215 Years Ago, Peugeot’s Adventure Began
This page is translated from the original post "Il y a 215 ans, le début de l’aventure Peugeot" in French.
- 26/09/2025 11:34
From a small foundry to an iconic manufacturer, Peugeot has traversed the centuries by innovating and reinventing mobility.
On September 26, 1810, Jean-Pierre and Jean-Frédéric Peugeot founded their company in Doubs, transforming a family mill into a foundry specializing in steel, springs, and tools. This small workshop laid the foundations for the oldest car brand still active in the world.
From its early days, Peugeot distinguished itself by its ability to diversify and innovate. In the mid-19th century, the company ventured into manufacturing coffee mills, then bicycles, already anticipating its role in mobility. A famous anecdote recounts that, to test the durability of its bicycles, Peugeot engineers did not hesitate to make them descend the steep slopes of Doubs, thus ensuring their robustness before commercialization.
Then came the automobile
In 1889, Peugeot officially entered the history of automobiles with the Type 2, a petrol-powered vehicle, soon followed by models like the Type 3 and Type 5. These early attempts demonstrated the brand’s technical daring and taste for innovation. In the following decade, Peugeot once again distinguished itself by participating in pioneering car races, reinforcing its image as a dynamic and forward-thinking manufacturer.
The 20th century saw Peugeot become a key player. The 201 in 1929 marked an industrial and commercial turning point. As the first car to use the zero-centered naming system, it was followed by iconic models like the 203, 403, and 404, true symbols of robustness and elegance. In the 1980s, the 205 established itself as the popular and modern car that captured the public’s heart.
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Today, Peugeot continues its evolution with the 3008, 5008, and e-208 range, embodying the energy transition. Electric and hybrid models demonstrate its ability to reinvent itself, essential for survival.
September 26, 2025, is therefore not just an anniversary date. It celebrates 215 years of audacity, passion, and ingenuity, recalling how a small foundry from Doubs became a global symbol of the automobile, capable of projecting itself into the future of mobility.
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