
The Peugeot surname first appeared in historical records during the 15th century. The family lived near Montbéliard (now Vandoncourt in the Doubs province) and worked primarily in agriculture.
In 1810, cousins Jean-Pierre and Jean-Frederic Peugeot transformed one of their mills in Su Crata into a small industrial enterprise called Peugeot-Freres et Jacques Maillard-Salins. Their initial product line included:
- Clock springs
- Saw blades and steel strips
- Coffee grinders and mills
- Tools and household items
- Crinoline hooks and irons
- Sewing machines and umbrellas
By 1818, the brothers established a rolling mill and adopted advanced metal processing technology. Just six years later, production capacity reached 150 kilograms of steel raw materials daily. By 1882, Peugeot products were being exported to Turkey, Switzerland, and Italy.
Peugeot Bicycles: Innovation on Two Wheels (1882)
The Peugeot family’s expertise in manufacturing thin metal rods naturally led them to bicycle production. Armand Peugeot, grandson of the company’s founder, became fascinated with cycling while studying in England and championed the development of bicycle products.
In 1882, Peugeot launched the Le Grand-Bi bicycle featuring:
- A massive 1.86-meter front wheel
- A small 0.40-meter rear wheel
- Chain drive system
The bicycle market proved incredibly lucrative. Peugeot quickly became France’s leading bicycle manufacturer—a position the company maintains to this day. Beyond bicycles, Peugeot facilities now produce mopeds, motorcycles, and scooters.
The Iconic Peugeot Lion Logo: 120+ Years of Brand Identity
For over 120 years, the French heraldic lion has served as Peugeot’s unmistakable symbol. The logo’s evolution reflects the brand’s journey:
- 1882: First emblem featuring a left-facing lion with a royal crown, inspired by the Franche-Comté province coat of arms
- 1891: Crown removed, body and mane enlarged, color changed from black and white to gold (symbolizing wealth and success)
- 1912-1920: Brief period without the lion image
- Post-WWI: Lion’s triumphant return with multiple design iterations
- 2000: Modern three-dimensional lion on dark/black background with the Peugeot name displayed beneath
Peugeot Enters the Automotive Industry (1889-1900)
Armand Peugeot recognized the revolutionary potential of automobiles despite family skepticism. His persistence led to Peugeot’s automotive legacy.
The First Peugeot Car: Serpollet-Peugeot (1889)
In collaboration with steam engine specialist Leon Serpollet, Peugeot unveiled the “Serpollet-Peugeot” at the 1889 Paris World Exhibition. However, this three-wheeled steam vehicle proved unreliable during the Paris-Lyon rally, suffering multiple breakdowns.
Breakthrough: The Gasoline-Powered Era (1891)
Learning from the steam engine failure, Armand pivoted to gasoline power. In 1891, Peugeot produced a four-wheeled automobile featuring:
- Two-cylinder Daimler gasoline engine
- 1 horsepower capacity
- 563 cubic centimeter displacement
The company was renamed Les fils de Peugeot frères (Peugeot Sons), and four vehicles were manufactured that year.
Rapid Expansion (1894-1900)
Armand aggressively expanded the product lineup in 1894, introducing:
- Type 5 (two-passenger)
- Type 6 and 7 phaetons
- Type 8 Victoria
- Type 9 Vis-à-vis
- Type 10 Estate
By 1895, production reached 130 cars annually. During the Paris-Bordeaux-Paris rally that year, Edouard Michelin tested the first pneumatic tires on a Peugeot vehicle—a milestone in automotive history.
Peugeot Becomes Independent: Societe des Automobiles Peugeot (1896)
A family dispute in 1896 split the business:
- Pierre’s sons (Robert and Jules) continued as Peugeot Freres, focusing on tools, bicycles, and motorcycles
- Armand established Societe des automobiles Peugeot in Audincourt, dedicated to automobiles and trucks
Crucially, Armand developed Peugeot’s first proprietary engine—a two-cylinder design with opposed cylinders producing 8 horsepower. This achievement freed Peugeot from dependence on external suppliers and allowed for front-mounted engine configurations.
The Golden Age: Peugeot’s Rise to Global Leadership (1897-1914)
In 1897, Armand constructed a massive 50,000 square meter factory in Audincourt and another facility in Fives-Lille. The company’s catalogue expanded dramatically with models including:
- Type 14 (two-passenger)
- Type 15 (phaeton)
- Type 16 (Vis-à-vis)
- Type 17 (micro-car requiring no license)
- Type 18 (eight-seat estate)
By 1899, Peugeot offered 15 different models ranging from two to twelve seats, weighing between 720 and 1,250 kilograms. Production reached impressive milestones: 500 cars and 20,000 bicycles in 1900 alone.
Pioneering Automotive Innovations
Peugeot introduced groundbreaking technologies that became industry standards:
- First hood design
- Rubber pneumatic tires
- Tilt steering column with steering wheel (replacing control levers)
- Disconnected transmission system
- Rack-and-pinion steering gear
- Drive line to rear axle
In 1902, a Peugeot truck won a national prize, while a 20 hp Peugeot dominated the La Turbie race in Alpes-Maritimes, reaching 25 miles per hour.
The Peugeot Bebe: Democratizing Automobile Ownership (1913)
Recognizing the need for affordable urban transportation, Peugeot partnered with legendary designer Ettore Bugatti to create the “Bebe” (Baby Peugeot):
- First light, compact two-seater
- Single-cylinder engine
- 652 cc displacement
- Affordable pricing for middle-class buyers
The Bebe achieved universal acclaim and sold over 3,000 units between 1913 and 1916, successfully expanding automobile ownership beyond the wealthy elite.
Racing Dominance and Technical Excellence
Peugeot’s commitment to performance yielded remarkable achievements:
- 1913 Indianapolis 500: The Peugeot Goux reached 187 km/h, setting an absolute speed record
- 1912 ACF Grand Prix: The Peugeot L76 secured victory—the world’s first car featuring a camshaft and four valves per cylinder
Before World War I, Peugeot factories produced half of all French automobiles. Since France led global car manufacturing at the time, Peugeot effectively held the title of world’s largest automaker.
Peugeot During the World Wars
World War I: Military Production and Innovation (1914-1918)
The Great War transformed Peugeot’s operations. Factories shifted to military production, manufacturing:
- Automatic weapons for combat vehicles
- Aircraft engines
- Military trucks
- Bombs and artillery shells
Armand Peugeot embraced American conveyor assembly methods pioneered by Frederick Taylor. After sending engineers to Detroit for training, Peugeot implemented assembly line production, increasing output from 3,500 units in 1914 to 5,000 units in 1917.
Total WWI production included:
- 1,000 motorcycles
- 63,000 bicycles
- 3,000 cars
- 6,000 trucks
- 1,400 tank engines
- 10,000 aircraft engines
- 6 million bombs and shells
World War II: Resistance and Resilience
During the Nazi occupation, Volkswagen assumed control of Peugeot facilities and attempted to establish production under the VLV brand. However, the French Resistance systematically sabotaged operations, limiting productivity to just 10% of pre-war levels—a testament to Peugeot workers’ patriotic defiance.
Post-War Growth and Modernization (1923-1975)
Peugeot rebounded strongly after both world wars:
- 1923: Annual production exceeded 10,000 vehicles
- 1930s: Introduction of electric canopy top lift and independent front suspension
- 1941: Development of three-wheeled electric cycle for urban transportation
- 1957: Launch of the legendary Peugeot 404, nicknamed the “eternal car”
- 1957-1975: Production of 1.4 million Peugeot 404 units across multiple modifications
The Modern PSA Era: Peugeot as a Global Powerhouse
Strategic Acquisitions and Partnerships
Peugeot’s expansion strategy reshaped the European automotive landscape:
- 1974: Began acquiring Citroën shares
- Formation of PSA: Created Peugeot Societe Anonyme (PSA) while preserving both Peugeot and Citroën brands
- 1978: Assumed control of Chrysler’s European division
- Maserati partnership: Established controlling interest in the luxury Italian brand
Contemporary Success (1996-Present)
Key milestones in recent Peugeot history:
- 1996: Peugeot Partner launched, selling over 1 million units in just 33 months
- 2012: Total PSA production exceeded 3 million vehicles, with 1.6 million under the Peugeot brand
- Market position: Europe’s second-largest car manufacturer and largest private automotive enterprise
- Global reach: Specialized models designed for developing markets with challenging road conditions
- Sales ranking: Consistently ranked among the world’s top ten best-selling car brands
Peugeot Today: Innovation and Excellence
Modern Peugeot vehicles embody over two centuries of engineering expertise. The brand continues to prioritize:
- Comfort and reliability across all vehicle classes
- Adaptability for diverse driving conditions and markets
- Advanced production technologies
- Environmental responsibility through low-emission engineering
- Continuous design improvement and innovation
From humble beginnings as a steel mill in 1810 to becoming a global automotive icon, Peugeot’s journey exemplifies industrial evolution, innovative spirit, and enduring quality. The iconic lion logo continues to represent French engineering excellence on roads worldwide.
Whether you’re driving a vintage Peugeot 404 or the latest hybrid model, you’re experiencing the legacy of Armand Peugeot’s vision and the Peugeot family’s commitment to automotive excellence spanning more than 130 years.
Published December 28, 2018 • 8m to read
