1935 - 1945
AERODYNAMICS REIGN (Page 2 of 2) | |
In the wings since the Twenties, Aero dynamics goes centrestage with the Sochaux rocket range. |
 | Peugeot VLV, an electric car (1941) |
1940 The Sochaux factories are occupied by the Germans. Under them, 500 vans are produced there per month. The Peugeot factories, like the rest of industry throughout the occupied countries are placed under the direction of Ferdinand Porsche. 1941 Introduction of the VLV, an electric car, to meet the fuel restrictions imposed by the occupying forces. It is manufactured close to Paris. 1943 During the night of 15 to 16 July, the factories are bombarded by RAF Lancaster planes. 125 of the Sochaux population die and 250 are injured. Sabotage teams are put in place. A number of Resistance-supporting directors, managers and workers are deported to Germany.
 | Sochaux bombardment (1943) |
1944 Liberation of the factories and town of Sochaux by the First Army under General de Lattre de Tassigny. 1945 The workshops have been destroyed, the factory has been looted and Sochaux now has only 9,400 workers. Restarting industrial operations proves difficult. 1946 Production restarts with the 202, the basic model in the Peugeot range. 14,000 units are produced in Sochaux in this year. 1947 Establishment of Sedis, a company specialising in the manufacture of transmission systems. | 