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.

The World War One years, between 1914 and 1918, also saw the company branch out into war production as the company turned its attention to manufacturing ammunition, aeroplanes, lorries and the renowned F-17 tank for the French and allied military. Those efforts saw Louis honoured by the allied nations following their victorious end to the war.

The First World War certainly did not have a detrimental effect on the fortunes of Renault as it emerged as France’s biggest private sector company. They also entered the export market, sending its engines, the Renault 26 hp and 40 hp four-cylinder engine, to the United States.

The re-emergence of peace saw the business diversify further, entering the agricultural and industrial sector by producing machinery. However, on the car production side the company were losing out in its ability to produce cars that were more affordable to the general public though sales at the higher end were growing. Nevertheless they continued to expand their range of cars and 1928 production exceeded 45,000 and included a range of seven different models. And, though exports to the United States had all but dried up, the company was enjoying success in the United Kingdom market.

In the decade prior to the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, Renault produced a range of luxury cars, including the Vivastellas and Grand Renaults. The later were made mainly of aluminium, many of which were scrapped to aid the war effort at the outbreak of hostilities.

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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.

In an attempt to develop a presence in the United States and Canada, the company collaborated with American manufacturers such as AMC. But by the 1970s it was disappearing as a name in its own right in the American market. Despite this the company also developed markets and production in Eastern Europe, South America and Australia.

Heavy losses by the 1980s, when Renault were losing FFR12 billion per year, led to a restructuring of the company. Georges Besse was placed in control of the business and quickly initiated drastic cost cutting measures including slashing the workforce and reducing the companys involvement in motor sport. Besse was assassinated by the Action Directe terror group in 1986 and Raymond Levy was named as Renaults new head. Levy pursued similar measures to his predecessor and by the 1990s the company was healthy enough to launch a new range of cars of which the Clio enjoyed the greatest success.

In 1996 Renault was re-privatised, allowing it to further develop markets abroad. Three years later the company signed a deal with Japanese car maker Nissan which became known as the Renault-Nissan Alliance though both companies retained their separate corporate identities. Further developments saw Renault take a stake in the Russian car maker VAZ in 2008.

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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.

In an attempt to develop a presence in the United States and Canada, the company collaborated with American manufacturers such as AMC. But by the 1970s it was disappearing as a name in its own right in the American market. Despite this the company also developed markets and production in Eastern Europe, South America and Australia.

Heavy losses by the 1980s, when Renault were losing FFR12 billion per year, led to a restructuring of the company. Georges Besse was placed in control of the business and quickly initiated drastic cost cutting measures including slashing the workforce and reducing the companys involvement in motor sport. Besse was assassinated by the Action Directe terror group in 1986 and Raymond Levy was named as Renaults new head. Levy pursued similar measures to his predecessor and by the 1990s the company was healthy enough to launch a new range of cars of which the Clio enjoyed the greatest success.

In 1996 Renault was re-privatised, allowing it to further develop markets abroad. Three years later the company signed a deal with Japanese car maker Nissan which became known as the Renault-Nissan Alliance though both companies retained their separate corporate identities. Further developments saw Renault take a stake in the Russian car maker VAZ in 2008.

Car Lease Contracts offer the best car leasing UK deals on the Internet. They offer a wide range of cars from all the major manufacturers such as Citroen, BMW, Mercedes, Seat, Ford, VW and of course Renault. Visit Car Lease Contracts for all your personal or business car contract hire requirements.