The first €1.2 billion installment of that aid was cleared by European Union authorities on Monday. The EU gave Peugeot management six months to come up with a restructuring plan for its car business as a condition for receiving the government lifeline. In Europe, Peugeot Citroen's car sales slump was almost twice the overall market decline, or 16 percent versus 8.6 percent for the overall market. The company sold 2.8 million fully assembled cars and light trucks last year, down from 3.1 million in 2011. In July the company announced a plan to slash 8,000 jobs in France and close a major factory north of Paris, shocking workers and startling the government. Peugeot's roots run deep in the French culture. It produced its first car in 1891. Peugeot-Citroen now accounts for two-thirds of French car production.