Throwback 1975 : Yakubu Gowon Opens Peugeot Assembly Plant, Test-drove Peugeot 404 Pan 1

Throwback : 40 year old General Yakubu Gowon opens Peugeot Assembly plant, test-drove Peugeot 404 Pan 1.

404 PAN 1 was the first vehicle assembled at the Kaduna-based plant, which commenced production on March 2 1975.

Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN) was a joint venture between the FG and Automobile Peugeot France (AP France).

Styled by Pininfarina, the Peugeot 404 was offered as a Saloon, Estate, Pickup, Convertible and a Coupé between 1960 and 1990s. 

Popular as a taxicab, 404 was assembled under licence in various African countries including Nigeria and Kenya, until the 1990s.

The Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN) Limited, a joint venture between the Federal Government and Automobile Peugeot France (AP France), was formally commissioned by General Yakubu Gowon on March 11 1975.

Footage shared shows the then 40-year old Nigerian leader behind the wheels of the first-ever vehicle assembled at the Kaduna-based plant, a Peugeot 404 fitted with PAN 1 number plate, ready to take the sedan for a spin.

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PAN had earlier commenced production of Nigerian-assembled Peugeot vehicles on March 2 1975, which boasts an annual output of 60,000 cars. It improved its substantially to 90,000 cars per annum in the 1980s.

The Peugeot 404

Styled by Pininfarina, the Peugeot 404, offered as a Saloon (Sedan), Estate (Station Wagon), Pickup, Convertible and a Coupé, was produced by French automobile manufacturer Peugeot from 1960 to 1975.

Popular as a taxicab, the 404, which enjoyed a reputation for durability and value, was manufactured under licence in various African countries including Nigeria and Kenya, until the 1990s.

While Peugeot’s French production run of over 1.8 million (1,847,568) 404s ended in 1975, a total of 2,885,374 units had been produced worldwide at the end of production.

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