The world’s oldest car brand dates back to 1810, but it didn’t originally produce vehicles – and neither was Ford

THE WORLD’S oldest automaker had humble beginnings as a steel mill for watchmakers before eventually turning to bicycles and cars.

Two brothers founded the company in 1810 to manufacture springs and tools for other companies.

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Jean-Frédéric and Jean-Pierre II Peugeot had no idea that their industrial beginnings as a steel mill transformed from a family hydraulic factory would change the course of their family history.

His Sous-Cratet factory produced tools, springs, umbrella ribs, coffee grinders, watch parts, bicycles, and corset frames for several years before finally expanding to create a steam-powered three-wheeled vehicle in 1889.

Feeling inspired by Karl Benz’s work on the world’s first true car in 1866, Jean-Pierre II’s grandson Armand unveiled the Peugeot brand’s first concept at the Paris World’s Fair alongside esteemed engineer and designer Léon Serpollet.

Peugeot quickly gained traction as an emerging automaker with the company’s first Daimler-powered four-wheeler in 1890 – just a year after its prototype came to fruition.

In 1895, the company shifted its focus from bicycles to vans that could carry up to 1,100 pounds, transforming the company from a humble steel mill into a well-known family throughout Europe.

Then came the 203 – also known as the first car produced after the Second World War, and it was the first car manufactured as a unibody.

The vehicle was the first to have hemispherical cylinder heads in 1948 and was the first to have V-shaped valves.

The company also broke records after producing more than 500,000 units – something unheard of before mass production.

In the 1960s, Peugeot fully took off in Europe with the 404.

The 404 could be purchased as a sedan, a sporty convertible variation or even a station wagon – showcasing the company’s engineering prowess and dedication to its diverse customer base.

It was named Car of the Year in 1969 and boasted huge production numbers for the company, with nearly four million units manufactured.

The 1970s also proved to be a profitable year for Peugeot, as the 104 came to be called “the shortest sedan in the world”, or the smallest four-door on the planet.

It was also the time when Peugeot bought another major French carmaker, Citroën – expanding the company’s resources and markets.

The company’s 205 was produced in 1983 and was the chosen athlete in the World Cross Rally.

The vehicle’s excellent performance in sports brought Peugeot global fame and ended up breaking records as the best-selling car in France and the most exported French vehicle to date.

Peugeot is currently merged with Stellantis, which has promised to bring the French company from humble beginnings to the American market in 2019.

However, export plans were canceled when the company changed course to develop the Alfa Romeo brand in Europe.

In 2022, the brand’s 208 was recognized as the best-selling vehicle in 29 European countries, as well as the company’s leading EV – one in every four EVs sold was I discovered it was a Peugeot.

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