Peugeot vs Suzuki: Founders, CEOs and History
Peugeot was founded in 1810 by Armand Peugeot and is led by Alain Favey. Suzuki was founded in 1909 by Michio Suzuki and is led by Toshihiro Suzuki.
Company facts
Founders
Peugeot
Armand Peugeot
Armand Peugeot (1849-1915) was the member of the Peugeot industrial family who took the business into motor vehicles.
Suzuki
Michio Suzuki
Michio Suzuki founded the Suzuki Loom Works in 1909. A brilliant, highly pragmatic inventor, he initially built incredibly reliable, highly innovative mechanical weaving looms for Japan's massive silk industry.
CEOs and their tenures
Peugeot
- Maxime Picat2012–2016
Chief Executive Officer, Peugeot
He moved the brand upmarket with the 308 and 2008. Jean-Philippe Imparato succeeded him in 2016.
Source - Jean-Philippe Imparato2016–2021
Chief Executive Officer, Peugeot
He launched the 3008 and 208 generations and their electric versions. He moved to Alfa Romeo in 2021 and Linda Jackson succeeded him.
Source - Linda Jackson2021–2025
Global Chief Executive Officer, Peugeot
The Peugeot 208 was Europe's best-selling car in 2022 during her tenure.
Source - Alain Favey2025–present
Chief Executive Officer, Peugeot
Former Europcar Mobility Group CEO; succeeded Linda Jackson on February 3, 2025.
Source
Suzuki
- Osamu Suzuki1978–2021
President & Chairman (19782021)
Transformed a regional Japanese motorcycle and kei car manufacturer into a global automotive leader producing over 3 million cars annually.
Source - Toshihiro Suzuki2015–present
Representative Director & President / CEO
Modernized Suzuki's product lineup, maintained market leadership in India and Japan, and navigated the capital-intensive transition to electrification while preserving corporate profitability.
Source
Timeline: Peugeot and Suzuki side by side
1810Peugeot
Peugeot Brothers Found Steel Foundry in Sous-Cratet: Jean-Pierre and Jean-Frédéric Peugeot convert a grain mill into a steel foundry, manufacturing saw blades, watch springs, and coffee grinders with…
1889Peugeot
First Automobile Produced by Armand Peugeot: Armand Peugeot exhibits the Serpollet-Peugeot Type 1 steam tricycle at the 1889 Paris Exposition, transitioning the company permanently to motorized transp…
1909Suzuki
Michio Suzuki Founds Suzuki Loom Works: Michio Suzuki establishes Suzuki Loom Works in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, manufacturing innovative weaving looms for Japan's booming textile trade.
1952Suzuki
Launch of Power Free Motorized Bicycle: Suzuki enters motorized transportation with the Power Free 36cc two-stroke motorized bicycle, designed to provide affordable transportation for post-war Japanes…
1955Suzuki
Launch of Suzulight: Japan's Kei Car Pioneer: Introduces the Suzulight, a lightweight front-wheel-drive 360cc passenger car that helped pioneer Japan's official kei car minivehicle regulations.
1970Suzuki
Launch of First-Generation Jimny (LJ10): Unveils the Jimny LJ10, the world's first mass-produced 4x4 minivehicle, initiating a half-century global off-road cult phenomenon.
1976Peugeot
Acquisition of Citroën & Formation of PSA Group: Peugeot takes over Citroën to form PSA Peugeot Citroën, creating the unified industrial champion of the French automotive industry.
1978Peugeot
Chrysler Europe Acquired
PSA bought the European operations of Chrysler in 1978.
1982Suzuki
Historic Joint Venture Agreement Forming Maruti Udyog in India: Osamu Suzuki signs a landmark joint venture agreement with the Government of India, establishing Maruti Udyog Limited to motorized the s…
1983Peugeot
Launch of the Legendary Peugeot 205 & 205 GTI: Releases the 205 supermini, a runaway design and commercial triumph that saves Peugeot from bankruptcy and becomes a hot-hatch rallying legend.
1983Suzuki
Rollout of the Maruti 800 in India: The first Maruti 800 rolls off the Gurgaon assembly line, priced accessibly to become the definitive people's car that motorized modern India.
1998Peugeot
Debut of the Peugeot 206: Launches the 206 hatchback, which sells over 10 million units to become the best-selling French automobile of all time.
2004Suzuki
Launch of First Global Strategic Vehicle: Suzuki Swift: Debuts the redesigned Suzuki Swift as a global strategic hatchback engineered to European driving dynamics, achieving over 9 million global sale…
2009Suzuki
Volkswagen Alliance
Volkswagen bought a 19.9 percent stake in Suzuki in December 2009. The alliance broke down and ended in 2015.
2012Peugeot
Invention of the Peugeot i-Cockpit: Debuts the influential i-Cockpit interior architecture on the 208, featuring a compact sports steering wheel, elevated head-up instrumentation, and piano toggle key…
2014Peugeot
Dongfeng and French State Take Stakes
Dongfeng Motor and the French state each took a 14 percent stake in PSA in 2014 in a rescue recapitalisation.
2015Suzuki
Victory in London International Arbitration Against Volkswagen: International Court of Arbitration orders Volkswagen to divest its 19.9% stake in Suzuki, vindicating Osamu Suzuki's defense of manageme…
2017Peugeot
Peugeot 3008 Wins European Car of the Year: The second-generation 3008 SUV wins European Car of the Year 2017, igniting an upscale design renaissance across all Peugeot model lines.
2019Suzuki
Capital Alliance Established with Toyota Motor Corporation: Toyota acquires a 4.94% equity stake in Suzuki, while Suzuki invests approximately $450 million in Toyota shares, cementing collaboration on…
2021Peugeot
Merger into Stellantis N.V.: PSA Group merges with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) to create Stellantis N.V., establishing Peugeot as a central core brand in a global 14-brand conglomerate.
2021Peugeot
Linda Jackson becomes CEO
Linda Jackson became CEO of Peugeot in 2021. The Peugeot 208 was Europe's best-selling car in 2022 during her tenure.
2021Suzuki
Retirement of Osamu Suzuki at Age 91: Osamu Suzuki retires as Chairman after 43 years leading the corporation, transferring full stewardship to President Toshihiro Suzuki.
2025Peugeot
Alain Favey becomes CEO
Alain Favey became CEO of Peugeot in 2025. Former Europcar Mobility Group CEO; succeeded Linda Jackson on February 3, 2025.
2025Suzuki
Global Rollout of Suzuki eVX Electric SUV: Launches its first dedicated global battery electric SUV (eVX) manufactured in Gujarat, India, featuring 60 kWh battery capacity and 500 km electric range.
Acquisitions
Peugeot
- Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (50:50 merger)2021Undisclosed
- Opel and Vauxhall Motors2017$2.3B
- Citroën (Formation of PSA Group)1976Undisclosed
Suzuki
- Suzuki Motor Gujarat Pvt Ltd (Full Consolidation)2023$1.5B
- GMDAT2004Undisclosed
- Maruti Suzuki India Limited (Controlling Majority Equity Expansion)2002$242M
Questions about Peugeot vs Suzuki
Who is the CEO of Peugeot and Suzuki Motor Corporation?
Peugeot is led by Alain Favey and Suzuki Motor Corporation is led by Toshihiro Suzuki. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Peugeot founded vs Suzuki Motor Corporation?
Peugeot was founded in 1810 — 99 years before Suzuki Motor Corporation, which was founded in 1909. Peugeot's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Suzuki Motor Corporation.
How many employees does Peugeot have compared to Suzuki Motor Corporation?
Suzuki Motor Corporation employs approximately 70,000 people. A verified employee count for Peugeot is not currently available.
Where are Peugeot and Suzuki Motor Corporation headquartered?
Peugeot is headquartered in France and Suzuki Motor Corporation is headquartered in Japan. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Peugeot and Suzuki Motor Corporation?
Peugeot was founded by Armand Peugeot. Suzuki Motor Corporation was founded by Michio Suzuki.
Which company has a longer operating history — Peugeot or Suzuki Motor Corporation?
Peugeot has been operating for approximately 216 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Suzuki Motor Corporation has been in operation for around 117 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Peugeot vs Suzuki overview