Automotive industry in France
France was a pioneer in the automotive industry and is the 11th-largest automobile manufacturer in the world by 2015 unit production and the third-largest in Europe (after Germany and Spain).[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] It had consistently been the 4th-largest from the end of World War II up to 2000. It is 16% of sales of French manufactured products.
France is home to two major automaking companies:
- Stellantis (owner of the Peugeot, Citroën, DS and Opel/Vauxhall marques which were originally part of the PSA Group).
- Renault Samsung Motors marques and 43% of Nissan) the 3rd-largest automaker in Europe and the 10th-largest of the world in 2015.
Additional lesser automotive manufacturers in France include:
- luxury marque of Bugatti Rimac headquartered in Molsheim.
- Venturi, a small sports car manufacturer and Formula Eteam sponsor.
- Polaris Industries headquartered in Aix-les-Bains.
- DrivePlanet headquartered in Abrest.
The France-based Renault Trucks is a major producer of commercial vehicles and is owned by Volvo. Both PSA and Renault produce a large number of vehicles outside France. French automotive manufacturers were long dominant in francophone Africa, but beginning in the 1970s the Japanese were making inroads due to lower prices and the availability of suitable light offroad cars and trucks.[8]
French-designed cars have won the
18th and 19th centuries
1769 – Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot builds the first self-propelled mechanical vehicle.[11]
1807 – François Isaac de Rivaz invents a hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine.
1859 – Jean Joseph Étienne Lenoir develops an internal combustion engine.
1884 – Edouard Delamare-Deboutteville is credited in France with building the first gasoline-powered automobile.
1885 – Amédée Bollée begins manufacturing steam-powered vehicles.
1887 – Léon Serpollet begins building steam-powered vehicles.
1887 –
1890 – Armand Peugeot produces a four-wheeled car powered by a Daimler gasoline fueled internal combustion engine.
1894 –
1894 –
1896 – Armand Peugeot starts to build and fit his own engines to his cars.
1896 – Léon Bollée builds gasoline-powered cars.
1898 – The Renault brothers, Louis, Marcel and Fernand, sell their first car.
1900–1950
1903 – France remains the world's leading automaker, producing 30,124 cars (nearly 49% of the world total) as against 11,235 cars produced in the USA.[12]
1903 – Hotchkiss et Cie is founded. The company is bought by Peugeot in 1950, but discontinues auto production by 1955.
1905 –
1910 – Ettore Bugatti started the Bugatti company in Molsheim (then in Germany, now in France). Production ends in 1956.
1911 – The French branch of Hispano-Suiza is founded. Auto production is ended in 1938.
1919 –
1919 –
1920 – Darracq (founded 1896) merges with Sunbeam and Talbot, creating what eventually became Talbot-Lago in 1935. The company is bought by Simca in 1959.
1921 – Amilcar is founded. The company merges with Hotchkiss et Cie in 1937 and ceases production in 1939.
1921 – Salmson begins auto production. In 1957, the company is bought by Renault.
1922 – Leon Paulet begins auto production.
1929 – French annual automobile production peaked at 253,000 passenger cars, a level that would not be matched till after the
1933 – With French passenger car production at 140,635 units, France lost its place as Europe's top automobile producer to Great Britain 220,775. The French roads nevertheless reflected three decades during much of which the French auto-industry had led the world, with a "car parc" of 1,448,000, ahead of Britain which had 1,210,880 cars registered and of Germany with only 510,680 cars.[13]
1934 – Simca established by Henri Pigozzi to build Fiat cars.
1934 – Citroën introduces the
1934 – Matford begins building Ford cars, but ceases in 1939. In 1947, the company is reorganized as Ford SAF and sells cars under the Ford name.
1936 – While the British and German economies powered ahead during the 1930s, growth in the French economy was at best tentative, with a period of destructive strikes and economic paralysis during the middle years of the decade. In Germany the Hitler government treated the German auto-industry to a central role in a radical economic strategy driven by what can be seen as a Keynesian approach to "fiscal stimulus". In 1936 France fell from second to third place among Europe's auto-producing nations, recording production of 204,000[14] cars, while Germany's production amounted to 213,117 passenger cars.[15]
1945 – Renault becomes state owned and is called Régie nationale des usines Renault (RNUR).
1945 – The
by the mid-1950s.1946 – Renault introduces the Renault 4CV model.
1948 – Citroën introduces the Citroën 2CV model, a small front-wheel drive saloon marketed as a "people's car" in the same vein as Germany's Volkswagen Beetle.
1948 – Peugeot introduces the Peugeot 203 model.
1950–2000
1954 – Facel Vega established.
1954 – Simca acquires Ford SAF.
1955 – Citroën introduces the Citroën DS model, equipped with disk brakes and self-leveling suspension.
1955 –
1957 – End of Citroën Traction Avant production after 23 years.
1960 – Launch of the Peugeot 404 saloon models.
1961 – Launch of the Renault 4, a small estate car which is aimed at the lower end of the market dominated in France by the Citroën 2CV, as well as foreign competitors like the Volkswagen Beetle and BMC's new Mini.
1963 – American automotive giant Chrysler takes a 63% ownership stake in Simca.
1964 – Closure of Facel Vega after just 10 years of car production due financial problems.
1965 – Matra begins automobile production. Citroën takes over Panhard, phasing out the marque on passenger cars. The Renault 16, a large family hatchback (the first production car with that bodystyle), is launched and voted European Car of the Year.
1968 – Citroën takes over Italian sports and luxury car maker Maserati. Peugeot launches the 504, a large rear-wheel drive family saloon, which is voted European Car of the Year.
1969 – The Renault 12 medium-sized saloon and estate range is launched, but it missed out on the European Car of the Year award, which goes to the Fiat 128 from Italy.
1970 – Citroën introduces the Citroën SM, a large coupe featuring a self-leveling suspension, self-centering speed-sensitive power steering, hydropneumatic brakes, and engine technology from Maserati. It also launched the new GS family car, which is voted European Car of the Year. Chrysler launches a new French-built, British-designed flagship saloon model, the 180.
1972 – Launch of the Renault 5, France's first small hatchback. It features a three-door bodystyle and front-wheel drive.
1973 – Launch of the Chrysler 2 Litre, a larger-engine version of the 180 model.
1974 – Despite its new CX (successor to the 19-year-old DS) being voted European Car of the Year, Citroën files bankruptcy. Maserati is then sold to Alejandro de Tomaso. Peugeot launches its first hatchback model, the three-door 104, which is launched two years after the original saloon.
1975 – The
1976 – Renault launches a new small family hatchback model, the R14, which is similar in concept to the Volkswagen Golf from West Germany.
1978 –
1979 – Peugeot launches the
1980 – Demise of the
1981 – The
1982 – Citroën launches the Citroën BX, which will eventually replace the smaller GSA.
1983 – Peugeot launches the new
1984 - Renault launches the Espace - Europe's first volume multi purpose vehicle. The R5 receives a complete redesign but its styling is still recognisable as an update of the 1972 original.
1985 – The Peugeot 309 goes into production, built at the former Rootes factory near Coventry, England, rather than in France. Peugeot had scrapped plans to sell the car under the Talbot marque, which will now be phased out on passenger cars.
1986 –
1987 – Peugeot launches the
, signalling the end of the Talbot brand on passenger cars.1988 – Citroën 2CV production in France ends after 40 years, along with the Visa after 10 years. 2CV production is to continue in Portugal until 1990. Renault replaces the 9/11 range with the R19. Launch of the Peugeot 405 in estate form.
1989 – The Citroën CX saloon is discontinued after 15 years and replaced by the XM, which is voted European Car of the Year. The last Peugeot 305 models are built.
1990 – Launch of the Renault Clio, a new small hatchback, which will eventually replace the R5. It is voted European Car of the Year. Citroën ends production of the 2CV after 42 years, the last two of which saw the car produced in Portugal.
1991 – Peugeot partly replaces its hugely popular 205 with the slightly smaller 106, while Citroën re-enters the medium-sized hatchback market with its ZX, the first of two replacements for the ageing BX. The final versions of the CX are built after a production run of 17 years, with the estate model being axed two years after the saloon, to make way for the new XM estate. Peugeot launches a new entry-level model, the 106.
1992 –
1993 – Peugeot replaces the 309 with the 306, which also partly replaces the smaller 205 (which is still in production in its tenth year). Citroën launches the Xantia, replacement for the BX hatchback. At the end of the year, Renault discontinues the R21 after nearly eight years on sale and replaces it with the Laguna.
1994 – The last versions of the Citroën BX are produced after a 12-year run, when the estate model is finally replaced by an estate version of the Xantia hatchback.
1995 – Renault launches the
1996 – Renault is privatized and its new Scénic version of the Megane hatchback is launched to compete in the new compact MPV sector, winning the European Car of the Year award. Production of R5 is finally ended after nearly 25 years, although the last few years of production were concentrated in Slovenia rather than France. Peugeot facelifts the 106 supermini to keep it competitive with a host of newer rivals, while Citroën makes use of the 106 design for its new Saxo, which replaces the AX. Peugeot re-enters the coupe market after more than a decade away with the 406 Coupe.
1997 –
1998 –
1999 – Renault obtains a controlling interest in Japanese automaker Nissan. Renault buys 99% ownership in Romanian automaker Dacia, which has produced its version of the Renault 12 for the last 30 years. Launch of the Citroën Picasso, a compact MPV similar in the style to the Renault Scénic, which is based on the floorpan of the Xsara hatchback.
2000 – Demise of the Citroën XM after 11 years, following a sharp fall in sales since the mid 1990s. The Peugeot 206 CC is launched - the first French car to feature a folding steel roof, which enables it to double as a coupe and convertible. The second generation Renault Laguna is introduced at the end of the year, being one of the first mass production cars to feature a "keyless" entry and ignition system.
2000 – present
2000 –
2001 – Toyota builds its Western European assembly line for the Toyota Yaris in Valenciennes. Peugeot's new Peugeot 307, replacement for the long-running 306, is voted European Car of the Year.
2001 –
2002 – The Renault Megane II is launched and voted European Car of the Year. The five-door Citroën C3 is launched, the first of two new cars which will replace the Saxo.
2003 – End of Peugeot 106 production after 12 years. It had been on sale since 1991, with a facelift in 1996. The Citroën Saxo is also discontinued following the launch of the three-door Citroën C2.
2004 – Replacement of the Peugeot 406 by the Peugeot 407. Citroën replaces the Xsara hatchback with the Citroën C4.
2005 – The Renault Clio III is launched and voted European Car of the Year, with the second generation model being renamed the Clio Campus and now being produced in Slovenia. Launch of the Citroën C1 and Peugeot 107, which are built in a Czech factory as part of a venture with Toyota.
2006 – Launch of the Peugeot 207, which will eventually replace the 206. The new car is produced in France. Peugeot closes its factory near Coventry, England, which it bought from Chrysler 28 years ago. The Picasso and seven-seater Grand Picasso versions of the Citroën C4 are launched, but the hugely successful Xsara Picasso remains in production alongside it.
2007 – The Renault Twingo, France's longest-running current production model, is replaced by an all-new model after 15 years. The new Twingo is only produced in Slovenia. The Peugeot 307 is replaced by the Peugeot 308.
2008 – Renault obtains a 25% interest in Russian automaker AvtoVAZ.
2010 – Demise of the Peugeot 206 after 12 years in production, the last four of which took place in
2012 – Launch of the Peugeot 208, replacement for the 207. End of Citroën Xsara Picasso production after 13 years, marking the end of the last volume production passenger car in France from before the year 2000.
2013 - Launch of the second generation Peugeot 308, which is voted European Car of the Year.
2014 – Replacement of the Peugeot 107 with the Peugeot 108, which once again is part of a Peugeot-Toyota venture, built in the Czech Republic alongside the new generation Citroën C1 and Toyota Aygo. Launch of the Renault Twingo III, which features a switch to rear-wheel drive and a rear-mounted engine, the first Renault in half a century to feature such a mechanical layout.
2021 – PSA Group completed the merger with Italian-American automaker Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, thus leading up to the establishment of Stellantis, which headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands. This merger also leading up to the reunition between Maserati and Citroën after 46 years.
Production data
Vehicle production in France:[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][16]
Year | Unit production |
---|---|
1950 | 357,000 |
1960 | 1,369,000 |
1970 | 2,750,086 |
1980 | 3,378,433 |
1990 | 3,768,993 |
1999 | 3,180,193 |
2000 | 3,348,361 |
2001 | 3,628,418 |
2002 | 3,601,870 |
2003 | 3,620,066 |
2004 | 3,665,990 |
2005 | 3,549,008 |
2006 | 3,169,219 |
2007 | 3,019,144 |
2008 | 2,568,978 |
2009 | 2,049,762 |
2010 | 2,227,742 |
2011 | 2,242,928 |
2012 | 1,967,765 |
2013 | 1,740,220 |
2014 | 1,821,464 |
2015 | 1,970,000 |
2016 | 2,082,000 |
2017 | 2,227,000 |
2018 | 2,270,000 |
2019 | 2,202,460 |
2020 | 1,316,371 |
Total worldwide motor vehicle production by Renault in 2010 (excluding Nissan) was 2,716,286, of which 2,395,876 were passenger vehicles. This ranked tenth among all vehicle manufacturers. Total motor vehicle production by PSA Peugeot Citroën in 2010 was 3,605,524, of which 3,214,810 passenger vehicles. This ranked eighth among all vehicle manufacturers.[1]
Gallery
-
Bellanger 24 CV Type A1 (1921)
-
Renault Nervasport (1932)
-
Peugeot Elyséo 125, 'Roland Garros' (2002)
-
DS 3 Crossback
-
Microcar M.Go 3 Dynamic
-
Chatenet CH30
See also
References
- ^ OICA: Production Statistics
- ^ ISBN 0910589534
- ^ a b RITA. Table 1-23: World Motor Vehicle Production, Selected Countries
- ^ a b La production automobile mondiale, des quatre continents et des principaux pays constructeurs, 1898-2016
- ^ a b IMF Auto Report 2000
- ^ a b UNIVERSIDAD AUTONOMA METROPOLITANA UNIDAD El sector automotriz Mexicano ante el tratado de libre comercio de america del norte, 1994[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b Michigan Statistical Abstract 1996. Table XIV-1
- ^ Thevenet, Jean-Paul, ed. (January 1977). "30 jours d'automobile" [30 days of the automobile]. L'Automobile (in French) (367). Neuilly, France: Societé des Editions Techniques et Touristiques de France: 5.
- ^ "This Just In: Model T Gets Award", James G. Cobb, The New York Times, December 24, 1999
- ^ "1955 Citroen DS – The Most Beautiful Car of All Time". Motorcities.com. Archived from the original on 2009-09-08. Retrieved 2009-07-09.
- ^ car history 4u http://www.carhistory4u.com/the-last-100-years/car-manufacturers-by-country/france Archived 2011-10-02 at the Wayback Machine
- ISBN 978-2-0801-3901-6.
- ^ a b "Automobilia". Toutes les voitures françaises 1934 (Salon [Oct] 1933). Nr. 22. Paris: Histoire & collections: 6. 2002.
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has extra text (help) - ^ "Automobilia". Toutes les voitures françaises 1937 (Salon [Oct] 1936). Nr. 3. Paris: Histoire & collections: 8. 2002.
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has extra text (help) - ISBN 3-613-02170-6.
- ^ Institut national de la statistique et des etudes economiques http://www.insee.fr/fr/themes/tableau.asp?reg_id=0&ref_id=NATTEF11105
- The Complete Encyclopedia of Motorcars 1885 to the Present Edited by G.N. Georgano; 1968; E.P. Dutton and Company; New York, NY
External links
- The French Automotive Industry - Analysis and Statistics 2010 Comite des Constructeurs Francais d'Automobiles http://www.ccfa.fr/publications/analyse-statistiques/edition-2010.html
- PSA Peugeot Citroën history - company website https://web.archive.org/web/20110807025822/http://www.psa-peugeot-citroen.com/document/publication/history_group1083692907.pdf
- Renault history - company website http://www.renault.com/en/groupe/chiffres-cles/pages/dates-cles.aspx
Further reading
- Laux, James Michael. In first gear: The French automobile industry to 1914. McGill-Queen's University Press. 1976. ISBN 978-0-7735-0264-2
- Stobbs, William. Les grandes routières: France's classic grand tourers. Motorbooks International. 1990 ISBN 978-0-87938-484-5
- Loubet, Jean-Louise. Histoire de l'automobile francaise. Seuil. ISBN 978-2-02-037618-1