The history of Renault

The adventure began on December 24, 1898, when Louis Renault drove up the steep rue Lepic on Montmartre in Paris with his Voiturette, equipped with a revolutionary direct-drive transmission. That same evening he took 12 firm orders for the vehicle.

Well……Louis Renault was founder of Renault. In 1877 he was born in Billancourt, Paris, and he created his first motorcar at the age of 21 in a small garage near his parents’ house. On Christmas eve Louis made his first demonstration tour and immediately after that he quoted 12 orders; production could start. Together with two of his brothers he founded Renault-Frères. In the first half of 1899 already 80 cars were built. The best way to promote your cars is to join in races and try to win, which was the case from 1899 to 1903. Demand increased, unfortunately fate too: in 1903 Marcel Renault crashed and was killed during a race.

Production increased; more types and versions with different engines appeared. Renault also introduced themselves on various exhibitions. Beside private cars they started to produce taxis. In 1906 started the production of lorries, buses and 4x4 vehicles. During WW I The French army bought many Renault vehicles.

During WW I and WW II, Renault produced tanks, which later on served as the base of tractors. The first tractors date back to 1919 and after 1930 Renault produced diesel engines too. Renault broke speed records regularly, and made more and more luxury cars, until the factory for the greatest part was destroyed in WW II. At that time they also supplied airplane engines to Caudron. It was in this war that Louis Renault was arrested by the French government, accused of collaboration with the Germans, and he died in prison under mysterious conditions. 

After the war the French government got the leadership of the factory, which henceforth got the name Regie Nationale des Usines Renault. However, Louis Renault had, before he died in 1942, already done the preliminary work for the creation of the 4CV. The 4CV was designed and tested secretly, and it was with this car that a new period for Renault began. Every Renault had a name or a number as indication of its type. Again they competed within rallies and races, such as, for example, the Monte Carlo races.

Other brands and designers joined Renault in the course of time. Brands like Berliet, Latil and Mack belong to the history of Renault, but also the names Gordini an Alpine regularly appear.

In 1977 began the Formula I adventure. Renault joined every race until 1986, and got a second place in the constructors championship of 1983. During this period Renault supplied Lotus and Tyrell with V6 turbo engines. From 1992 to 1997 the Renault engine was successful for Williams and Benetton; 6 times as a world champion. Since 2001 Renault tries to gain the championship for constructors in Formula 1. About 1981 the colour of the tractors changed; from red to the present-day orange-ochre. However, through the fact that Claas since 2003 owns 80% of the Renault-Agriculture shares and a 100% in 2008, in many countries the Renault tractors will be sold as Claas. Only the type indication has survived.

Renault also has a majority interest in Nissan Motors They supply delivery vans to General Motors; Midlum truck cabines to DAF. Renault is using John Deere engines for their tractors and Mack engines are used for the Magnum trucks. Volvo has a majority interest in Renault trucks, and Renault trucks, in turn, has a great part of the Finnish Sisu shares. All in all it is quite a story, about a brand with one goal: create a suitable vehicle for everyone. It is the great diversity of products that fascinates me.

LOUIS RENAULT laid very early the foundation for a very successful company. In April 1897, the self-taught constructed a steam generator, which he left for a patent for. With the company Delaunay-Belleville LOUIS RENAULT found a licensee. And a job as a draftsman.

However, his greatest invention was the "driving without chains" in 1898. This invention was to bring enough revenue to provide the young company "RENAULT Frères" on healthy feet. On February 9, 1899, three days before his 22nd birthday RENAULT let patented the principle! Two weeks later, on 25 February 1899 RENAULT carmaker. LOUIS RENAULT founded together with his brothers and MARCEL FERNAND the "Société Renault Frères" with headquarters in the Rue du Pont du Jour in Billancourt! The young company grew rapidly, towards the end of 1900 employed RENAULT already more than 100 workers! Responsible for this success was undoubtedly the type A! But it was then in quick succession: 1900 Type B, the displacement of the type B is presented, grew cc 450th In the same year, in November, the type C was announced. The first RENAULT-Cart with water cooling. Also brought several successes in the racing more than 350 orders in the same year, 1900. In 1901 came the Type D, still cc with 450, but the first time with a real steering wheel. Shortly afterwards, also in 1901, was the type E whose engine volume grew cc 1230th 1902 appeared the type G, which came up for the first time with four full seats! This model diversity in such a short time gave the young car manufacturer considerable success. But in 1905 appeared Type AG should be remembered as the first model of the brothers RENAULT really into history. 1200 Paris taxis, mainly models of type AG, brought 6500 soldiers to the front of the Marne! Name of RENAULT This was important war action henceforth in the same breath with the success and the fame and the glory of the "Grande Nation" called!

LOUIS RENAULT was throughout his life a man who wanted to know everything organized. He loved order, chaos was an abomination to him. This tendency was also reflected very early in the organization of his work resists. 1908 Procedures in Billancourt were introduced according to the principle of Taylorism. But it was also about the increase in production efficiency. RENAULT paid first wages by the number of hours actually worked. In April 1911 LOUIS RENAULT toured the USA where he. With Henry Ford, the inventor of the assembly line production in the automotive industry, coincided LOUIS RENAULT was so impressed that he wrote to Henry Ford: "The visit to your plant has deeply impressed me. I am thrilled with the prevailing organization "! 1919, right after the "great war", RENAULT resulted in his work a the Fliess-strip production on the model of Ford. The first vehicle, which was created outside the United States on a conveyor belt, came from RENAULT. It was in many ways the Ford Model T similar RENAULT 10CV. 1928 traveled RENAULT again the United States, mainly to restore Henry Ford to pay a visit in Detroit. After this visit RENAULT was the already expected starting signal for the construction of a new plant on the Seine island Seguin. Along with the main factory in Billancourt is RENAULT developed so that the most-performance automotive producers in Europe. And at the heart of the new plant was the 1500 meters long assembly line, the longest outside the United States! Moreover RENAULT offered a full range of models! Between 1900 and 1920 RENAULT had vehicles offered for every budget and every layer. Starting with the small models, Type B, C, D, and AG, about the 20CV 1904 and the 18CV 1910 until 10CV and the 40CV gigantic 1919! In addition, the 20CV marked in 1904 a striking developmental leaps in the history of RENAULT:

He was the first RENAULT with self developed and built engine. And henceforth bear all RENAULT models the same "face". The characteristic bonnet should henceforth all RENAULT vehicles adorn, for over 30 years!

The first twenty years of the 20th century were characterized by the expansion in home RENAULT! 1900, the company RENAULT Frères already 110 employees. In 1913 were 3,000 people who were at RENAULT wages and bread! In the same year the RENAULT vehicle number 10,000 was manufactured in Billancourt! RENAULT took the plunge from the Gallic country and in 1905 founded a factory in Acton in Britain. This is followed by import offices in New York (1906) and in Berlin (1907). The now presented type AG became the taxi number 1 worldwide. In many cities around the world RENAULT taxis dominated the streets-image. In London were 50% of all taxes Automobiles RENAULT, in Paris there were still many more! Even in Tokyo, a sales branch in 1910 was founded. 1912 could RENAULT proud to say that even the Russian Czars RENAULT vehicles called his own.

But not only in the field of passenger cars LOUIS RENAULT was a pioneer. Early on he realized the potential behind the invention of the "horseless carriage". One could by means of an automobile not only one or two people from A to B transport, but also the expense. As early as 1903 brought RENAULT a truck on the market. And in 1907 followed by the first bus of the brand RENAULT. What is almost no longer known today: RENAULT even built tanks and heavy motor unit for the military. And the manufacture of aircraft engines completed the repertoire of RENAULT! Also in 1907 RENAULT began to enter into aviation, and quite successfully! 1909 broke the record for the Maurice Farman country flight Buc - Chartres. He needed his biplane with RENAULT engine only one hour and three minutes! In 1912 a FARMAN-RENAULT Biplane even back a distance of 11.017km in 13 hours and 22 minutes. Also a record! In the same year RENAULT exported its aircraft engines, among other things also the German Reich!

But the commitment outside the French market was not always happy. In 1907, LOUIS RENAULT four French merchants in Germany the "RENAULT-Frères Automobile stock company". On 17 October the same year the company was entered in the commercial register under number 92HRB4740. The share capital amounted to 400,000 Reichsmarks. In the Mohr 22/23 in Berlin, the company was established in the George Street 10 a workshop was one-directed. Quick branches were established, for instance in Frankfurt / Main, Aachen, Bonn, Cologne, Leipzig, Halle, Hamburg, Osnabrück and also in Strasbourg, Mulhouse and Metz, which at that time belonged to the German Reich. But in 1914, with the outbreak of World War I was the "German RENAULT Automobil AG" put under forced administration! Until 1927, twenty years after the first branch in Germany, RENAULT should dare to try again. On 23 November 1927, the "German RENAULT Automobile GmbH" was founded in Frankfurt / Main. She found her seat in the Weismüller-street 20-26.

There were literally the roaring twenties for RENAULT! After the early death of his brothers MARCEL (+1903) and FERNAND (+1909) was LOUIS RENAULT placed alone in coming. But he also mastered these blows to his own style. His company grew steadily. From 1920 RENAULT bought the island in the Seine Séguin on bit by bit, 1928/1929 was there another work. LOUIS RENAULT was stubborn, inflexible and had to have his will. But he had intuition, foresight and always knew what to do. Whether in technical terms, or in commercial activities. With the start of World War II, however, everything was different! LOUIS RENAULT tried to save his life's work. To understand in the end that he had lost it yet. As LOUIS RENAULT, died on 24 October 1944, shortly after his release-dismissal on his estate in Herqueville, his works had produced around 900,000 vehicles in almost 50 years.

Thus, although life went from LOUIS RENAULT end.

But the history of the company RENAULT should continue. And this should be the company to do very successfully. Today RENAULT NISSAN's fourth largest automobile manufacturer in the world.

But this is the second chapter of the story RENAULT!

Directly after the war RENAULT started production of two new models. The "Volkswagen" 10CV and 40CV cracking who held even moving into the Elysée Palace. These two types were the basis for the upswing. This was followed by models like the legendary "Reinastella" in 1928, which inherited the 40CV. In 1932, the successful 10CV of "Vivaquatre". 1934 published the successful models "Nervasport" and "Viva Grand Sport", in 1938 entered the "Suprastella" stage. And in 1937 launched the model RENAULT "Juvaquatre" which heralded a new era in automotive engineering at RENAULT. And its creator should survive ...

But even outside of the segment of passenger car RENAULT remained active. In 1933 RENAULT aircraft manufacturer Caudron.

1945. The world is in ruins! Hitler has torn Europe and the world to himself in the abyss. Nothing will be as it once was! Although France is one of the victorious powers. But at what price? LOUIS RENAULT, once the largest employer in the country is dead! Charles de Gaulle of the importance and significance of the company is aware. He orders the nationalization of the company. And introduces PIERRE LEFAUCHEUX a man at the head of the group, he better not have to choose. In the episode will prove that getting the right men, the state enterprise "Régie Nationale des Usines Renault" should lead to the correct time.

PIERRE LEFAUCHEUX bored in London, when LOUIS RENAULT provides the coroner. RENAULT was hiding in the department of Sarthe. His friend and president of the Bar Association Ribet advises him to take this step. RENAULT is marked by illness. On September 23 RENAULT imprisoned in Fresnes, as its director René de Peyrecave. It is obvious that the RENAULT Group of nationalization can not escape!

Robert Lacoste, industry minister in the Cabinet de Gaulle, favors PIERRE LEFAUCHEUX. LEFAUCHEUX learns on his return to France of its provisional appointment as administrator of the largest French industrial company. And leaning first off! His wife Marie-Hélène and Lacoste urge LEFAUCHEUX, finally he accepts. But he is not interested in the automobile. Even as president of the "Régie" he travels often to cycle to work. LEFAUCHEUX adopted under the condition that it can contribute to the preparation of the new constitution for the company, which is also Lacoste agree!

And LEFAUCHEUX proves luck for the nationalized companies. Although he has no particular taste for automobile, but he has a good nose and a sure hand. Already during the war left LOUIS RENAULT work on two prototypes. On a 11CV-called middle class model, which is to be the Frégate later, and a 4CV the small car. LEFAUCHEUX knows that the post-war France a small inexpensive yet comfortable car needed. Fernand Picard, already under LOUIS RENAULT head of development begins, during the war with the drafting of the small car. Immediately after the war, he continues the work with high pressure. RENAULT is the only manufacturer who introduces a new development at the Paris Salon in October 1946th The competition can only attend to hastily nailed together pre-war models. The astonished clientele sees a small car, but it comes up with four doors, a powerful, small-747ccm engine in the rear and a still acceptable trunk before the windshield!

Furthermore, it can be seen at the Paris Salon in 1946, another, somewhat betagtes, but very important nonetheless for RENAULT Model: The Juvaquatre! Especially as a delivery model "Dauphinoise" should "Juva" find buyer. Thus RENAULT had indeed a small, yet well-balanced lineup. The 4CV, which was to take the post-war France "roll" into, and the Dauphinoise, "move" the economic life in France should. Thus, the basic needs of the automotive life in Frank Eich were satisfied. 1950 laid the Régie to: LEFAUCHEUX launched the model "Colorale" nor the Dauphinoise. While the estate version of Juvaquatre was a little workhorse, but rather overwhelmed for use in agriculture or forestry. The dauphinoise was THE car for butchers, bakers and master painter. But for heavy-duty use in the service of the Forest Service, as well as tow truck and pickup, the Colorale was exactly the right thing!

But not only outwards, with the introduction of new, important models to LEFAUCHEUX gives a certain respect. Also inside, in the management of the Group's LEFAUCHEUX must say. He has to work with them together in the future, which served to date LOUIS RENAULT. And he, of the automobile and the Group has no clue is, dependent on the General Staff of LOUIS RENAULT. Even in early October 1944, he receives the management of the group!

He opened the visibly tense listeners the future direction of RENAULT: "From now on you will no longer serve A man but an entire nation! Do not expect from me that I burden lying on the ground and seriously ill man, I represent you. LOUIS RENAULT was a great man to whom France owes much to! I understand your loyalty towards him! I go so far as to tell you that I would despise you would him now unfaithful! But it is normal that at this time a new constitution for this company is unceasingly. Charles de Gaulle has decreed that he will introduce in this business a fraternal authority "!

But still the war is not over. Primarily, the young Régie care of repair work on military equipment, this time French and Allied vehicles. Slowly but surely, Nazi Germany is defeated. LEFAUCHEUX gets excited: "The first auxiliary column, which came into the camp of Buchenwald on the heels of the Allied Army, set up of trucks of Régie Renault, who had three days earlier to leave Billancourt. And there are the reaprierten the Régie tanks of type B1, the enclosed yet by German troops Atlantic ports freed under the command of General de Larminat "!

The time after the war is more than difficult. There is a lack of raw materials and energy. Yet in September 1945 More than 1,000 vehicles jacked in the workshops, there is a lack of tires! Also current is allocated, the plant can not fully exploit its effectiveness. The story narrated: The 4CV, initially delivered only in Sahara Beige, obtained from the French nicknamed "Butterklümpchen", because of its color. Choose one could not at first: Sahara Beige was the only available finish, it was remainders from the war in Africa!

But you can tell the time even the upswing. It went ahead, not only in the "economic miracle" Germany, in other European countries, even in France. Following the introduction of 4CV, Dauphinoise and Colorale followed in November 1951, the Frégate. Even during the war development chief Picard is working on 11CV called prototype. But after the war the concept seems outdated. Picard redeveloped the existing project 108th The new upper class RENAULT need as quickly as possible to the market. Man wants to build at RENAULT old traditions and strengths! But that goes in the wrong direction. The rear engine is too heavy and impaired driving negatively, the trunk turns out too small. LEFAUCHEUX can stop the project. The redesign is finally in the right direction: front-engine, rear-wheel drive, large trunk, generous equipment. But time is pressing! On November 30, 1950 provides LEFAUCHEUX before the Frégate public. Too early! Too many teething burden the new model. In September 1951 finally launched RENAULT a balanced and mature high end model. The combi version "Manoir" is an early representative of today's popular upper-class station wagon!

You can tell Everywhere: It goes straight up! In April 1954, gives reason to celebrate at RENAULT! The RENAULT Model Frégate number 50,000 and 500,000 are 4CV rolled off! In the same month, you can celebrate the millionth vehicle of the fledgling Régie RENAULT, two million vehicles since the company was founded in 1898! But at RENAULT does not rest one out on its laurels. Longitudinal development chef Fernand Picard began the project 109th decided in July 1951, the work is underway at the future "Dauphine" at full speed! Especially export should boost the Dauphine, conquer primarily the USA! But in other markets RENAULT is active. LEFAUCHEUX traveling in 1951 to Japan, a traditionally strong market RENAULT, and includes a license agreement with Hino Diesel Industry who want to build the 4CV licenses.

The Dauphine was the ace in the hole of RENAULT. However, their spiritual father Pierre Lefaucheux should no longer experience the success of the car.

LEFAUCHEUX who wanted to be the beginning not new captain at RENAULT, sees itself now in his element. And he breaks new ground and cuts off old habits! Where LOUIS RENAULT everything produced itself, LEFAUCHEUX concludes supply agreements with suppliers for not having previously convinced without the high quality of the products. He wants to be limited to the Haupteschäft RENAULT. Construction of passenger cars and trucks! Also productivity has increased enormously. At the beginning of 1955 RENAULT has nearly 22,000 machine tools, the production of the Régie cover an area of ​​the order of the city of Chartres. The effective strength of the workforce corresponds approximately to that of the city of Poitiers!

But all these impressive records and numbers are irrelevant at a stroke ...

Friday, February 11, 1955: LEFAUCHEUX has promised to hold in Strasbourg a lecture. He has a ticket for the web in your pocket, the weather is bad, it is predicted ice. But at the last minute LEFAUCHEUX chooses to drive by car. He throws his suitcase in the backseat of his Frégate. When the city of Saint-Dizier comes into view, a sign indicating a detour surprised him. He would go straight to continue, but he tried at the last moment of diversion reproduce long. He braked, but on the road is slippery. The Frégate rotates and flips over and comes in a field on the side to rest. The passenger compartment is virtually undamaged. But the suitcase in the back seat meets LEFAUCHEUX neck. PIERRE LEFAUCHEUX was dead on the spot!

Carlos Ghosn (pronounced: "gonn") (born March 9, 1954 in Porto Velho), the Brazilian-born Chief Executive Officer of Renault and Nissan. Ghosn grew up in Lebanon and studied at the French École Polytechnique. After completing his engineering studies, he worked since 1978 at Michelin, where he head for the region North America is after 12 years. After 18 years at Michelin, he comes in 1996 as Manager for Renault with the task to assist in the rehabilitation of the ailing group. Renault sent him in 1999 with the mission "views and rehabilitate." to the Japanese auto giant Nissan on which Renault had participated under the leadership of Louis Schweitzer to 44.4% and was in an existence-threatening crisis. Plant closures, Ver-improvements of all processes and reorganization of embossed of felt supply chain led to the reorganization of Nissan. His goals took Ghosn together in the number 180. The said 1 million sell more cars, 8% yield and O yen debt. Despite the job losses Ghosn became extremely popular in Japan because there had feared the downfall of the brand, and he with Nissan achieved the objectives of 2003. Renault he has been the successor of Louis Schweitzer, whose cooperation with Nissan, he made in the eyes of the Supervisory Board and the French public of a "liaison dangereuse" (hazardous compound) to a "liaison merveilleuse" (wonderful connection), since 2005. He put a three-year plan entitled "Renault Commitment 2009" with the following goals: 6% return (instead of 3.2%); Increase of Renault sales of 2.5 million cars to 800,000 cars to 3.3 million vehicles, of which 250,000 are to be sold in Western Europe; 24 new models, including 5 models with sale prices than 27,000 euros. Synergies of Renault and Nissan are systematically exploited and created. So the earlier 33 platforms will be merged by 2010 to 10, which saved $ 1.4 billion in 2005, while shopping and even greater sums in the development work. Nissan Micra and Renault Modus are based on the common B platform, C platform, based on the Megane and Scenic, is the basis for the compact models of Nissan as the Almera. Successful models are built in foreign works of the partner, the Renault Scenic in the Mexican Nissan plant in Cuernavaca, the Nissan Pickup in Renault plant in Brazil. The Commercial Vehicles Renault Trafic and Nissan Primastar be built in a joint plant in Barcelona in Spain. Even engines, transmissions and components are developed jointly. Joint logistics and joint distribution reinforces Nissan through the use of Renault's strong presence in Western Europe and South America and more recently in Eastern Europe and strengthens Renault through the use of Nissan's strong position in Asia, USA, Mexico and Australia.

Ghosn is known for its well structured way of working. Two weeks of his time include Nissan, fortnight Renault. Sessions last for example, under his direction 55 minutes. In the first five minutes, the objectives are described. 20 minutes, the problems are presented. 20 minutes discussed solutions. In the last 5 minutes, the decisions are made. Here is one of his principles that a session always ends with decisions: "No meeting without a resolution," is also its target for the whole company. Ghosn is considered one of the most coveted managers when it comes to the rescue of automotive companies. He is considered one of the best corporate reformers, partly because he brought out of the crisis since 1999 and Nissan today successfully the Nissan / Renault alliance leads. Bill Ford from the same car manufacturer Ford has for example recently expressed interest in Ghosn. Its successful redevelopment of the initially costly buying the wrong Nissan is often used in Germany in the discussion as a positive counter-example to the failed introduction of Daimler-Chrysler under the leadership of Jürgen Schrempp at Mitsubishi in 2000th In 2006 Ghosn led to the proposal of the General Motors shareholder Kirk Kerkorian talks on an alliance with General Motors, the first but ended without result.