Peugeot: Difference between revisions

'''Peugeot''' ({{IPAc-en|UK|ˈ|p|ɜː|ʒ|əʊ|audio=Peugeot-En-UK.ogg}}, {{IPAc-en|us|p|(|j|)|uː|ˈ|ʒ|oʊ|audio=en-us-Peugeot from France pronunciation (Voice of America).ogg}}, {{IPA-|fr|pøʒo|lang|LL-Q150 (fra)-Mecanautes-Peugeot.wav}}) is a French automobile brand of automobiles owned by [[Stellantis]].<ref name="Chaudhary 2023 v083">{{cite web | last=Chaudhary | first=Utkarsh | title=Peugeot 408 GT, our 7th car in Dubai: Initial ownership experience | website=Team-BHP.com | date=17 Oct 2023 | url=https://www.team-bhp.com/news/peugeot-408-gt-our-7th-car-dubai-initial-ownership-experience | access-date=20 Jan 2024}}</ref><ref name="Newsroom 2023 k570">{{cite web | title=PEUGEOT Appoints Accenture Song as Global Creative Agency of Record | website=Newsroom | date=6 Nov 2023 | url=https://newsroom.accenture.com/news/2023/peugeot-appoints-accenture-song-as-global-creative-agency-of-record | access-date=20 Jan 2024}}</ref><ref name="Wood 2024 b037">{{cite web | last=Wood | first=Tom | title=Autonomous Peugeot E-Legend concept is the car of the future | website=Supercar Blondie | date=19 Jan 2024 | url=https://supercarblondie.com/peugeot-e-legend/ | access-date=20 Jan 2024}}</ref> The family business that preceded the current Peugeot companies was founded in 1810,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.peugeot.com/en/brand/history/adventure|title=History of the Peugeot family, pioneers of the french industry|website=www.peugeot.com|access-date=1 May 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170605110508/http://www.peugeot.com/en/brand/history/adventure|archive-date=5 June 2017}}</ref> and it is regarded as the oldest car company in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oldest.org/technology/car-companies|title=9 Oldest Car Companies in the World|date=25 October 2017 |access-date=20 September 2023|publisher=Oldest.org}}</ref> On 20 November 1858, Émile Peugeot applied for the lion [[trademark]]. Armand Peugeot (1849–1915) built the company's first car [[Steam car|steam tricycle]]. They joined forces with [[Léon Serpollet]] in 1886; this was followed in 1890 by an [[internal combustion]] car with a [[Panhard]]-[[Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft|Daimler]] engine.<ref>Darke, Paul. "Peugeot: The Oldest of Them All", in Ward, Ian, executive editor. ''World of Automobiles'' (London: Orbis, 1974), Volume 15, p.1683.</ref>

During the [[First World War]], Peugeot turned largely to arms production, becoming a major manufacturer of arms and military vehicles, from armoured cars and bicycles to shells. Between 1917 and 1920 the company produced 4,084 [[Peugeot Type 1525|Type 1525 trucks]].<ref>[[Musée de l'Aventure Peugeot]]. The exhibit label (2012) states: « Le site industriel de Sochaux fut créé en 1912 pour la production des poids lourds. Des différents types de camion Peugeot produits de 1913 à 1918 celui-ci fut les plus utilise par l’armée française. Au total 6,000 camions Peugeot ravitaillèrent le front de Verdun pendant la 1ère guerre mondiale. Le camion Type 1525 fut produit en 4,084 exemplaires de 1917 à 1920. Moteur 4 cylindres 4,712 cm3, puissance 22 ch., boite de vitesses a 4 rapports, transmission par arbre, roues en acier coule, jumelée à l’arrière, avec bandage caoutchoucs plein, charge utile 4,000 kg. Vitesse max 30 km/h»</ref> Peugeot also manufactured [[Aircraft engine|aircraft engines]]. The firm designed and built the [[Peugeot 8Aa]] V8 engines which equipped the 1,100123 [[Voisin VIII]] [[bomber|bombers]] and cannon [[Fighter aircraft|fighters]] used by the [[History of the Armée de l'Air (1909-1942)|Aéronautique Militaire]].<ref name=":Davilla">{{Cite book |last=Davilla |first=James J |title=French aircraft of the First World War |last2=Soltan |first2=Arthur M |date=2002 |publisher=Flying Machines Press |isbn=9781891268090 |pages=559}}</ref> Additionally, Peugeot were one of the major license producers of the [[Hispano-Suiza 8]] aero engines which powered many French and British fighter aircraft during the second half of the conflict.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Marco |first=Manuel Lage |title=Hispano Suiza in Aeronautics |date=2003 |publisher=SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) |isbn=9780768042719 |location=United States |pages=70}}</ref>

|File: Moteur d avion Peugeot L112 1916 DSC 0073.JPG|[[Peugeot 8Aa]], WW1 aircraft engine, 1916

Peugeot assisted andin manufacturing of armored vehicles.

Peugeot took over [[Chenard-Walcker]] in 1950, having already been required to acquire a controlling interest in [[Automobiles Hotchkiss]] in 1942.<ref name="Darke, p.1694."/> A popular model introduced in 1955 was the [[Peugeot 403]]. With a 1.5-liter engine, it sold one million copies by the end of its production run in 1962, famously including one [[Columbo#Car.{{cn|cabriolet/convertibledate=August driven by TV detective]] [[Columbo (TV series)|Columbo]].2024}}

In 1983, Peugeot launched the successful [[Peugeot 205]] supermini, which is largely credited for turning the company's fortunes around. The 205 was regularly the bestselling car in France, and was also very popular in other parts of Europe, including Britain, where sales regularly topped 50,000 a year by the late 1980s. It won plaudits for its styling, ride and handling. It remained on sale in many markets until 1998, overlapping with the introduction of the [[Peugeot 106|106]] in 1991, and ceasing production at the launch of the [[Peugeot 206|206]], the best-selling Peugeot model of all time, with 8,358,217 cars sold by 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.actu-automobile.com/2012/12/18/peugeot-206-fin-de-la-production/|title=Peugeot 206+ : fin de la production|last=Rabatel|first=Sébastien|date=18 December 2012|website=- Actu automobile|access-date=6 March 2017}}</ref>

The [[Peugeot 405|405]] saloon was launched in 1987 to compete with the likes of the [[Ford Sierra]], and was voted [[European Car of the Year]]. This, too, was a very popular car across Europe, and continued to be available in Africa and Asia after it was replaced by the [[Peugeot 406|406]] nearly a decade later. Production of the 405 in Europe was divided between Britain and France, although its 406 successor was only produced in France. The 106, Peugeot's entry-level model from 1991, was also produced solely in France.

On 18 April 2006, PSA Peugeot Citroën announced the closure of the Ryton manufacturing facility in [[Coventry]], England. This announcement resulted in the loss of 2,300 jobs, as well as about 5,000 jobs in the supply chain. The plant produced its last [[Peugeot 206]] on 12 December 2006, and finally closed down in January 2007.<ref name="Bureau 2023 z794">{{cite web | last=Bureau | first=Online | title=Peugeot’s new fastback SUV, E-3008, is open for orders | website=ETAuto.com | date=27 Nov 2023 | url=https://auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/passenger-vehicle/peugeots-new-fastback-suv-e-3008-is-open-for-orders/105529832 | access-date=20 Jan 2024}}</ref>

Peugeot still plans on developing new models to compete in segments where it currently does not compete. Collin claimedsaid that the French automaker competed in 72% of market segments in 2007, but he wanted to get that figure up to 90%. Despite Peugeot's sportscar racing program, the company is not prepared to build a pure sportscar any more hardcore than the RC Z sports-coupe. It is also pursuing government funding to develop a diesel-hybrid [[drivetrain]], which might be key to its expansion.{{cn|date=August 2024}}

In October 2013, Peugeot closed their production plant at [[Aulnay-sous-Bois]] as part of a [[restructuring]] plan to reduce overcapacity in the face of a shrinking domestic market.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/26/business/international/end-of-plant-reflects-a-weakened-peugeot.html|title=End of a Line Reflects a Weakened Peugeot|first=David|last=Jolly|newspaper=The New York Times|date=25 October 2013|access-date=1 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171104132634/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/26/business/international/end-of-plant-reflects-a-weakened-peugeot.html|archive-date=4 November 2017}}</ref> By December 2013, Chinese investors were rumoured to be potential investors.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/13/business/international/peugeot-in-talks-over-investment-from-china.html|title=Investment From China May Be Near for Peugeot|first=David|last=Jolly|newspaper=The New York Times|date=12 December 2013|access-date=1 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171105162047/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/13/business/international/peugeot-in-talks-over-investment-from-china.html|archive-date=5 November 2017}}</ref> In February 2014, the Peugeot family agreed to give up control of the company by reducing its holdings from 25% to 14%. As part of this agreement, [[Dongfeng Motors]] and the French government were each to buy 14% stakes in the company, creating three partners with equal voting rights.<ref name=time>{{cite magazine|title=Dongfeng, French Government to Invest in Peugeot |url=http://business.time.com/2014/02/18/chinese-automaker-dongfeng-to-invest-1-1-billion-in-peugeot/ |magazine=TIME |access-date=19 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219051052/http://business.time.com/2014/02/18/chinese-automaker-dongfeng-to-invest-1-1-billion-in-peugeot/ |archive-date=19 February 2014 }}</ref><ref name=nytfeb18>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/19/business/international/chinese-firm-and-france-to-buy-stakes-in-peugeot.html?hpw&rref=automobiles&_r=0|title="Chinese Firm and France to Buy Stakes in Peugeot" 18 February 2014|newspaper=The New York Times|date=18 February 2014|access-date=14 September 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111051637/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/19/business/international/chinese-firm-and-france-to-buy-stakes-in-peugeot.html?hpw&rref=automobiles&_r=0|archive-date=11 November 2014|last1=Gough|first1=Neil|last2=Jolly|first2=David}}</ref><ref name=nytfeb20>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/20/business/chinese-automaker-and-french-government-to-invest-in-peugeot.html?hpw&rref=business|title=After two centuries, Peugeot family cedes control|newspaper=The New York Times|date=19 February 2014|access-date=14 September 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111051724/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/20/business/chinese-automaker-and-french-government-to-invest-in-peugeot.html?hpw&rref=business|archive-date=11 November 2014|last1=Jolly|first1=David}}</ref> The board of directors was to be composed of six independent members, two representatives of each Dongfeng, the French state and the Peugeot family, and two members representing employees and employees shareholders.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.finanznachrichten.de/nachrichten-2014-02/29457016-psa-peugeot-citroen-announces-major-business-and-financial-projects-for-the-development-and-growth-of-the-group-004.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226021621/http://www.finanznachrichten.de/nachrichten-2014-02/29457016-psa-peugeot-citroen-announces-major-business-and-financial-projects-for-the-development-and-growth-of-the-group-004.htm|archive-date=26 February 2014|url-status=dead|title=PSA Peugeot Citroën announces major business and financial projects for the development and growth of the Group|date=19 February 2014|work=FinanzNachrichten.de|access-date=14 September 2014}}</ref> The French government took the view the deal did not require approval by Brussels as [[European Union competition law|EU competition rules]] do not count public investment in a company on the same terms as a private investor as state aid.<ref>''FT''. 19 February 2014 "Lossmaking Peugeot confirms €3bn deal with Dongfeng and France By Michael Stothard in Paris and Henry Foy in London"</ref> The equity participation by Dongfeng expanded an already budding relationship with Peugeot. The pair at the time were jointly operating three car-manufacturing plants in China, with a capacity of producing 750,000 vehicles a year. In July 2014, the joint venture, [[Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën]], disclosed they were building a fourth factory in China in [[Chengdu]], in [[Sichuan]] Province, targeting the manufacture of 300,000 [[Sport-utility vehicle|sport-utility]] and multipurpose vehicles a year, starting towards the end of 2016.<ref name="ChingduPeugeot">{{cite news|title=Partners Peugeot and Dongfeng to build fourth car factory in Sichuan|url=http://www.chinanews.net/index.php/sid/223470675/scat/9366300fc9319e9b/ht/Partners-Peugeot-and-Dongfeng-to-build-fourth-car-factory-in-Sichuan|access-date=3 July 2014|publisher=China News.Net|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714153758/http://www.chinanews.net/index.php/sid/223470675/scat/9366300fc9319e9b/ht/Partners-Peugeot-and-Dongfeng-to-build-fourth-car-factory-in-Sichuan|archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref>

[[Peugeot VELV]] electric concept car was presented on 26 September 2011.{{cn|date=August 2024}}

Peugeot was involved in motorsport from the earliest days and entered five cars for the [[Paris–Rouen (motor race)|Paris-Rouen]] Trials in 1894 with one of them, driven by Lemaître, finishing second (the winning car was a steam-powered car and was therefore disqualified meaning Lemître was promoted to first). These trials are usually regarded as the first motor sporting competition. Participation in a variety of events continued until [[World War I]], but in 1912, Peugeot made its most notable contribution to motor sporting history when one of their cars, driven by [[Georges Boillot]], won the [[French Grand Prix]] at Dieppe. This revolutionary car was powered by a [[straight-4]] engine designed by Ernest Henry under the guidance of the technically knowledgeable racing drivers [[Paul Zuccarelli]] and [[Georges Boillot]]. The design was very influential for racing engines as it featured for the first time [[DOHC]] and four valves per cylinder, providing for high engine speeds, a radical departure from previous racing engines which relied on huge displacement for power.

In 1913, Peugeots of similar design to the 1912 Grand Prix car won the French Grand Prix at [[Amiens]] and the [[Indianapolis 500]]. When one of the Peugeot racers remained in the United States during World War I and parts could not be acquired from France for the 1914 season, owner [[Bob Burman]] had it serviced in the shop of [[Harry Miller (auto racing)|Harry Miller]] by a young mechanic named [[Fred Offenhauser]]. Their familiarity with the Peugeot engine was the basis of the famed Miller racing engine, which later developed into the [[Offenhauser]].

Peugeot's [[East Africa]]n importers had a veryan impressive record in rallying in the 1960s; Nick Nowicki and Paddy Cliff won the East African Safari in 1963 with a Marshall's-entered 404 sedan. In 1966 and 1967, [[Tanzania]]'s Tanganyika Motors entered the winning 404 Injection sedan, piloted by the late [[Bert Shankland]] and Chris Rothwell. They might have won again in 1968, but while in second place, their engine blew and ultimately Nick Nowicki and Paddy Cliff upheld Peugeot's honour by winning the rally. Peugeot also won the [[Safari Rally]] in 1975 (Andersson in a 504 Injection sedan), then, in 1978 (Nicolas in a 504 Coupé V6), both cars being factory team entries.

Peugeot also had further success in international [[rallying]], most notablyincluding in the [[World Rally Championship]], with the four-wheel-drive turbo-charged versions of the [[Peugeot 205]], and, more recently,later the [[Peugeot 206]]. In 1981, [[Jean Todt]], former co-driver for [[Hannu Mikkola]], [[Timo Mäkinen]], and [[Guy Fréquelin]], among others, was asked by Jean Boillot, the head of Automobiles Peugeot, to create a competition department for PSA Peugeot Citroën.<ref name="Todt">{{cite web| title=Who is... Jean Todt?| work=Grandprix.com| url=http://www.grandprix.com/ft/ftjs043.html| access-date=22 September 2008| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211020200/http://www.grandprix.com/ft/ftjs043.html| archive-date=11 February 2012 }}</ref> The resulting [[Peugeot Sport|Peugeot Talbot Sport]], established at [[Bois de Boulogne]] near [[Paris]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.juwra.com/peugeot_season_1984.html|title=Peugeot - Season 1984|publisher=Juwra.com|access-date=7 November 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016172946/http://www.juwra.com/peugeot_season_1984.html|archive-date=16 October 2012}}</ref> debuted its [[Group B]] 205 Turbo 16 at the 1984 [[Tour de Corse]] in May, and took its first world rally win that same year at the [[1000 Lakes Rally]] in August, in the hands of [[Ari Vatanen]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Peugeot 205 Turbo 16| work=World Rally Archive| url=http://www.juwra.com/peugeot_205t16.html| access-date=22 September 2008| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106120723/http://www.juwra.com/peugeot_205t16.html| archive-date=6 January 2012 }}</ref> Excluding an endurance rally where Peugeot were not participating, Vatanen went on win five world rallies in a row.

The British cars were initially prepared by Peugeot Sport; a team from the Peugeot UK factory in [[Coventry]] under the direction of team manager Mick Linford in 1996, with [[TotalEnergies|Total]] sponsorship. Peugeot Sport was not however a full professional race team akin to those of the competition, by now including Williams, Prodrive, Schnitzer and TWR; being as it was run from workshops within the Peugeot factory, largely by factory employees from 1992 to 1996, racing the 405 Mi16 from 1992 to 1995. Peugeot, therefore, contracted Motor Sport Development (MSD; who had developed and run the Honda Accord in the [[British Touring Car Championship|BTCC]] from 1995 to 1996) to build & run the 406 for 1997–98, when they wore a distinctive green and gold-flame design in deference to new sponsor [[Esso]].

Initially, the 406's lack of success was blamed on suspension problems. During 1998 the 406 apparently lacked sufficient [[horsepower]] to compete with the front runners' Nissan Primeras and Honda Accords; this was mentioned during a particularly strong showing from Harvey's 406 at the Oulton Park BTCC meeting of 1998 when motorsport commentator [[Charlie Cox (racing driver)|Charlie Cox]] stated: "some people say (the 406) is down on power&nbsp;– you're kidding". During the first BTCC meeting at Silverstone in the same year, Cox mentions that MSD re-designed the 406 touring car "from the ground up". It was however widely reported in publications like the now-defunct 'Super Touring' magazine that it was the aero package primarily developed for longer, faster tracks in Germany and France that led to its success there but hindered the 406 on the slower, twistier tracks of the UK.{{cn|date=August 2024}}

Peugeot has flagship dealerships, named Peugeot Avenue, located on the [[Champs-Élysées]] in [[Paris]], and in [[Berlin]]. The Berlin showroom is larger than the Paris one, but both feature regularly changing mini-exhibitions displaying production and concept cars. Both also feature a small Peugeot Boutique, and they are popular places for Peugeot fans to visit. Peugeot Avenue Berlin also features a café, called Café de France. The Peugeot Avenue at Berlin closed in 2009.{{cn|date=August 2024}}

Peugeot also produced bicycles starting in 1882 in Beaulieu, France (with ten [[Tour de France]] wins between 1903 and 1983), followed by motorcycles and cars in 1889. In the late 1980s Peugeot sold the North American rights to the Peugeot bicycle name to ProCycle, a Canadian company which also sold bicycles under the CCM and Velo Sport names.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.procycle.com/en/about_us.asp|title=about us|publisher=Procycle|date=7 April 1999|access-date=2 May 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715120415/http://www.procycle.com/en/about_us.asp|archive-date=15 July 2011}}</ref> The European rights were briefly sold to [[Grimaldi Industri|Cycleurope S.A.]], returning to Peugeot in the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.peugeot.com/en/history/cycles/bicycles.aspx|title=Bicycles|publisher=Peugeot.com|access-date=2 May 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715071509/http://www.peugeot.com/en/history/cycles/bicycles.aspx|archive-date=15 July 2011}}</ref> Today, the Peugeot bicycle brand name remains within the [[Grimaldi Industri|Cycleurope S.A.]] portfolio.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cycleurope.com/our-brands|title=Our brands - Cycleurope|publisherwork=cycleurope.com|access-date=30 July 2021}}</ref>