The Peugeot family began in manufacturing in 1810 with a steel foundry in Valentigney, Montbéliard, France, initially producing saws. The business expanded to include coffee grinders circa 1840, waist corsets in the 1850s, and pepper grinders in 1874. Before automobiles, the company manufactured bicycles, with Armand Peugeot introducing his “Le Grand Bi” penny-farthing in 1882. The company’s logo initially depicted a lion walking on an arrow, symbolizing the speed, strength, and flexibility of the Peugeot saw blades.
In 1896, Armand Peugeot founded the Société des Automobiles Peugeot, building a new factory at Audincourt to focus entirely on cars. Peugeot began building its own engines in 1896, no longer relying on Daimler. The first Peugeot engine, designed by Rigoulot, was an 8 hp (6.0 kW) horizontal twin fitted to the Type 15. Peugeot was an early participant in motor racing, with Albert Lemaître winning the Paris–Rouen race in 1894. In 1913, a Peugeot won the Indianapolis 500, driven by Jules Goux, and also won in 1916 and 1919.
During World War I, Peugeot turned to arms production, manufacturing armoured cars, bicycles, and shells. After the war, car production resumed, and Peugeot continued racing. In 1929, the Peugeot 201 was introduced, becoming the cheapest car on the French market. The 1930s saw the introduction of the Peugeot 402 BL Éclipse Décapotable, a convertible with a retractable hardtop. In 1955, the Peugeot 403 was introduced, selling one million copies by the end of its production run in 1962. The 404, introduced in 1960, won the East African Safari Rally four times, in 1963, 1966, 1967, and 1968.
In 1974, Peugeot bought a 30% share of Citroën and took over the company completely in 1975. The joint parent company became the PSA Peugeot Citroën group. In 1978, the group took over the European division of Chrysler. In 1983, Peugeot launched the 205 supermini, which is credited with improving the company's fortunes. In 2006, Peugeot closed its Ryton manufacturing facility in Coventry, England.
In 2020, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Peugeot Citroën announced a merger, which was completed in January 2021, creating Stellantis. The Peugeot brand continues to operate under the Stellantis umbrella.
Peugeot has also been involved in motorsport beyond automobiles, including motorcycles and bicycles. Peugeot produced an electric motor scooter, the Peugeot iOn, from 1996 to 2006. The company also produced bicycles starting in 1882. Additionally, Peugeot Saveurs, a separate family-owned firm, continues to manufacture kitchen and table-service equipment, including pepper grinders and corkscrews.
Peugeot has produced a wide range of vehicles, categorized by series numbers, including the 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 series. Recent models include the 208, 308, 508, 2008, and 3008. Peugeot has also produced concept cars.
Peugeot has received numerous international accolades, including six European Car of the Year awards. The brand also boasts over a century of success in motorsport, with victories including the Indianapolis 500 in 1913, 1916, and 1919. Peugeot Sport has won the World Rally Championship five times, the Dakar Rally seven times, the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times, and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb three times.
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