Peugeot Car Production By Model : 1945-59

Peugeot made its first car in 1889, a steam powered vehicle of which only four were made. The following year the decision was made to use petrol powered engines and production gradually increased. In 1929, the three numbered model designation with a central zero was introduced.

When World War II ended, the 202 model was restarted in production and went to 1949. the 2013 replaced it that year and was a popular car. Then came the 403 which was soon the mainstay of the range, all of two models.

	Year	403	203	202	Total
	1945	-	-	52	52
	1946	-	-	6,486	6,486
	1947	-	-	21,042	21,042
	1948	-	-	29,382	29,382
	1949	-	237	17,132	17,369
	1950	-	24,142	-	24,142
	1951	-	60,824	-	60,824
	1952	-	76,971	-	76,971
	1953	-	85,289	-	85,289
	1954	-	89,629	-	89,629
	1955	21,326	100,679	-	122,005
	1956	73,562	100,033	-	173,595
	1957	125,663	62,473	-	188,136
	1958	157,087	36,210	-	193,297
	1959	179,910	26,456	-	206,366

Data source: Freyssenet.com

202: A small family car first entering production in 1938. It was a fine looking car for its time, with very aerodynamic styling. Just over 100,000 were made in total.

203: Although replacing the 202 it was a medium sized car, with 4 door, wagon, cabriolet and coupe models made. It was very popular in France and enjoyed some export success. Production ended in early 1961.

403: This was a large car with with classic a look was a also a commercial success. It was the first Peugeot model to exceed one million units. Styling was by Pininfarina, the Italian design firm.

Summary: This was a period of limited materials and a continent getting back on its feet after the battering it took during the war. What was apparent was the steady growth of production as things began to normalise.

For the next article in the series (1960-69), click here.
Foe the last article in the series (2000-09), click here.