Peugeot

Peugeot's industrial roots date back to 1810 when the Peugeot family converted a flour mill into a steel foundry to produce saws and coffee grinders. The company entered the transportation sector with bicycles in 1882, followed by its first motor vehicle, a steam-powered tricycle, in 1889. Under Armand Peugeot's leadership, the firm quickly pivoted to internal combustion engines, establishing 'Automobiles Peugeot' as a standalone company in 1896 and becoming a pioneer in early 20th-century automotive engineering and motorsport. The modern era of the company began in 1976 when Peugeot acquired a majority stake in Citroën, forming the PSA Group (Peugeot Société Anonyme). This merger was followed by the 1978 acquisition of Chrysler Europe, though the brand faced financial difficulties until the 1983 launch of the legendary 205 supermini. The 205's massive commercial success and rally dominance saved the company and defined Peugeot's reputation for building stylish, fun-to-drive hatchbacks for decades to come. In the early 21st century, Peugeot focused on modular platform sharing and diesel technology leadership before shifting towards premium-market aspirations and electrification. In 2017, PSA expanded further by acquiring Opel and Vauxhall from General Motors. This growth culminated in the 2021 merger with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) to create Stellantis, currently one of the world's largest automotive groups, where Peugeot serves as a high-volume, upper-mainstream brand with a global footprint.