The history of the Renault car brand
Renault is an automotive corporation headquartered in Boulogne-Billancourt, a commune on the outskirts of Paris. At the moment it is a member of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance.
The company is the largest of the French companies engaged in the manufacture of cars of the passenger, sports and commercial class. Many models from this manufacturer have received the highest safety ratings, which are carried out by Euro NCAP.
Here are the models that passed the crash tests:
- Laguna - 2001;
- Megane (2nd generation) and Vel Satis - 2002;
- Scenic, Laguna and Espace - 2003;
- Modus and Megane Coupe Cabriolet (second generation) - 2004;
- Vel Satis, Clio (3rd generation) - 2005;
- Laguna II - 2007;
- Megane II, Koleos - 2008;
- Grand Scenic – 2009;
- Clio 4 - 2012;
- Captur - 2013;
- ZOE – 2013;
- Space 5 - 2014.
The criteria by which the reliability of the cars was determined concerned the safety for pedestrians, passengers (including the second row), as well as for the driver.
History of Renault
The company originates from the formation of a small production of passenger cars, which was founded by three Renault brothers - Marseille, Fernand and Louis in 1898 (the company received a simple name - "Renault Brothers"). The first car that came out of the mini-factory was a small lightweight self-propelled carriage with four wheels. The model was named Voiturette 1CV. The peculiarity of the development was that it was the first in the world to use a direct top gear in a gearbox.
Here are further milestones for the brand:
- 1899 - the first full-fledged car appears - modification A, which was equipped with an engine with low power (only 1,75 horsepower). The drive was rear-wheel drive, but unlike the chain drive used by Louis Renault's contemporaries, he installed a cardan drive on the car. The principle of this development is still applied in the company's rear-wheel drive cars.
- 1900 - Renault brothers begin to develop cars with unique body types. So, their plant produces cars "Capuchin", "Double Phaeton" and "Landau". Also, design enthusiasts are beginning to get involved in motorsport.
- 1902 - Louis patents his own development, which would later be called turbocharging. The following year, a car accident takes the life of one of the brothers, Marcel.
- 1904 - there is another patent from the company - a removable spark plug.
- 1905 - The team continues to develop elements for more efficient engine operation. So, in that year, another development appeared - a starter, reinforced by the action of compressed air. In the same year, the production of models of cars for taxis - La Marne starts.
- 1908 - Louis becomes the full owner of the brand - he buys out the shares of his brother Fernand.
- 1906 - the Berlin Motor Show presents the first bus created at the brand's factory.
- In the pre-war years, the automaker changed its profile, acting as a supplier of military equipment. So, in 1908, the first aircraft engine appeared. Also, there are passenger cars that are used by representatives of the Russian authorities. I. Ulyanov (Lenin) was one of the influential personalities who used cars of the French brand. The third car that the Bolshevik leader was driving was 40 CV. The first two were made by other companies.
- 1919 - after the First World War, the manufacturer presents the world's first full-fledged tank - FT.
- 1922 - The 40CV gets a brake booster upgrade. This was also the discovery of Louis Renault.
- 1923 - prototype model NN (started production in 1925) overcame the Sahara desert. The novelty received a curiosity at that time - front-wheel drive.
- 1932 - the world's first motris appears (a self-propelled rail car, which was usually equipped with a diesel unit).
- 1935 - the development of an innovative tank appears, which becomes one of the best models created in peacetime. The model is named R35.
- 1940-44 - production completely stops, as most of the factories were destroyed during the bombing during the Second World War. The very founder of the company is accused of complicity with the Nazi occupiers, he goes to prison, where he dies in the 44th year. To prevent the brand and its developments disappearing, the French government makes the firm national.
- 1948 - a new product appears on the market - 4CV, which has an original body shape and was equipped with a small engine.
- 1950s and 60s - The company enters the global market. Plants are opened in Japan, England, South Africa and Spain.
- 1958 - the production of the popular Renault 4 subcompact starts, which is produced in a circulation of only 8 million copies.
- 1965 - a new model appears, which for the first time in the world received a hatchback body in the version in which we are used to seeing such cars. The model received the marking 16.
- 1974-1983 - the brand controls the production facilities of Mack Trucks.
- 1983 - the geography of production is expanding with the start of production of Renault 9 in the USA.
- 1985 - the first European model of the Espace minivan appears.
- 1990 - the first model comes off the assembly line of the company, which instead of digital marking gets the letter name - Clio.
- 1993 - the brand's engineering department presents an innovative development of a twin-turbo engine with 268 horsepower. In the same year, the Racoon concept car is shown at the Geneva Motor Show. At the end of the year, a middle class car appears - Laguna.
- 1996 - the company goes into private ownership.
- 1999 - the Renault group is formed, which consists of several well-known brands, for example, Dacia. The brand is also acquiring nearly 40 percent of Nissan, helping to lift the Japanese automaker out of the stalemate.
- 2001 - the division engaged in the development and manufacture of trucks is sold to Volvo, but with the condition of maintaining the brand of vehicles produced using Renault technology.
- 2002 - the brand becomes an official participant in the F-1 races. Until 2006, the team brings the brand two victories, both in the individual competition and among the constructors.
- 2008 - a quarter of shares in Russian AvtoVAZ are acquired.
- 2011 - the brand begins to develop in the industry of creating electric vehicle models. An example of such models is ZOE or Twizy.
- 2012 - the industrial group acquires the main part of the controlling stake in AvtoVAZ (67 percent).
- 2020 - the company is cutting jobs due to the decline in sales caused by the worldwide pandemic.
Logo story
In 1925, the first version of the famous logo appeared - a rhombus stretched at the poles. The emblem has undergone dramatic changes twice. The first change appeared in 72nd year, and the next - in 92nd.
In 2004. the emblem receives a yellow background, and after another three years, the inscription of the brand name is placed under the logo.
The logo was last updated in 2015. At the Geneva Motor Show, along with the presentation of the new Kajar and Espace products, a new company concept was presented to the world of motorists, reflected in a revised emblem style.
Instead of yellow, the background changed to white, and the rhombus itself received more rounded bright edges.
Owners and management of the company
The largest shareholders of the brand are Nissan (15 percent of the shares the company receives in exchange for its 36,8%) and the French government (15 percent of the shares). L. Schweitzer is the chairman of the board of directors, and K. Ghosn is the president until 2019. Since 2019 Jean-Dominique Senard becomes the president of the brand.
T.Bollore became the general director of the company by decision of the board of directors in the same year. He previously served as the company's deputy president. In February 19 th, Thierry Bollore received the post of chairman of the Renault-Nissan holding.
Car brand models
The model range of the French brand includes passenger cars, small cargo models (vans), electric cars and sports cars.
The first category contains the following models:
- Twingo (a-class) read more about the European classification of cars here;
- Clio (b-class);
- Capture (j-class, compactcross);
- Megane (c-class);
- Talisman;
- Scenic;
- Space (e-class, business);
- Arcana;
- Caddies;
- Koleos?
- ZOE;
- Alaska;
- Kangoo (minivan);
- Trafic (passenger version).
The second category includes:
- Kangoo Express;
- Traffic;
- Master.
The third type of model includes:
- twizy;
- New (ZOE);
- Kangoo ZE;
- Master Z.E.
The fourth group of models includes:
- Twingo model with GT abbreviation;
- Clio Race Sport modifications;
- Megane RS.
Throughout history, the company has presented several interesting concept cars:
- Z17;
- NEPT;
- Grand Tour;
- Megane (Cut);
- Sand-up;
- Fluence Z.E.;
- ZOE THEM;
- ZE Twizy;
- say;
- R-Space;
- Frendzy;
- Alpine A-110-50;
- Initial Paris;
- Twin-Run;
- Twizy RS F-1;
- Twin Z;
- EOLAB;
- Duster OROCH;
- KWID;
- Alpine Vision GT;
- Sports RS.
And finally, we offer an overview of perhaps the most beautiful Renault car: