Renault

Year of foundation 1898

 

The history of the Renault automobile company is an industrial and human adventure spanning more than a century.

 

The Origins (1898-1918)
The Founding: The story begins on December 24, 1898, when the young engineer Louis Renault, just 21 years old, presented his first car, the "Voiturette Type A." Featuring an innovative direct-drive transmission, the vehicle was an immediate success. The following year, on February 25, 1899, Louis founded the "Société Renault Frères" with his brothers Marcel and Fernand in Boulogne-Billancourt, near Paris.

 

Racing Success: The Renault brothers immediately made a name for themselves in the world of motor racing, winning numerous races and earning a solid reputation. Sadly, in 1903, Marcel died in an accident during the Paris-Madrid race. Louis found himself running the company alone after Fernand retired in 1908.

 

Innovation and Mass Production: Louis Renault was a pioneer of innovation. In 1905, the company adopted mass production techniques, and in 1913, Taylorism. During the First World War, Renault converted to support the war effort, producing trucks, ambulances, munitions, and the famous FT17 tanks, which would prove decisive.

 

The Interwar Period (1919-1945)
Modernization: After the war, Renault continued to modernize its factories, inaugurating the first assembly line in Billancourt in 1929.

 

World War II: The most controversial period in the company's history took place during World War II. Louis Renault's factories worked for Nazi Germany. Because of this collaboration, Louis Renault was arrested in 1944 after the liberation of France. He died in prison before being tried. On January 1, 1945, the company was nationalized by the French provisional government, becoming the "Régie Nationale des Usines Renault" (RNUR).

 

Post-war rebirth and expansion (1946-1980)
Rebirth: Under state management, Renault launched the 4CV in 1946, a compact and popular model that marked its rebirth.

 

Iconic models: Between the 1960s and 1970s, the automaker experienced a new golden age with the launch of models that became true icons, such as the Renault 4 (1961) and the Renault 5 (1972). These practical and economical vehicles conquered the European market.

 

International expansion: Renault expanded its global presence by entering into partnerships and acquiring stakes in other companies, such as American Motors.

 

Challenges and the Alliance (1980-Present)
Crisis and Privatization: The 1980s were a period of great challenges, with intense competition and financial difficulties. To recover, the company reduced costs and sold its subsidiaries. In 1996, Renault was privatized, returning to public ownership.

 

The Renault-Nissan Alliance: The turning point came in 1999, when Renault entered into a strategic alliance with the Japanese manufacturer Nissan. This partnership allowed the two companies to share platforms and components, reducing costs and expanding their global presence. In the same year, Renault acquired the Romanian brand Dacia.

 

Innovation and the Future: In the new millennium, Renault continued to innovate, entering the electric vehicle market with its "Z.E." (Zero Emissions) range and developing successful models such as the Clio, the Mégane, and the Captur and Kadjar crossovers. With its "Renaulution" strategic plan, Groupe Renault is focusing on the transition to sustainable mobility, electrification, and new services, continuing to build on its history as a pioneer in the automotive industry.