The relatively new, but rapidly growing Australian importer/distributor Eurocycles has just become the new Australian distributor for Peugeot.
Cycles Peugeot stems from a French company that was founded by Jean Peugeot in 1830. They started making bicycles in 1882 and later, automobiles.
For many years, Peugeot sponsored teams in the Tour de France, last holding the yellow jersey with Pascal Simon in 1983 when he famously continued to race for several days with a fractured shoulder blade.
A press release dated 20th May from the Peugeot bicycle brand’s owner, Cycleurope, said
“Eurocycles and Cycleurope Industries SAS are delighted to announce a strategic partnership for the distribution of the Peugeot range of bicycles for Australia.
“Cycleurope Industries SAS is among the leading European bicycle manufacturers, located in Romilly-sur-Seine, in the Champagne Region of France. Most importantly, it has been the worldwide and exclusive licensee of the Peugeot Cycles brand since 2010, and it is responsible for the product development, assembly and worldwide distribution.
“As well as producing a quality range of Electric Bikes for the IBD market, Cycleurope has for over ten years supplied many organisations such as La Poste (French Post Office) with a fleet of Ebikes for commercial use. This is a great endorsement for the quality of Ebikes that are currently being produced.
“Eurocycles’s distribution policy will be strictly to supply independent bicycle dealers and lifestyle stores that will promote Peugeot mobilty solutions to the Australian public.”
Meanwhile Eurocycles’ founder and Director, Rick Krassoi said, “Our focus will be on Peugeot pedelec ebikes using the Bosch ebike system, which is the technology with which we now have had considerable experience with and regard as the most efficient, robust and well-supported system available.
“The establishment of a Bosch service agency here in Australia later in 2015 will ensure the best experience for the end customers, who will have the best support service available for any ebike technology. In 2015 our range will be dominated by the eT01 model which we view as an ideal commuter-style hybrid bicycle for Australia. Excitingly, several new models will be exhibited in France in July at the Cycleurope SAS dealer camp, including two new hard-tail eMTB’s and a full suspension e-MTB to be available in Australia in early 2016”.
In recent years, Peugeot has been distributed in Australia by SOLA sports, who have focused on their ebike range, but Peugeot has had a very long history as a bicycle brand in Australia.
It was particularly strong as a high end road racing and touring bike brand, dating back 40 years or more, to an era when there were relatively few global brands available here.
As Rick reminisced, “My first real bicycle as a young teenager was a Peugeot PX10 racer, from Jack Walsh Cycles way back when. Many of my 40+ age group have fond memories of Peugeot cycles, which is largely the demographic for the new hybrid technology. Our primary aim will be the return of Peugeot to independent bicycle stores, with this new hybrid technology that many of these stores are taking note of and cautiously adopting. Peugeot cycles has a proud history in Australia, and the introduction of the new hybrid mobility solutions will see Peugeot continue as an important cycling marque in Australia.
“First container-loads of bicycles will arrive in the spring. Samples of hybrid as well as non-motorised bicycles will arrive by the end of this month, and will be made available to any bicycle store who would like to trial the new range,” Rick concluded.
