Peugeot vs Volkswagen: Founders, CEOs and History
Peugeot was founded in 1810 by Armand Peugeot and is led by Alain Favey. Volkswagen was founded in 1937 by Ferdinand Porsche and is led by Oliver Blume.
Company facts
Peugeot
- Founded
- 1810
- Headquarters
- Poissy, France
- Current CEO
- Alain Favey
Volkswagen
- Founded
- 1937
- Headquarters
- Wolfsburg, Germany
- Current CEO
- Oliver Blume
- Employees
- 663,000
Founders
Peugeot
Armand Peugeot
Armand Peugeot (1849-1915) was the member of the Peugeot industrial family who took the business into motor vehicles.
Volkswagen
Ferdinand Porsche
Ferdinand Porsche (1875-1951) was an Austrian-born automotive engineer who had worked for Lohner, Austro-Daimler and Daimler-Benz before opening his own design office in Stuttgart in 1931.
CEOs and their tenures
Peugeot
- 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
Volkswagen
- Hermann Münch1946–1947
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft from 1946 to 1947.
Source - Heinrich Nordhoff1948–1968
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft from 1948 to 1968.
Source - Kurt Lotz1968–1971
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft from 1968 to 1971.
Source - Rudolf Leiding1971–1975
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft from 1971 to 1975.
Source - Toni Schmücker1975–1982
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft from 1975 to 1982.
Source - Carl Hahn1982–1993
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft from 1982 to 1993.
Source - Ferdinand Piëch1993–2002
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft from 1993 to 2002.
Source - Bernd Pischetsrieder2002–2006
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft from 2002 to 2006.
Source - Martin Winterkorn2007–2015
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft from 2007 to 2015.
Source - Matthias Müller2015–2018
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft from 2015 to 2018.
Source - Herbert Diess2018–2022
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft from 2018 to 2022.
Source - Oliver Blume2022–present
Chairman of the Board of Management
He also ran Porsche AG alongside the group role until Michael Leiters took over as Porsche CEO on January 1, 2026, leaving Blume focused on Volkswagen Group.
Source
Timeline: Peugeot and Volkswagen 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…
1937Volkswagen
Volkswagen founded
Volkswagen was founded under the German Labour Front as part of a state-directed people's car program.
1945Volkswagen
Wolfsburg restarted
British military administration helped restart peacetime production at Wolfsburg after World War II.
1965Volkswagen
Audi foundation added
Volkswagen acquired Auto Union from Daimler-Benz, creating the foundation for modern Audi.
1974Volkswagen
Golf production begins
The Golf gave Volkswagen a modern front-engine, front-wheel-drive compact platform after the Beetle era.
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.
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.
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.
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…
2012Volkswagen
Porsche consolidated
Porsche became a controlled sport-luxury profit anchor within Volkswagen Group.
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.
2024Volkswagen
Rivian software joint venture
Volkswagen and Rivian launched a software joint venture targeting next-generation electrical architecture.
2025Volkswagen
Revenue reaches ~$364B (EUR321.9B)
Volkswagen reported ~$364 billion (EUR321.9 billion) in sales revenue, ~$10.1 billion (EUR8.9 billion) in operating result, and 8.984 million deliveries.
Acquisitions
Peugeot
- Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (50:50 merger)2021Undisclosed
- Opel and Vauxhall Motors2017$2.3B
- Citroën (Formation of PSA Group)1976Undisclosed
Volkswagen
- Porsche AG2012Undisclosed
- Bentley Motors1998Undisclosed
- Auto Union / Audi1965Undisclosed
Questions about Peugeot vs Volkswagen
Who is the CEO of Peugeot and Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft?
Peugeot is led by Alain Favey and Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft is led by Oliver Blume. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Peugeot founded vs Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft?
Peugeot was founded in 1810 — 127 years before Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, 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 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft.
How many employees does Peugeot have compared to Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft?
Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft employs approximately 663,000 people. A verified employee count for Peugeot is not currently available.
Where are Peugeot and Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft headquartered?
Peugeot is headquartered in France and Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft is headquartered in Germany. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Peugeot and Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft?
Peugeot was founded by Armand Peugeot. Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft was founded by Ferdinand Porsche.
Which company has a longer operating history — Peugeot or Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft?
Peugeot has been operating for approximately 216 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft 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 Volkswagen overview