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Renault, the world famous maker of cars, tractors, buses, vans and lorries, was founded in France in 1899 by Louis Renault along with his brothers Fernand and Marcel. The company was initially called Societe Renault Freres, though what was to be the first Renault vehicle was actually produced a year before the formal formation of the new company. The new car was called the Renault Voiturette 1CV and was given its first test drive on Christmas Eve, 1898.

In a bid to court publicity for the new company, the decision was taken to enter motor racing events. Renault enjoyed success in the new sport, but it led to the death of Marcel Renault. Despite the tragedy, the company continued to engage in motor racing. They were part of history when Ferenc Szisz won the first Grand Prix, held in 1906, in a Renault AK 90 CV. That same year Louis Renault took sole charge of the company as failing health forced the other surviving brother Fernand to retire.

Renault had also been making their mark in the fledgling car market. In their first year of operation they launched their first sedan car. However, at FFR3,000 for Renault’s smallest and cheapest car they were very much luxury items. The company also quickly diversified production, rolling out lorries, taxis and buses. Continue reading ‘A History of Renault – The Pre-War Years’ »

Following the end of the Second World War the famous vehicle manufacturer Renault was taken over by the French government and became the Regie Nationale des Usines Renault. The nationalisation came after the founder of the company, Louis Renault, was charged with collaboration with the German occupation forces. Louis was to die in jail prior to his trial.

The new publicly owned company was headed by Pierre Lafaucheux and immediately made an impact in the peace time motoring market. The 4CV model proved popular, fighting off the challenge of foreign rivals such as the VW Beetle and Morris Minor, staying in production until 1961.

The 4CV’s successor, the Dauphine, was also a resounding success in the home market. However, sales abroad failed to meet expectations especially across the Atlantic, and during the early 1960′s both the Renault 4 and Renault 8 were rolled out. These models all had rear engines, but following the launch of the Renault 10, the company switched attentions to front engined upmarket models. In 1966 the world’s first hatchback, the Renault 16 was introduced, followed by the smaller Renault 6.

With fuel saving measures being pursued due to the oil crisis of the early 1970s, the Renault 5, both smaller and more economical, was launched. Known as the R5, it stood the test of time for over a decade before being superseded by the Super5. Continue reading ‘A History of Renault – The Post War Years’ »

Following the end of the Second World War the famous vehicle manufacturer Renault was taken over by the French government and became the Regie Nationale des Usines Renault. The nationalisation came after the founder of the company, Louis Renault, was charged with collaboration with the German occupation forces. Louis was to die in jail prior to his trial.

The new publicly owned company was headed by Pierre Lafaucheux and immediately made an impact in the peace time motoring market. The 4CV model proved popular, fighting off the challenge of foreign rivals such as the VW Beetle and Morris Minor, staying in production until 1961. Continue reading ‘A History of Renault – The Post War Years’ »