The Peugeot 304, one of Peugeot’s most beloved models, is often praised for its elegance, luxury, and versatility. Between 1969 and 1980, Peugeot produced nearly 1.2 million units of the 304, many of which served in its home country of France. Although it was especially popular in France, this car also made its market debut in the United States, with some notable differences compared to its European counterpart.
Before delving into the American variant, let’s first take a look at the European version of the Peugeot 304. Introduced in 1969 as the successor to the popular 204, the 304 was a compact family car that quickly gained recognition for its excellent driving performance and comfortable interior. With its streamlined design and reliable engine, the 304 soon became a symbol of affordable luxury on European roads.
304 Goes USA
In an effort to conquer the American market, Peugeot modified the 304 to meet the strict federal standards for vehicles sold in the United States. These modifications included changes to lighting, bumper height, and safety features to comply with the more rigorous American regulations.
One noticeable difference between the American version and its European counterpart was the introduction of larger bumpers, designed to meet U.S. safety standards. While functional, these bumper designs altered the car’s aesthetics slightly, disrupting the elegant lines of the European 304.
Additionally, adjustments were made to the lighting to comply with U.S. regulations. This included the addition of side marker lights and changes to the headlight configuration to meet specific American requirements.
Despite these modifications, the Peugeot 304 failed to achieve the same level of success in the American market as it did in Europe. Sales remained modest, and the American version of the 304 was only produced between June 1970 and July 1972.
The 304 was introduced in the latter half of 1970 as a 1971 model-year car, with the station wagon arriving in the 1971 calendar year. A total of 1,407 304s were sold in 1970, 2,153 in 1971, and a final 709 units were delivered in 1972. In total, 4,269 units of the 304 were sold in the United States.
