Beginning. Peugeot manufactured its first car in 1882. However, the company had already been established in 1810 and initially manufactured coffee grinders. Next, it began to manufacture bicycles (which it has continued until the present time). In 1858, the Iwa symbol was reserved. The first Peugeot model was powered by a steam engine and it had three wheels. In 1890, the company launched a Daimler-licensed car with an internal combustion engine.
Development. During World War I, Peugeot manufactured bicycles, motorcycles, lorries and passengers cars for the French Army. The company also manufactured aeroplane and tank engines, as well as bombs. Ferdinand Porsche took over the Peugeot facilities after World War II. The 203 model rolled out of the factory after the war. At the beginning of the 1960s, the company's cars were created in cooperation with the Italian design studio Pininfarina. In 1973, Peugeot bought 30% of the shares in Citroën, and this had increased to 90% two years later. Michelin took part in the transaction — it received 10% of Peugeot shares. This is how the PSA group was created.
Present. The year 1998 marked a breakthrough for the company — the launch of the 206 model. The original body style could also be seen in higher models. Peugeot established its sales representative office in 1992. In June 2008, the 50-millionth Peugeot car was manufactured. At present, the company has 24 manufacturing facilities all over the world.
Contribution to the automotive industry. Peugeot was the first car manufacturer to use rubber wheels. Initially, the tyres were not filled with air — they were made of solid rubber. Air-filled tyres were first used in races by Michelin in 1895.
Trivia. Special versions of the largest Peugeot executive cars (currently the Peugeot 607 model) are used by the French President. This model is also owned by many French entrepreneurs. Peugeot cars were awarded the Car of the Year title three times — in 1969 (the 504 model), 1988 (the 405 model) and in 2002 (the 307 model).
Models. More popular Peugeot models include: Peugeot 205, Peugeot 206, Peugeot 306, Peugeot 405, Peugeot 406, Peugeot 605 and Peugeot 607.
Tyres. Peugeot offers a large number of car models. The most popular tyre sizes, which are installed in various versions of the brand's cars, include: 145/70 R13, 155/70 R13, 175/65 R14, 185/60 R15, 185/65 R15, 195/55 R16, 205/55 R16, 215/55 R16. Peugeot, like every car manufacturer, cooperates with many tyre manufacturers. This cooperation consists of supplying tyres as part of the Peugeot brand original equipment. A few examples of this cooperation are listed below: The Peugeot Boxer was equipped with Firestone CV3000 tyres, Peugeot 406 was equipped with Michelin Energy tyres.