France has produced a number of car brands that have been actively trading vehicles across the global car industry. Peugeot is one of those well-known French car names that are recognised and renowned the world over. Peugeot is currently the second biggest car manufacturer in the entire European continent, following the lead of course from Germany's Volkswagen.
Peugeot is the other brand behind the merged PSA Peugeot Citroen. As a company, Peugeot was not originally established to be a car assembly business. The company originally manufactured bicycles that have been widely designed and marketed until 1926. During that time, the popularity of the car market was starting to be felt across the whole of the entire transport industry.
Because Peugeot was practically one of the biggest car brands not just in Europe but also across the globe, it was just logical that the company was cash enriched. Thus, when buying any acquisition opportunities arising, the company is almost always readily jumping to take the assets. That is the case when the company moved to accumulate a significant stake (30%) in fellow French carmaker Citroen in 1974.
The following year, in 1975, Citroen was completely acquired by Peugeot. Thus, the creation of the Peugeot Citroen was spurred. Prior to that combination, the two companies already forged a raw material purchase agreement in 1963 to 1965. Therefore, the combination was more resulting to years of affiliation and cooperation, making the combined company more resilient and effective.
Peugeot, even without the expertise and technology of partner Citroen has been widely appreciated and recognised in the manufacture of motor sports. The performance of the vehicles carrying the Peugeot brand name could never be underestimated and neglected.
Another distinct feature of Peugeot cars is the manner by how Peugeot cars are named and modelled. Usually, the car models are identified and named using sequential numbers, or three-digit numerals. Actually, the numbers are not given as simple and identifying codes. The numbers signify importance and manufacturing descriptors that would help the company more and easily distinguish one of its models from the others.
The sleek and unique car assembly design of the Peugeot has earned the company the reputation to be called pug or pugs especially in the United Kingdom market. Linguistic analysis would give a hint that pug nicknames are directly coming from the Peugeot car brand name instead of the striking characteristic similarity of the cars to the breed of small dogs.
In terms of contemporary car design, Peugeot has evolved through the years. The company must have realised that engine and overall vehicle performance is not enough to impress the market. Thus, from the old style designs of cars in the early part of the 20th century, Peugeot has also acknowledged the fact that modern car design is moving towards the sleek and ergonomic car designs. Now, under Peugeot Citroen, Peugeot cars are really among the most fashionable there are in the expanding global car industry.
Peugeot cars are not just cars for yesteryears. They are also cars of the present times and of the future.
Original Authors: Manny
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 10/06/2008
