In 1969, there were nearly a dozen available models made by France’s top car manufacturers. They all left the US decades ago due to falling sales and a general inability to adapt to the intricacies of the American market. None have dared to go back since but the reinvigorated French giant PSA Group plans to re-introduce its Peugeot brand in America by 2026 and perhaps even sooner. The mistakes it needs to avoid making are clearly recorded in history books.

As Peugeot puts together its comeback strategy, we’re taking a look at a picture history of French cars in the US: