A-Z Of Marques No 60: Renault
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Your support makes all the difference.The marque: One of the oldest in the business. Born France, 1898.
The history: At the end of the 19th century, Louis Renault manufactured his first car, a De Dion engined model with a 273cc engine. With his two brothers, Marcel and Fernand, he founded Renault Fréres at Billancourt, Seine.
At first, the company specialised in a large range of cars all with two-cylinder engines. Taxis were a notable part of the output and saw service on the Marne in the First World War, along with London omnibuses. A straight eight followed in 1929, the 7.1-litre Reinastella.
Renault was nationalised by the French government following the Second World War after the former organisation had collaborated with the Germans.
The Regié Nationale des Usines Renault began a series of highly successful small cars from the 4CV, through the Dauphine, to the Renault 4, Renault 5 and Clio that underpinned its long-term success.
The Espace, which was launched in 1984, created a new market sector. The failed 1970s alliance with American Motors was replaced by a fruitful Nissan partnership and more daring designs.
Defining model: Renault 4.
They say: Createur d' Automobiles.
We say: Shakes a little.
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