The History of Peugeot

The evolution of automobile manufacturing is intertwined with the major upheavals of the 20th century. The industry grew from a craft serving a limited clientele to a situation of mass production, along the way improving manufacturing quality and working conditions and reducing costs. Today, the automobile industry is a major component of economic growth in all industrialized countries. On a larger scale, changes in the industry reflect changes in society as a whole. The histories of the Peugeot family and of the company are directly linked to one region: eastern France, Montpelier. The Lion, the emblem of the make, is also on the coat of arms of Franche-Comté, the birthplace of the family. Peugeot is an industrial adventure, but also a human one. It is the story of a family that was able to adapt to the changes of each age, while retaining a strong social conscience: setting up a savings bank, a mutual help organization; free treatment, insurance, hospitals, schools, a pension system, a 10 hour day, 33 years before it was law. From the first tricycles to the latest models, the firm with Lion brand rapidly became one of the leading French manufacturers, before entering the international market. Established in the east of France since the 15th century, the Peugeot family owns much land, on which in the 18th century it builds windmills, and develops weaving, spinning and milling businesses.

Montbeliard, the crossroads of Switzerland, Alsace and Franche-Comté, features abundant water resources and a skilled, industrious workforce. These are the factors that would determine the location of future industrial sites. In 1810 the brothers Jean-Pierre and Jean-Frédéric Peugeot converted a mill into a steel foundry and plant for manufacturing saw blades, creating the company Peugeot Bros. This is the kick-off for the Peugeot family's industrial vocation. In 1858, the Lion brand is officially registered, activities become more industrialized and diversified: tools for all sorts of trades, household utensils, including the famous coffee grinders, sewing machines and various other items, including the frames for Second Empire crinolines. Through hard work, tenacity and its innovative capabilities, Peugeot forges its reputation for quality and the robustness of its products.  In 1960 Peugeot changed from being a specialist to a generalist: the production of classic sedans and small models. In 1974 the Peugeot Group acquired control of Citroen. The acquisition of the chevron brand was completed in 1976, giving birth to an automobile group with two distinct makes. The second oil crisis in 1978 caused a crisis in the automobile industry, following three decades of growth. Peugeot decided to adapt itself without delay to an environment that had profoundly changed. This involved ensuring the long-term survival of the business, and maintaining its independence. Taking over the European subsidiaries of Chrysler and the Talbot adventure shook the company's solidity at the beginning of the 1980's. The success of the 205 and a major restructuring of the organization put Peugeot back on the road to success. 1997 marks the start of a major industrial reorganization, with the adoption of a platform policy and shared industrial tools at Peugeot-Citroen. Each brand retained its name, personality and sales network. That was the beginning of a vast exercise in rejuvenating the range, starting with the 206, followed by the 607, then the 307, and most recently the 407. In 1998 The visual identity of Peugeot changes again: the paws, added in the same scale, reinforce the power and balance of this feline; the blue, piercing eye symbolizes the long-term vision of the make. The lion is now complete and metallized to apply to the brand's values (sure, dynamic, esthetic), and is included in the design of its latest models. In 2002 Now called the 'Blue Brand', the logo changes again to better reflect the Peugeot brand's ambitions. Still complete and metallized, it has had black added to the blue to show the lion's shadow. Balanced in shape and proportions, the logo and the car Brand are by now indivisible: unity creates strength.