Peugeot vs Toyota: Founders, CEOs and History
Peugeot was founded in 1810 by Armand Peugeot and is led by Alain Favey. Toyota was founded in 1937 by Kiichiro Toyoda, Sakichi Toyoda and is led by Kenta Kon.
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.
Toyota
Kiichiro Toyoda
Kiichiro Toyoda (1894-1952) founded the Toyota Motor Corporation in 1937, spinning it out of his father's successful textile machinery business.
Sakichi Toyoda
Sakichi Toyoda was not the founder of Toyota Motor Corporation but his inventions and philosophy created the foundation on which it was built. His loom patents generated the capital Kiichiro needed to experiment with automobiles.
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
Toyota
- Katsuaki Watanabe2005–2009
President
Toyota became the largest carmaker in the world by sales in 2008, then reported its first operating loss in decades. Akio Toyoda succeeded him in June 2009.
Source - Akio Toyoda2009–2023
President and Chief Executive Officer (now Chairman)
Akio Toyoda took leadership during one of Toyota's hardest modern periods, including the global financial crisis and the unintended acceleration recall crisis.
Source - Koji Sato2023–2026
President and Chief Executive Officer (now Vice Chairman)
Koji Sato inherited a profitable but scrutinized Toyota.
Source - Kenta Kon2026–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
As CFO, he managed the immense capital allocation required for Toyota's massive $35 billion commitment to fully electrify its vehicle lineup by 2030.
Source
Timeline: Peugeot and Toyota 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…
1937Toyota
Toyota Motor Corporation incorporated
Toyota Motor Corporation was incorporated after Kiichiro Toyoda expanded the Toyoda family business from automatic looms into automobile manufacturing.
1955Toyota
Toyopet Crown launched
The Toyopet Crown gave Toyota a postwar passenger-car platform and later became its first passenger car exported to the United States.
1966Toyota
Corolla launched
Toyota launched the Corolla, a compact car that became central to its mass-market export strategy.
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.
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.
1989Toyota
Lexus launches
Toyota launched Lexus with the LS 400, moving into premium vehicles with a quality-led strategy.
1997Toyota
Prius launches in Japan
Toyota launched the Prius, turning hybrid technology into a mass-produced passenger vehicle.
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.
2008Toyota
Largest Carmaker by Sales
Toyota passed General Motors in 2008 to become the largest carmaker in the world by sales.
2009Toyota
Unintended Acceleration Recalls
Toyota recalled millions of vehicles from late 2009 over floor mats and accelerator pedals linked to unintended acceleration.
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.
2016Toyota
Acquired Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.
Toyota Motor acquired Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd..
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.
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.
2021Toyota
Acquired Lyft Level 5
Toyota Motor acquired Lyft Level 5 for $550 million.
2021Toyota
Acquired CARMERA
Toyota Motor acquired CARMERA.
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.
2026Toyota
Kenta Kon becomes president and CEO
Kenta Kon became president and CEO on April 1, 2026, while Koji Sato moved to vice chairman and chief industry officer.
2026Toyota
FY2026 sales revenues reach ~$340B (JPY 50.685T)
Toyota reported FY2026 sales revenues of ~$340 billion (JPY 50,684.952 billion) and net income attributable to Toyota Motor Corporation of ~$25.8 billion (JPY 3,848.098 billion).
Acquisitions
Peugeot
- Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (50:50 merger)2021Undisclosed
- Opel and Vauxhall Motors2017$2.3B
- Citroën (Formation of PSA Group)1976Undisclosed
Toyota
- Lyft Level 52021$550M
- CARMERA2021Undisclosed
- Renovo Motors2021Undisclosed
- Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.2016Undisclosed
- Toyota Auto Body2012Undisclosed
Questions about Peugeot vs Toyota
Who is the CEO of Peugeot and Toyota Motor Corporation?
Peugeot is led by Alain Favey and Toyota Motor Corporation is led by Kenta Kon. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Peugeot founded vs Toyota Motor Corporation?
Peugeot was founded in 1810 — 127 years before Toyota Motor Corporation, which was founded in 1937. Peugeot's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Toyota Motor Corporation.
How many employees does Peugeot have compared to Toyota Motor Corporation?
Toyota Motor Corporation employs approximately 375,235 people. A verified employee count for Peugeot is not currently available.
Where are Peugeot and Toyota Motor Corporation headquartered?
Peugeot is headquartered in France and Toyota 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 Toyota Motor Corporation?
Peugeot was founded by Armand Peugeot. Toyota Motor Corporation was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda, Sakichi Toyoda.
Which company has a longer operating history — Peugeot or Toyota Motor Corporation?
Peugeot has been operating for approximately 216 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Toyota Motor Corporation has been in operation for around 89 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 Toyota overview