Peugeot bikes are back

by Bjorn Haake at 4:55 AM EST

The famous Peugeot bicycles are back in Europe, after having been pulled from the market in 2002. The re-introduction happens with a partnership between Peugeot and Cycleurope.

Toni Grimaldi, President and CEO of Cycleurope, made the announcement last week. "We are very pleased with this worldwide license as the deal is very important for our company's long term strength. We have been working on this for many years after we had to withdraw Peugeot from the market in 2002," Grimaldi said according to bike-eu.com.

"Peugeot bicycles will be designed and manufactured in Cycleurope's Romilly sur Seine, France facility, although I do not rule out that production will also take place in our Varberg factory in Sweden," said Grimaldi.

The first items back in the market will be a memory to the past, with a road racer, mountainbike, hybrid/trekking and a city bike 'collectors' item. The bikes will be painted in the same black and white style that brought them to public's attention during Peugeot's Tour de France days.

Peugeot will launch a more complete range of bicycles at the 2010 fall Eurobike show, including a series of e-Bikes - presumably those will not be allowed in bike races.

A large network of dealers in Europe, South America and in Asia - particularly Japan - will handle the distribution of the Peugeot bicycles. In France, distribution is mostly through Vélo and Oxygen outlets, but also through Peugeot car dealers.

Peugeot was founded in the 18th century. Cycles Peugeot was added in 1882 and sponsoring athletes has long been a tradition for the French company. The 1905 Tour de France winner Louis Trousselier was sponsored by Peugeot. Peugeot has won a total of ten Tours de Frances as a trade team. Along with Mercier, they were among the last breed of cycling companies to sponsor a team. Peugeot finally quit the peloton in 1986.