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| PEUGEOT PETE'S COLUMN
PSA Peugeot-Citroën 1976-1994
by Peugeot Pete1976 Peugeot Merges with Citroen in April. Peugeot S.A. acquires 90% of the capital of Citroen, following an exchange of shares with Michelin. In May, the Peugeot-Citroen group is created by the merger of Citroen SA and Peugeot SA, in which Peugeot takes over Citroen. PSA holds 100% of the two automakers.. Peugeot Lille (CLM subsequently Indénor) makes its millionth diesel engine. The French army uses armored vehicles produced by the group's Panhard subsidiary. The ten-millionth Peugeot car is produced. the Citroen LN is launched.
The group's annual output: 1,513,500 vehicles. 1977 Launch of the 305 creation of the Peugeot-Loire company.
Production: SMAE (Société Mécanique Automobile de l'Est) is set up in Trémery, in the Lorraine region, to manufacture gear boxes and new engines for the two marque's mid-sized ranges. The Vigo facility manufactures the 504, bringing Peugeot back onto the Spanish market.
Acquisition: of SAMM, a company manufacturing components for the aeronautics industry.
The group's annual output: 1,612,800 vehicles. 1978 PSA Peugeot- Citroen buys the three European subsidiaries of Chrysler Corporation: Chrysler-France (Simca), Chrysler UK (Sunbeam-Rootes) and Chrysler España. At the same time in gaining a range of cars and brands , Peugeot acquires industrial sites at Poissy in France, Ryton in Great Britain and Villaverde in Spain--and several foreign distribution firms. As a result, PSA Peugeot Citroen becomes the leading European automaker. In cooperation with Fiat on the engineering and production of utility vehicles in a jointly-held company, SEVEL (Société Européenne de Véhicules Légers). Its production facility is based in Val di Sangro, Italy.
Launches: the Citroen Visa and the Simca Horizon.
The group's annual output: 2,488,600 vehicles. 1979 In February, Peugeot is the first company to offer a turbo diesel engine on the 604, the first car of this type to be marketed on the European market. On 10 July, Peugeot announce the revival of the Talbot name, a trade name it acquired on buying Simca, to market the products of the Chrysler Europe subsidiaries which it had bought the previous year. Launch of the 505 (1,351,254 units to end 1999). PSA Peugeot-Citroen becomes Peugeot SA. Creation of Credipar, Compagnie Générale de Crédit aux Particuliers. The Simca Horizon is chosen Car of the Year.
The group's annual output: 2,328,100 vehicles. 1980 Corporate structure: Peugeot and Talbot merge. A joint department is created to handle purchasing for Peugeot, Talbot and Citroen. A group research department is also created. Facilities are set up in Valenciennes for gear boxes and Villers-la-Montagne for foundry work. The Citroen corporate campaign designed by Savignac kicks off and Aventure Peugeot is created. After 68 years on the Quai de Javel, Citroen transfers its headquarters to Neuilly. Peugeot becomes the official partner of the Roland-Garros, Tennis tournament. The first prototype of the electric 205 is built. Launch of the 305 estate. 1981 Appointment of Jean Todt to head up Peugeot-Talbot-Sport in October. Launch of the Talbot Tagora, Samba and the Peugeot J5 commercial vehicle in March. Establishment of three new companies for subsidiaries specializing in tools : POE (Peugeot Outillage Électrique), Scival (Société Industrielle des SCIles de VALentigney) and SIFCO (Société Industrielle et Commerciale Française d'Outil-lage).Launches the first Peugeot scooter, the C25. 1982 Launch of the P4 military vehicle, designed for the French Army, the Citroen BX is launched. Centenary of Cycles Peugeot in 1982. 1983 The 205 comes out in seven versions in February (5,258,789 units to end 1999). It will be the springboard for Peugeot's spectacular recovery following the difficult years after the takeover of Chrysler Europe. The 205 GTI, a real little flier, sets a new standard for sporty driving and road holding for driving enthusiasts, raises the image of the 205 the following year and gives a turbo boost to the commercial success of the sacré numéro of the Peugeot range. The T16 competition models and its victories in the world championships gain an international image for Peugeot and establish its prestige and success definitively. In June, Aciers et Outillage Peugeot transfers its shareholding in the capital of Peugeot-Loire (cold rolling of steel) to Usinor. 1985 - 1994 THE AGE OF CHAMPIONS
Rallies and endurance trials, Peugeot is the uncontested winner in all categories. 1985 The launch of the 309 (1,638,623 units). The Guangzhou agreement gives official approval to the establishment of a Peugeot plant in China. Peugeot wins the WRC (World Rally Championship) with Salonen and Harjanne in a 205 Turbo 16. 1986 Peugeot picks up its second WRC (World Rally Championship) win with Kankkunen and Piironen in the 205 Turbo 16. A nearly FRF 10 billion investment program is launched at the Sochaux production facilities. Production of the Talbot models comes to an end. The European Prometheus program begins, with group participation. Its objective is to set the standards for intelligent roads and cars. While the French sculptor César is compressing 205 T16s, Peugeot becomes once again World Rally and Drivers Champion with the same car. Launches the 205 convertible, the 309 GTI models and the Citroen AX.
The group's annual output: 1,755,400 vehicles. 1987 In May, Peugeot unveils 10 versions of its stylish 405 saloon simultaneously with the restyling of the 205. It comes with petrol or diesel engines. In November, Montbéliard hosts an exhibition of contemporary art and the automobile, a landmark in art history. Following the end of Group B rallying, Peugeot turns its attention to a different rally form and, at its first attempt, wins the much coveted Paris-Dakar Rally, with the team of Ari Vatanen and Bernard Giroux in a 205 T-16. Launch of the Sochaux 2000 renovation project at the Sochaux industrial site. Launch of the 405 Mi 16. Aciers et Outillages Peugeot merges with Cycles Peugeot to form ECIA (Equipements et Composants pour l'Industrie Automobile), a PSA subsidiary producing equipment and components for the automobile industry throughout Europe (2,433,734 units to end 1999).
The group's annual output: 1,952,500 vehicles. 1988 In January, Peugeot again wins the Paris-Dakar race with Kankkunen and Piironen in the new 405 T-16 that has replaced the 205 T-16. In July, the Peugeot museum, Muse de l'Aventure Peugeot, opens its doors in Sochaux. At the Paris Motor Show in October, Peugeot unveils the Oxia concept car, in a blaze of super car euphoria . It is evidence of Peugeot's know-how and energy, because the Oxia is not merely an exercise in style but a real high performance sports car. PSA Peugeot Citroen and Fiat Auto sign a new agreement on cooperation in the engineering and production of minivans, which are built at a new production site in France. Inauguration of the Peugeot Museum in Sochaux, which highlights the roles played by the Peugeot companies in France's industrial history. Citroen organizes Operation Dragon in China: 140 young Europeans cover 4,500 km in AXs. Creation of Peugeot Japan and the signing of an industrial agreement with the Iran-based Khodro group on local production of the 405.
The 405 is elected Car of the Year.
The group's annual output: 2,103,700 vehicles. 1989 In January, a third Peugeot victory in the Paris-Dakar rally with the Vatanen-Berglund team in a 405 T-16. In February, Peugeot unveils the 405 with integrated transmission. Peugeot chooses the Frankfurt Motor Show to unveil its prestigious 605 saloon. December sees the production figure for the 309 reach the one million mark at the Poissy production line. The 405 MI-16 (254,350 units to end 1999). A FRF 5 billion investment program is launched at the Rennes plant. The 205 is now being assembled in Uruguay. Peugeot wins the Paris-Dakar rally with the 405 T16. The AX Sport becomes the French Rally Champion. Citroen Competitions becomes Citroen Sport. Launches the Peugeot 605 and the Citroen XM, the first car ever to be fitted with an intelligent hydractive suspension.
The group's annual output: 2,232,400 vehicles. 1990 marks the centenary of Peugeot's automobile production. In January comes the fourth - and last -Peugeot victory in the Paris-Dakar rally with the Vatanen- Berglund team driving a 405 T-16. The 205 breaks the 3.5 million figure for vehicles produced while, in July, the millionth 405 emerges from the Sochaux factory. At the same time, Peugeot introduces the 905 fitted with a company V10 engine, designed for the World Sports Car Championship of 1991. Citroen introduces the ZX Rallye Raid, which competes in the next WRC (World Rally Championships). Farewell to the legendary 2CV: its production comes to an end on July 27. In all, 3,868,631 units of the over 30 versions were produced. Electric versions of the C15 and the C25 are presented. The XM is elected Car of the Year.
The group's annual output: 2,208,200 vehicles. 1991 February sees production of the 605 in Sochaux reach a figure of 100,000. In April comes the first Peugeot victory of the Peugeot 905 in Suzuka (Baldi/Alliot). The 905 scores further victories: the first at Magny-Cours in September (Rosberg/Dalmas) followed by another in Mexico in October with the same team aboard. In September, launch of the 106 built in Mulhouse. September (2,463,930 units to end 1999). 1992 The 905 starts a fabulous season which brings a string of victories. It begins with Silverstone in May (Warwick/Dalmas) and then follows with the Le Mans 24 hour race in June (Alliot/Baldi/Jabouille), Donington in July (Baldi/Alliot), Suzuka in August (Warwick/Dalmas) and Magny-Cours in October (Baldi/Alliot). The season culminates in triumph with Peugeot-Talbot-Sports taking the world sports car championship and Derek Warwick taking the drivers championship in the same category. Launch of the turbo 16-valve 405, with 4-wheel drive, called the T16. PSA Peugeot Citroen and Renault sign a cooperation agreement on development and production of automatic gear boxes. Final agreements are signed on creating a joint venture to assemble ZX models in China: Dongfeng Citroen Automobile Company is created. A terminal unit is set up in Wuhan, Hubei province. Mechanical activities are based in Xiangfan. Peugeot Egypt is created, and industrial production of the 405 begins at Sevel Argentina. Inauguration of the Citroen training institute, which can host 1,000 trainees a day. Peugeot Cycles, an Ecia subsidiary, is sold to Cycleurope. Citroen wins the Paris-Moscow-Beijing rally.
The group's annual output: 2,049,800 vehicles. 1993 In February, Peugeot unveils the 306 (2,423,904 units to end 1999) while the 205 celebrates its tenth birthday and the production figure approaches the 5 million mark. In June, the Peugeot 905 Evolution repeats its 1992 exploits by once again winning the Le Mans 24 hours race (Brabham, Bouchut and Hélary) this time pulling off a triple coup, with three cars in the top three, thus confirming the technical quality of car and engine. Peugeot leaves the sports prototypes world championships with great success and announces its entry into Formula 1 for the 1994 season. In a world first, PSA hands over fifty AX's and 106 electrics to customers in La Rochelle, under normal running conditions, as part of a large-scale real-life trial of electric cars. ECIA transfers its electric tools division to the Italian company, Stayer. Peugeot Motorcycles launches a new generation of scooters with the Fox. Peugeot joins with the CNPA to recover wastes from car maintenance and repairs. Citroen adopts the new slogan Discover what Citroen can do for you. Peugeot Outillage Electrique is sold to Stayer. With the ZX Rallye Raid, Citroen wins the World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies and the best drivers' title. Launches the Peugeot 306 and the Citroen Xantia.
The group's annual output: 1,751,600 vehicles. 1994 Peugeot enters Formula 1 in partnership with McLaren and comes out fourth in the World Championships. In March 1994, Peugeot unveils the 806 MPV (125,018 units to end 1999), the product of a joint project agreed by PSA Peugeot Citroen and Fiat in 1978. The Citroen Évasion, Fiat Ulysse and Lancia Zeta share the same platform and, like the 806, are built in the brand new Sevel Nord factory which employs 3500 people. The same partnership also produces the Boxer, a commercial vehicle with a capacity of 7.5 to 13 cu. m. built in the Sevel factory in Val di Sangro in Italy. In October, at the World Auto Show in Paris, Peugeot unveils the Ion electric concept car, a mini MPV electric car for urban use. Laurent Aiello wins the French super tourism championship in a 405 Mi16. Peugeot Motorcycles completes its new scooters range with the introduction of the Zenith, Buxy and Speedake. This first European facility for minivan production, requiring an investment of FRF 6 billion, employs 3,500 people. Its capacity is 130,000 units a year. PSA Peugeot Citroen joins ACEA, the Association of European Automobile Constructors. The Citroen Design and Syling Center is inaugurated at the Vélizy site, and the marque celebrates its 75th anniversary in Amsterdam, the birthplace of André Citroen. Trials are carried out on 1,000 Citroen XMs with multiplex electrics. Ray Charles drives the 306 convertible in Salt Lake City. The ZX Rallye Raid cars win the World Cup.
The group's annual output: 1,989,800 vehicles. Compiled and Authored by
PEUGEOT PETE
peugpete@aol.com
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