5 Interesting Facts About Peugeot You Probably Didn’t Know

One of the most popular and reliable vehicles for traveling through Europe—or any other country for that matter—is the Peugeot. If you’re not familiar with these cars, the Peugeot is a French vehicle that is produced by Europe’s second largest car manufacturer.

Here are a few interesting facts about Peugeot vehicles and the company that produces them.
 

1. The Peugeot Company Started Out As A Coffee Mill

Although Peugeot is the world’s oldest manufacturer of cars, when the company first got started, it didn’t even make cars. Originally, it was founded as a coffee mill in 1810. French brothers Jean Pierre and Jean-Pierre II converted their father’s old grain mill into a steel foundry, producing items ranging from coffee grinders, salt and pepper grinders, springs and saws to even umbrella frames.
 

2. The First Peugeot Car Had Three Wheels

It wasn’t until almost the end of the 19th century in 1886 that Peugeot came out with their first automobile thanks to designer Leon Serpollet. This car was a steam-operated vehicle that had three wheels. However, only four cars of this type were made. Because of the heaviness of the steam-power engine, warming up the car was a long process. As a result, improvements were made with the company’s first 4-wheeled vehicle, driven by petrol, which came out in 1890.
 

3. Peugeot Manufactured and Produced Military Vehicles During World War I

The company had to take a break from manufacturing cars when World War I rolled around. It was then that Peugeot started producing military vehicles. In fact, Peugeot was one of the main manufacturers of arms, bicycles, military tanks and shells. Once World War I ended, they got back to making cars.
 

4. An Electric Peugeot Vehicle Was Introduced in 1941

The company introduced the small electric vehicle, known as the VLV, in 1941 to help solve fuel restrictions. But the manufacture of these cars stopped because of World War II. A few years after the war, the Peugeot 203 came on the market, setting new records in sales. In the 1960s, the last of these electric cars were produced.  
 

5. The Peugeot Company Has Won Several International Awards

Peugeot has received the coveted “European Car of the Year” award on numerous occasion.

• The first winner was the Peugeot 504 in 1969, followed by the Peugeot 405 in 1988.
• It was the Peugeot 307 that also won this award in 2002.
• What’s more, several Peugeot cars have experienced second and third place rankings in the European Car of the Year competition.
• In 2009, it was the Peugeot 308 Turbo that was awarded the Overall Car of the Year award.
• Furthermore, the company has two awards for the Semperit Irish Car of the Year.
• Peugeot has won five Car of the Year awards in Italy, besides nine other Car of the Year awards in Spain.
   

Additional Facts

• The company sponsors the Sochaux football club, which was started by a member of the Peugeot family.
• The Peugeot company places a high premium on safety. For example, their 308 model has a system, known as LDWS, which cautions drivers of any unintended lane departures.
• The 308 includes other features such as an Electronic Brake Force Distribution system, an ABS system and a Brake Assist system, for added safety.
• Peugeot Motorcycles are a leading manufacturer of European bicycles, scooters, and mopeds. Between 1903 and 1983, their bikes won 10 Tour de Frances races.
• It was a Peugeot car, driven by Jules Goux, that won the Indianapolis 500 in 1913. 

Peugeot vehicles are one of the most preferred and dependable cars rented by tourists traveling throughout Europe. To learn more about what these exceptional vehicles have to offer, get in touch with us. As specialists in long-term car rentals, we can help you select just the right Peugeot vehicle for your European trip.