Nice New Renaults

The Renault Corporation first began producing cars in 1897. The company has actually been in business far longer, however. Starting in the 1700’s, Renaults have been involved in producing coffee, salt and various other products. The road to the production of motor vehicles actually began with crinoline dress. Renault produced the steel rods used to keep the dresses stiff. Machining these steel rods indirectly led to machining other steel products.

Louis Renault was involved in engineering and design, his two brothers, Marcel and Ferdinand had much experience in management having been involved for many years in their father’s textile plants.

Louis Renault was responsible for the sale of the first Renault car, which he allowed a friend father to drive. The man was so impressed with the capabilities of the car that he bought it on the spot.

At this time, European road racing was in its infancy, but the brothers immediately recognized that road racing could give their cars tremendous amounts of exposure to the public. Louis and Marcel actively participated in driving their cars in these races until Marcel was killed in the 1903 Paris Madrid race. This would end Louis’s racing career as well but the Renault vehicles still actively participated in the races. It was the Renault AK 90CV that won the very first Grand Prix motor racing event.

Because vehicles were considered as luxury items at the time, Renault expanded beyond passenger cars to produce taxis, buses and other types of industrial vehicles. Just as most other manufacturers, Renault turned its attention to the war efforts during World War I producing ammunition, aircraft and tanks. Renault’s military contributions resulted in Louis Renault being honored by the Allies at the end of World War I.

Between the two world wars that the world would see in the twentieth century, Renault began to expand the company to produce both large and small vehicles. However, during this time the company experienced problems with both the stock market and their labor force. One of the most significant problems facing the car company was distribution of their product. Renault was finally able to contract with a distributor in the north of France and things picked up significantly for the company.

In the mid thirties, the trend of shipping back expensive European cars prior to World War I had all but disappeared and imports to the United States dropped almost to zero.

World War II was to be a difficult challenge for Renault Corporation when France fell to the Axis powers in 1940. Nazi took control of Renault’s factories and wanted him to produce military vehicles and ammunition for them. Although Renault refused to assist the Nazi’s in this way, he was still accused of collaborating with the Germans and was arrested in 1944. Unfortunately, he died in prison without ever being able to defend himself against the hideous accusations.

After World War II, the company was lifted on the same wave of opportunity that was sweeping the rest of the world. Renault was revitalized and began producing quality cars that rivaled the likes of Morris Minor and Volkswagen’s Beetle.

By the 1970’s, the energy crisis was affecting all auto manufacturers and Renault was not immune. They used this stressful period to try to gain more success in the United States market. This was only marginally successful and by the mid seventies, the French car company had withdrawn back to its shores across the Atlantic.

Ronnie Tanner is a contributing writer at SW Engines. He writes about used Renault engines and other related industry specific topics for the company.

Renault, the world famous maker of cars, tractors, buses, vans and lorries, was founded in France in 1899 by Louis Renault along with his brothers Fernand and Marcel. The company was initially called Societe Renault Freres, though what was to be the first Renault vehicle was actually produced a year before the formal formation of the new company. The new car was called the Renault Voiturette 1CV and was given its first test drive on Christmas Eve, 1898.

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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