History
Peugeot is a French multinational automobile manufacturer with headquarters in Paris, France. It has gone through a myriad of changes since it was founded in 1810. Peugeot, the original family that began this grand business, is from Montbeliard, France. The Peugeot family has a long history of involvement with the Lutheran Church, socialism, and French politics. They have been a coffee mill company, a bicycle and car manufacturer, and a motorcycle company. Peugeot was a pioneer in motor racing, winning its first trophy in the latter part of the 19th Century. In 1892 their steam-powered tricycle was exhibited at the 1889 World Fair in Paris. In 2012 it was listed as being the 9th largest automobile car manufacturer in the world. Peugeot manufactures petrol and diesel engines for a number of companies, including Ford, Jaguar and Citroen. They also manufacture machine-tools for the aircraft and auto industries.
Long before such things were even thought of, the Peugeot car company offered their employees low cost housing, social benefits and a pension. This was quite amazing in an era when child labor was common and there was no such thing as unemployment insurance.
Major Events
The family began its manufacturing business in 1810 when Jean-Frederick and Jean-Pierre started a foundry, melting steel to manufacture such things as springs, coffee grinders, umbrellas and steel hoops. Jean-Pierre’s son, Armand, graduated from an engineering school in Paris and with his cousin Eugene decided to start manufacturing bicycles in 1865. When Peugeot acquired Chrysler Europe in 1978 it inherited a number of subsidiaries including Sunbeam, Singer, and Hillman Motor Car. Cycles Peugeot has been producing bicycles for 125 years.
Peugeot initially purchased 30% of Automobiles Citroen S.A. in 1974 but purchased the company when it went into bankruptcy two years later because of the 1973 oil crisis. The company has collaborated with Toyota, Maserati, Mitsubishi, Ford, Chrysler, General Motors and BMW. Peugeot Sport developed a sports Car in 1991 that finished second in the World Sports Car Championship. They won the cup for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The switched over to Formula One racing in 1994 and competed in the Jordan Grand Prix in ’95, ’96 and ’97, and the Prost Grand Prix in ’98, ’99 and 2000.
Going Forward
Peugeot has always been highly adaptable, from their early success as a coffee mill to producing some of the fastest racing cars ever built. They have maintained the highest level of innovative technology, always pushing their engineers and designers to new heights. Their engineers have experimented in all sorts of engines including a petro-hydraulic hybrid engine that uses compressed nitrogen gas. Mileage has been estimated at 80 miles per gallon for city driving and the purchase price will be around $25,000 US. Every car that Peugeot produces is equipped with anti-lock breaking system, electronic stability control, and their exclusive Distance Alert system. They are determined to build vehicles that are 100% electric, including scooters and bicycles, and have some concepts already produced.
They have focused on the following areas to advance their brand:
• Safety – Driving Control, Shock Protection, Aware Technology
• Connected Technology – Connect Apps, SOS Connect, Remote Monitoring
• Engines: Hybrid4, 100% Electric Vehicles, Particle Filters, e-HDI Micro Hybrid
