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 Known as the R5, it stood the test of time for over a decade before being superseded by the Super5.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.

having assumed control Gianni set about restructuring Fiat’s management, making it much less centralised. Car and lorry and tractor production were effectively made independent of one another. The more flexible regime allowed Fiat to plan its expansion and in 1967 it took over fellow Italian concern Autobianchi. The takeover allowed the company to overtake German competitor Volkswagen in sales and by 1968 revenue exceeded $2 billion.

The following year Fiat expanded further, taking a controlling interest in Italian rivals Ferrari and Lancia and was being seen quite capable of taking the lead over the American powerhouse of Detroit in the race for car production dominance.

Fiat also continued diversifying its operations becoming owners of the Italian airline Alitalia, major toll roads, as well as office supply and electrical equipment companies. They also had assets in the Soviet Union, constructing the AvtoVAZ plant where the Lada, based on the Fiat 124, was manufactured. Elsewhere in Eastern Europe, the company had stakes in Romania, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria.

Importantly Fiat, with its fuel efficient cars, was able to take advantage of the 1979 oil crisis, when fuel prices rocketed, by winning record sales in the United States. However, as oil prices stabilised and subsequently fell, they lost their share of the American market and by 1984 had pulled out of the country.

Back in Europe however the Italian giants continued swallowing up its rivals. Alfa Romeo were taken over in 1986, and in 1993 Maserati. The acquisition of Maserati allowed the Fiat name to re-enter the United States market in 2002 and sales since then across the Atlantic have been healthy.

The late 1990s saw a market shift and the companys tumbling share value led to them appointing General Electric chief Paolo Fresco as chairman in 1998. However, Fresco’s initiatives faced opposition from the firm’s trade unions. Despite the opposition, Fresco pressed on and in 2000 he initiated a joint venture with the American company General Motors, which saw GM gain a stake in Fiat Auto – the company’s car division. However, within five years the partnership was ended.

More recently a takeover of General Motors European division, GM Europe, has been mooted. However, a major part of GM Europe, Opel/Vauxhall, was subsequently taken over by Magna International.

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 Fiat. Visit Car Lease Contracts for all your personal or business car contract hire requirements.