France
Peugeot
Peugeot is one of the oldest automobile manufacturers in the world. The family business dates back to 1810, when Jean-Pierre and Jean-Frédéric Peugeot converted a family mill in the Montbéliard region of eastern France into a steelworks. Throughout the 19th century, the House of Peugeot manufactured tools, saw blades, coffee and pepper grinders, corset stays, and then bicycles starting in the 1880s. The first motorized vehicle, a steam tricycle designed with Léon Serpollet, appeared in 1889, and Automobiles Peugeot was incorporated in 1896. The lion, the brand's emblem, has accompanied Peugeot throughout its history. In the 20th century, Peugeot established itself as a major mainstream manufacturer in Europe with popular models such as the 203, 204, 205, 305, and 405. In 1976, Peugeot took over Citroën to form the PSA Peugeot Citroën group, then acquired Chrysler's European operations (the Talbot brand) in 1978. The group added Opel and Vauxhall to its portfolio in 2017. In January 2021, PSA merged with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) to create Stellantis, one of the largest automotive groups in the world. Peugeot thus became one of Stellantis's fourteen brands. In North America, Peugeot sold cars in the United States until 1991, after which it withdrew from the market. A return was considered in the 2010s, but Stellantis officially abandoned the plan in 2021, repeatedly confirming since then that no return to the United States or Canada is on the agenda, with the group preferring to rely in North America on its established brands such as Jeep, Ram, Dodge, and Chrysler.
ActivePerformanceÉlectrique / hybrideCamion / utilitairePopulairesEuropéennes
History
History of Peugeot
Peugeot is one of the oldest automobile manufacturers in the world. The family business dates back to 1810, when Jean-Pierre and Jean-Frédéric Peugeot converted a family mill in the Montbéliard region of eastern France into a steelworks. Throughout the 19th century, the House of Peugeot manufactured tools, saw blades, coffee and pepper grinders, corset stays, and then bicycles starting in the 1880s. The first motorized vehicle, a steam tricycle designed with Léon Serpollet, appeared in 1889, and Automobiles Peugeot was incorporated in 1896. The lion, the brand's emblem, has accompanied Peugeot throughout its history. In the 20th century, Peugeot established itself as a major mainstream manufacturer in Europe with popular models such as the 203, 204, 205, 305, and 405. In 1976, Peugeot took over Citroën to form the PSA Peugeot Citroën group, then acquired Chrysler's European operations (the Talbot brand) in 1978. The group added Opel and Vauxhall to its portfolio in 2017. In January 2021, PSA merged with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) to create Stellantis, one of the largest automotive groups in the world. Peugeot thus became one of Stellantis's fourteen brands. In North America, Peugeot sold cars in the United States until 1991, after which it withdrew from the market. A return was considered in the 2010s, but Stellantis officially abandoned the plan in 2021, repeatedly confirming since then that no return to the United States or Canada is on the agenda, with the group preferring to rely in North America on its established brands such as Jeep, Ram, Dodge, and Chrysler.
Public founding or origin of Peugeot.
205: launch or first listed period.
206: launch or first listed period.
208: launch or first listed period.
3008: launch or first listed period.
308: launch or first listed period.
Technologies
Technologies, innovations and platforms
Peugeot relies on the modular platforms of the Stellantis group. The CMP platform (and its electric variant e-CMP) underpins small cars such as the 208, while the EMP2 long served compacts and SUVs such as the 308 and the second-generation 3008. Since 2023, the new STLA Medium architecture has equipped the third-generation 3008, with significantly increased electric range. On the powertrain side, Peugeot offers PureTech turbo gasoline engines, BlueHDi diesels, mild and plug-in hybrids, as well as a growing electric lineup (e-208, e-2008, e-308, e-3008). The cabin stands out with the i-Cockpit, introduced in 2012: a small steering wheel, a raised instrument cluster, and a large touchscreen. The brand also integrates numerous driver-assistance systems (emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping). By model: Front-wheel drive, gasoline and diesel engines from 1.0 to 1.9 litres, including the GTI version in 1.6 (105 hp) and later 1.9 (130 hp). Lightweight construction, with road manners reputed to be lively and agile for the era. Front-wheel drive on a small PSA platform. Gasoline (1.1 to 2.0) and common-rail HDi diesel engines. A chassis reputed to be well balanced, with an extensive range of body styles. CMP/e-CMP platform. PureTech turbo gasoline engines, BlueHDi diesel, and the electric e-208 version (100 hp, then 115/156 hp depending on the model year). i-Cockpit driving position, modern driver-assistance systems. EMP2 then STLA Medium platforms. PureTech gasoline, BlueHDi diesel, plug-in hybrid, and electric (e-3008) powertrains with high range. i-Cockpit, a complete suite of driver-assistance systems. EMP2 platform (future generations on STLA architecture). PureTech gasoline, BlueHDi diesel, plug-in hybrid, and electric e-308 versions. i-Cockpit cabin, advanced driver-assistance systems.
Brand image
Identity, reputation, strengths and weaknesses
Positioning
Peugeot is a French mainstream manufacturer with a bold style, absent from the North American market but a major player in Europe.
Reputation
In Europe, Peugeot enjoys a solid reputation as a mainstream manufacturer offering good value for money, refined styling, and well-regarded ride comfort. Several models, including the 3008, have received awards and show good resale-value retention. Reliability is generally rated as adequate, but the 1.2 PureTech gasoline engine has drawn pointed criticism due to its timing belt running in oil ("wet belt"), a source of premature wear on certain versions prior to 2022. The BlueHDi and HDi diesels are generally recognized for their durability. Overall, the brand image remains positive in Europe.
Strengths
Peugeot stands out for its modern, recognizable design, a refined cabin with the i-Cockpit, good ride comfort, and a complete range spanning from city cars to SUVs. The brand offers a wide choice of powertrains (gasoline, diesel, hybrid, electric) and competitive pricing. Its heritage and longevity, with more than two centuries of existence, reinforce its credibility in Europe.
Points to watch
The main point of caution concerns the 1.2 PureTech gasoline engine in older versions, whose "wet" timing belt has caused failures. Some electronic equipment and touchscreens can present reliability or ergonomics issues. Above all, for a North American buyer, the complete absence of a dealer network and official parts in Canada makes maintenance and supply considerably more difficult.
Models
Peugeot models
Current or active models by market
Notable past models
Production and compatibility
Plants, tires and wheels
Production
Peugeot's production is concentrated in Europe, with historic sites in France such as Sochaux (the birthplace of the brand, where the 3008 is notably assembled), Mulhouse, and Poissy, along with plants in Spain, Slovakia, and elsewhere in the world through the Stellantis network. The electric 3008 and its battery are assembled in Sochaux. Peugeot has no factory or production in North America: the brand has not sold vehicles in the United States or Canada since the early 1990s, and Stellantis has confirmed it has no plans to return to this market. In Quebec, you will therefore no longer find new Peugeots in the catalogue, only a few older imported or collector models.
Tires and wheels
The Peugeots sold in Europe mainly cover the city-car and compact segments: small models such as the 205, 206, and 208 generally use small-diameter wheels (typically around 14 to 17 inches depending on the trim), while compacts and SUVs such as the 308 and 3008 often run larger wheels (up to 18-20 inches on the high-end versions). The bolt pattern is usually 4-lug on older models and 5-lug on recent models and SUVs. For a vehicle driven in Quebec, certified winter tires are mandatory and essential; you should check the exact size marked on the sidewall and on the manufacturer's plate before choosing tires and wheels.