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| Peugeot - 1962 |
Peugeot has been manufacturing cars
since 1889. The “Peugeot Frères” company
was officially founded in 1810 when the Peugeot family
bought a cereal mill at Sous Cratet, France and set
about converting it into a steel factory. In 1889 there
were 1100 people employed in Peugeot factories and Armand
Peugeot exhibited the steam powered “Serpollet-Peugeot”
at the Paris show. This was the first car to bear the
name 'Peugeot'.
By 1890, Armand had developed the petrol powered “Peugeot
Type 2”, thus demonstrating the company’s
early commitment to innovation and ‘cutting edge’
development. Just three years after the very first car
was built, Peugeot was the first car manufacturer to
fit rubber tires (1892) to its motor vehicles. In 1897
the Peugeot range featured five new models including
a two seater and a ‘vis-à-vis’. Sales
of Peugeot’s motor vehicles were increasing and
by 1900, production had reached 500 vehicles per year.
To cater for the rapidly increasing demand, a head office
was set up in Levallois, Paris, in 1902 to cater for
and administer the demand. Two decades later, in 1925,
the 100,000th Peugeot car came off the production line.
The success of the Peugeot marque has continued to grow
annually and the company has continuously demonstrated
its commitment to style and innovation, offering its
customers the very latest technologies. This commitment
can be seen in a great number of ‘Peugeot World
firsts’ throughout the years. Peugeot’s sporting
success in the ACF Grand Prix of 1912 heralded the first
car in the world with four camshafts and four valves
per cylinder
In 1934, Peugeot showcased the World’s first coupe
cabriolet with and electrically retractable ‘hard
top’ roof. Just a year later, the 402 was far ahead
of its rivals in the first car to feature an aerodynamically
styled body as a pre-requisite feature.
In 1955, Peugeot unveiled the 403 which heralded the
beginning of a long and fruitful relationship with the
Turin-based Italian designer, Pininfarina. The 403 was
the first Peugeot to have a convex wind-screen and the
first model to reach the million mark in terms of production.
Continuing the theme of innovation, in 1979, Peugeot
was the first company to offer a turbocharged diesel
engine, on the 604.
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PEUGEOT MILESTONES
1889 - The first Peugeot car, the Serpollet-Peugeot,
is introduced by Armand Peugeot
1891 - The first named Peugeot car appears --
the two seater Type 1 with a 565cc petrol engine with
the successful Daimler V2 engine. Armand was forced
to shift production away from the family as they did
not share his confidence in the burgeoning motor car
industry and were more interested in pursuing conventional
business interests. Armand responded by starting work
at Audincourt on his own engine, a flat- twin producing
eight horsepower, impressive for those early days.
1892 - Peugeot is the first car manufacturer
to fit rubber tyres to a petrol-engined four-wheel car
1895 - A Peugeot is exhibited at Britain’s
first motor exhibition held at Show grounds Tunbridge
Wells.
1899 - Peugeot production totals 300 cars across
fifteen models, with engines up to 1.6 litres.
1902 - Peugeot Head Quarters established near
Paris.
First Peugeot showroom opened in Brompton Road, London
1905 - The rest of the family realise the potential
of Armand’s enterprises and after building some
motorcycles they produce their first car, which were
sold under the name of Lion Peugeot.
1908 - The two automotive branches of Peugeot
produce a record of 2,200 cars.
1910 - Key body, engine and chassis adaptations
allow Peugeot to release thirteen new models of the
six cylinders 133, plus two new Lion models.
1912 - Peugeot introduce the Peugeot L76, the
first car in the world to have an engine with double
overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. Sochaux
production plant is opened.
1913 - More than 3,000 Peugeot "Babies"
are made from this year onwards, designed by one Ettore
Bugatti.
1915 - Death of Armand Peugeot, creator of a
Limited Company, Société Anonyme des Automobiles
Peugeot.
1919 - Star model, the Peugeot Quadrillete,
a light two-seater car, is a new sensation in motoring.
1923 - Peugeot productions exceed 10,000 for
the first time
1926 - Peugeot’s 100,000th car is made.
1928 - Robert Peugeot splits the company to
create Automobiles Peugeot and Cycles Peugeot (also
making household appliances and tools).
1929 - Peugeot factories in Lille start to specialise
in Diesel.
Peugeot 201 makes its appearance at the Paris Show in
October as the first Peugeot car to bear the newly registered
trademark 3 digit name with a central zero – also
the first car in the world to have independent front
suspension as standard.
1930 - Peugeot production at more than 43,000,
plus 162,000 bicycles.
1931 - The 201 becomes the first car in the
world with independent front suspension
A Peugeot 201 saloon |
1932 - Sales of Peugeot’s
first "best seller", the 201, rocketed! The
car and its new numbering system began to make Peugeots
instantly identifiable around the world.
1933 - The aerodynamic Peugeot 301 Eclipse appears,
with independent front wheels and a back like a dress!
1934 - Peugeot introduces the first car in the
world to have an electric folding roof – the Peugeot
401 eclipse.
1938 - Titans of the road are back! Enter the
601, a 12-horse power machine weighing more than one
ton… yet capable of 60 mph.
1938 - The company unveils the new ‘reliable
and economic’ 202, capable of more than 30mph to
the gallon.
The 202 in berline form |
1943 - French factories in
occupied France placed under direct control of VW.
1946 - Having suffered severe damage to both
factories and infrastructure Peugeot begins to rebuild
the business and car production is restarted.
The "perfect family car", the 203, is designed.
But a shortage of raw materials delays its appearance
for another two years.
1950 - Plans are made to dramatically increase
Peugeot car and truck production as the UK become the
world’s biggest exporter of cars and the Peugeot
Estate car makes its timely appearance as the 30mph
speed limit for estates is lifted.
1955 - The Peugeot 403 is launched with design
work of Pininfarina, embracing everything from family
saloon to refined convertible or commercial truck.
1959 - The Peugeot 403 becomes the first car
in the world to have an automatic cooling fan powered
by engine temperature.
1960 - The Peugeot 404 is launched (later to
have a hugely positive impact on Peugeot’s fortune)
incorporating many new features such as a superior ventilation
system for passenger comfort, rear door child locks
and, later, indirect fuel injected engines.
1965 - The Peugeot 204 is introduced –
the company’s first front-wheel drive vehicle.
It has a light alloy engine with overhead camshaft,
four independent wheels and disc brakes on the front
wheels. The 404 starts to take off, with its super Deluxe
model’s bronze paint, leather interior and chrome
plated headlamps appealing to the 60’s middle class.
1967 - The 204 estate is fitted with the smallest
diesel engine in the world, at 1200cc.
1968 - Peugeot 204 gets a new look, front wheel
drive and overhead camshaft.
1969 - Peugeot 504 introduced.
Five millionth Peugeot made, as company becomes France’s
second largest producer of passenger cars.
1971 - Peugeot, Renault and Volvo begin collaboration
on four and six cylinder "Douvrin" engines
and the spacious 504 Estate is launched.
1972 - Peugeot launch the 104 – the smallest
four door car in the world.
More than 70,000 employees now work for Peugeot, producing
more than 670,000 vehicles annually.
1973 - Arrival of the first superminis –
the Peugeot 104, Renault 5 and Honda Civic become the
cars that would transform their makers.
1974 - The stylish 104 Coupé appears
and the eight millionth Peugeot is produced.
1976 - Peugeot takes over Citroën in April,
with a new structure being put in place under the control
of the holding company which becomes PSA Peugeot Citroën,
1978 - Peugeot surprises everyone by becoming
owner of the European interests of Chrysler, North America’s
third biggest car company. This would eventually make
Peugeot Europe’s No 1 producer. Peugeot 305 is
born.
1979 - New cars introduced – 305 Diesel,
world’s first Turbo Diesel: the 604 and the 505
petrol and diesel models in multiple versions.
1980 - Peugeot 305 Estate and 505 Turbo are
launched.
1982 - Peugeot’s two millionth diesel comes
off the production line.
1983 - Seminal small car, the Pininfarina-designed
Peugeot 205 is introduced – a car that would go
on to become an amazing sales success
1984 - Peugeot introduce the stunning 205 GTI,
3 door & T16 – cars to reign supreme in the
buying public’s affections.
1985 - Peugeot 309 is the first British-built
Peugeot at Ryton.
1986 - The 205 cabriolet is born.
1987 - Peugeot introduces the 309 GTI and three
door and the new 405, in no less than ten versions.
1988 - Peugeot’s famous TV ad "Field
of Fire", in which the 405 sped through fields
of burning sugar cane, is banned.
1989 - New Peugeot 205 Rallye, 405 Automatic,
Diesel, T16 and Estate appear.
Peugeot introduces the new 605, 405x4, 309 GTI and Turbo
Diesels.
1990 - Peugeot 405 Turbo Diesel launched.
1991 - Peugeot 106 is launched.
1993 - The One millionth Peugeot 405 is built
306 is launched (alongside 405) at Ryton.
1994 - The Boxer is launched.
1995 - Peugeot Talbot Motor Company Ltd., renamed
– Peugeot Talbot Motor Company Plc.
The Expert Van is Launched.
1996 - The Partner Van is launched.
1997 - Coming after a model as successful as
the 405 the 406 is launched.
1998 - Peugeot launch the brilliant 306 Cabriolet
and 406 Coupé, styling by Pininfarina; 306 estate
is also launched.
Launch of the 206 Supermini. Demand is so great that
capacity has to be increased in both France and UK.
The plan is to build 500,000 in 1999.
1999 - The remarkable HDi Common Rail Diesel
engine is released which gives more power efficiency
and much less pollution.
206 GTI and Roland Garros models are launched. The Ryton
Factory produces 4000 cars per week. Highest output
since 1973.
A third shift at Ryton commences to meet the incredible
demand of the 206.
All Peugeot and Citroën Manufacturing Plants are
now renamed PSA Peugeot Citroën. However Peugeot
and Citroën cars will continue to be sold and marketed
separately under their own Brand names.
2000 - New Peugeot 206 Coupé Cabriolet
with the steel roof that fits in the Boot is launched.
Replacement for the 605, the Peugeot 607 is launched,
featuring state-of-the art Multi-plexing. On the 607
the new particulate filter for the HDi diesel engine
makes its debut.
The 206 Van is launched.
2001 - The 307 Hatchback, 206CC and Partner
Combi are launched.
2002 - The 307 SW, 307 Estate and 206 SW are
launched. The Boxer, Partner Van and Partner Combi are
restyled.
2003 - The 307CC and 807 are launched.
2004 - The 407 is introduced in both Saloon
and SW body styles, heralding the arrival of the distinctive
new feline look for the Peugeot range. The 607 and Expert
are restyled.
The 206 became the first small sector diesel car to
be fitted with a particulate filter.
2005 - The Introduction of the 1007 with two
electric front sliding doors and the 107 city car, as
well as the restyled 307 range.
The 206 becomes the best selling Peugeot ever with worldwide
sales exceeding 5 million
2006 - Both the 407 Coupé and the 207
are launched.
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