1898-1918: A leading industrial firm comes into being

1877: Louis Renault is born.

1898: First Renault Voiturette, fitted with direct-drive transmission, the type A.

1899: Renault Freres is founded by Louis’ two brothers, Marcel and Fernand.

1900: The world’s first saloon arrives in the market, the type B.

1902: Renault produces its first engine and files a patent for the first turbo.

1903: The sales network expands and the first subsidiaries are set up outside France.

1905: Renault takes orders for 250 taxis in Paris and for exports to London, New York and Buenos Aires. The firm starts mass production.

1909: Following the death of Louis Renault’s two brothers, Renault Freres becomes Société des Automobiles Louis Renault.

1913: The factory has almost 5,000 employees. The first strike takes place, in protest against the principles of Taylorism.

1914-18: Renault contributes to the war effort, supplying trucks, ambulances, aircraft engines and the FT 17, the first light machine-gun tank.


1918-1929: The roaring twenties set the stage for success

1921-29: Years of great creativity.
Diversified production: Passenger cars and commercial vehicles, boat and aircraft engines, motor units etc.
The 10CV and 40CV enjoys great success.
Around thirty subsidiaries are set up in other countries.

1922: Renault becomes Société Anonyme des Usines Renault. The first assembly line is set up.

1927: Renault starts naming its cars.

1929-1945: Lost Illusions

1929: Renault moves to Billancourt. After the stock market crash, rigorous management and diversified production are the order of the day.

1936: The Front Populaire wins the elections in France; Renault symbolizes the struggle to improve worker's rights. Production reaches a record-beating 61,146 vehicles but the company makes its first major net loss.

1937: The Juvaquatre is launched.

1939-44: The Billancourt factory is occupied by the Germans and forced to repair French tanks requisitioned by the Germans. Louis Renault dies in 1944.


1945-1955: Renault, a company owned by France

1945: The French government nationalizes Renault. Pierre Lefaucheux takes over the management of Régie Nationale des Usines Renault.

1946: Launch of the 4CV, an eminently popular car.

1952-55: Renault expands outside France and in its colonial markets; Pierre Dreyfus is appointed to head the company.

1955-1975: A company in the throes of change.

1955: Pierre Lefaucheux dies in a road accident and is replaced by Pierre Dreyfus.

1956-60: The Dauphine replaces the 4CV. It's failure in the US leads to an industrial, financial and social crisis.

1964-1970: The Renault 8 Gordini enjoys great sporting success.

May 1968: Renault is the barometer for workers protests in France. After a 33-day strike, wages are increased and the working week is cut by one hour.

1972-73: The R5 makes its debut, and goes on to account for 60% of sales after the first oil shock.


1975-1986: Euphoria and shock

1975: Managed by Bernard Vernier-Palliez. Renault now comprises of the state-owned Régie (104,000 employees) and the subsidiaries set up through diversification (118,500 employees).

1976: Founding of Renault Sport.

1980: Renault is Europe’s leading vehicle manufacturer.

1981-84: Bernard Hanon becomes President of Renault. An alliance is set up with US manufacturer AMC. Despite losses, the Group launches the R25, the Super-Cinq and more particularly – Espace.

1985-1986: The company is facing bankruptcy. President Georges Besse introduces a policy of simplicity and diversification. “Action Directe”, a group of left-wing fanatics, assassinates him. Raymond-HaimLévy takes his place.

1987-1992: Renaissance

1987: Renault is back in the black with profits of FF 3.7 billion.

1989: Renault posts a profit of almost FF 9 billion and makes its return to F1.

1990: An alliance is announced with Volvo, but the news does not go down well in Sweden.

1991: Clio makes its debut and is voted Car of the Year. Renault is Germany’s leading importer.

1989-1992: Major reforms are carried out to cut workforce numbers, limit production and modernize the plants and network.


1992-2005: A new identity for Renault

1992: The Billancourt plant closes. Louis Schweitzer becomes the President of Renault.

1992-1997: Renault takes six consecutive F1 world championship titles. Twingo, Mégane and Laguna arrive in the market.

1994: The proposed merger with Volvo falls through. The French government opens Renault outside the capital.

1996: Renault is privatized. The Group extends its presence in Brazil, Argentina and Turkey.

1997: The Vilvoorde plant is closed down. Renault withdraws from F1. Scénic is Car of the Year.

1998: Renault celebrates its centenary with the slogan “Renault, 100 years of driving innovation”. The Guyancourt Technocentre opens its doors.

1999: Renault signs an Alliance with Nissan and takes over Romania’s Dacia.

2000: Renault becomes the main shareholder of Volvo (20%). A new entity is set up, "Renault Samsung Motors".

2001: Renault acquires the Benetton team and returns to F1.

2003: The Renault-Nissan Alliance is the world’s fourth largest vehicle manufacturer.

2005-2008: Renault Commitment 2009

2005: Carlos Ghosn replaces Louis Schweitzer.

2006: Presentation of Renault Commitment 2009.

2008: Initiatives to promote electric vehicles: Partnerships with Project
Better Place and EDF, Presentation of a Scénic prototype powered by a fuel cell and the concept car Z.E. Concept (for Zero Emission).