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 Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...

and

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

). It had consistently been the 4th-largest from the end of

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

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 Peugeot (, , ) is a French brand of automobiles owned by Stellantis. The family business that preceded the current Peugeot companies was founded in 1810, with a steel foundry that soon started making hand tools and kitchen equipment, and the ...

, Citroën, DS and Opel/Vauxhall marques which were originally part of the

PSA Group The PSA Group (), legally known as Peugeot S.A. (Peugeot Société Anonyme, trading as Groupe PSA; formerly known as PSA Peugeot Citroën from 1991 to 2016) was a French multinational automotive manufacturing company which produced automobiles ...

) * Renault Group (owner of the

Renault Groupe Renault ( , , , also known as the Renault Group in English; legally Renault S.A.) is a French multinational automobile manufacturer established in 1899. The company produces a range of cars and vans, and in the past has manufacture ...

Alpine Alpine may refer to any mountainous region. It may also refer to: Places Europe * Alps, a European mountain range ** Alpine states, which overlap with the European range Australia * Alpine, New South Wales, a Northern Village * Alpine National Pa ...

Dacia Dacia (, ; ) was the land inhabited by the Dacians, its core in Transylvania, stretching to the Danube in the south, the Black Sea in the east, and the Tisza in the west. The Carpathian Mountains were located in the middle of Dacia. It ...

Renault Samsung Motors Renault Korea Motors ( ko, 르노코리아자동차), is a South Korean car manufacturer headquartered in Busan where its single assembly site is also located, with additional facilities at Seoul (administration), Giheung (research and developm ...

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: * Bugatti, a

luxury Luxury may refer to: * Luxury goods, an economic good or service for which demand increases more than proportionally as income rises *Luxury tax, tax on products not considered essential, such as expensive cars **Luxury tax (sports), surcharge pu ...

marque of the

Volkswagen Group Volkswagen AG (), known internationally as the Volkswagen Group, is a German multinational automotive manufacturer headquartered in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, Germany. The company designs, manufactures and distributes passenger and commercial ...

headquartered in

Molsheim Molsheim () is a commune and a subprefecture in the Bas-Rhin department in Grand Est in north-eastern France.

. * Venturi, a small

sports car A sports car is a car designed with an emphasis on dynamic performance, such as handling, acceleration, top speed, the thrill of driving and racing capability. Sports cars originated in Europe in the early 1900s and are currently produced by ...

manufacturer and Formula E team sponsor. *

Aixam Aixam-Mega is a French automobile manufacturer based in Aix-les-Bains, Savoie. It was founded in 1983 to make microcars following the acquisition of Arola. On 11 April 2013, US based Polaris Industries announced that it had acquired Aixam-Mega ...

and

Mega Mega or MEGA may refer to: Science * mega-, a metric prefix denoting 106 * Mega (number), a certain very large integer in Steinhaus–Moser notation * "mega-" a prefix meaning "large" that is used in taxonomy * Gravity assist, for ''Moon-Eart ...

microcar Microcar is a term often used for the smallest size of cars, with three or four wheels and often an engine smaller than . Specific types of microcars include bubble cars, cycle cars, invacar, quadricycles and voiturettes. Microcars are oft ...

marques of

Polaris Industries Polaris Inc. is an American automotive manufacturer of RZR, motorcycles, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, and neighborhood electric vehicles headquartered in Medina, Minnesota, United States. Polaris was founded in Roseau, Minnesota, where ...

headquartered in

Aix-les-Bains Aix-les-Bains (, ; frp, Èx-los-Bens; la, Aquae Gratianae), locally simply Aix, is a commune in the southeastern French department of Savoie.

. *

Microcar Microcar is a term often used for the smallest size of cars, with three or four wheels and often an engine smaller than . Specific types of microcars include bubble cars, cycle cars, invacar, quadricycles and voiturettes. Microcars are oft ...

and

Ligier Ligier (() is a French automobile and minibus maker created by former racing driver and rugby player Guy Ligier (1930–2015), specialized in the manufacturing of microcars. Ligier is best known for its involvement in the Formula 1 World Champ ...

, microcar marques of DrivePlanet headquartered in

Abrest Abrest (; oc, Abrèt) is a commune in the Allier department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of central France. The commune is one of the 37 communes in the urban area of Vichy and is also part of Vichy Auvergne countryside. Its inhabitants ...

. The France-based

Renault Trucks Renault Trucks is a French commercial truck manufacturer with corporate headquarters at Saint-Priest near Lyon. Originally part of Renault, it has been a subsidiary of the Volvo Group since 2001. From its beginnings in 1978 to 2002, the comp ...

is a major producer of commercial vehicles and is owned by

Volvo The Volvo Group ( sv, Volvokoncernen; legally Aktiebolaget Volvo, shortened to AB Volvo, stylized as VOLVO) is a Swedish multinational manufacturing corporation headquartered in Gothenburg. While its core activity is the production, distributio ...

. 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. French-designed cars have won the European Car of the Year and

World Car of the Year The World Car Awards (formerly World Car of the Year, WCOTY) is a group of automobile ''Car of the Year'' awards selected by a jury of 82 international automotive journalists from 24 countries. Cars considered must be sold in at least five countr ...

awards numerous times. The

Citroën DS The Citroën DS () is a front mid-engined, front-wheel drive executive car manufactured and marketed by Citroën from 1955 to 1975, in fastback/sedan, wagon/estate, and convertible body configurations, across three series of one generation. ...

took third place in

Car of the Century The Car of the Century (COTC) is an international award that was given to the world's most influential car of the 20th century. The election process was overseen by the Global Automotive Elections Foundation. The winner, the Ford Model T, was anno ...

award and has been named the most beautiful car of all time by ''

Classic & Sports Car ''Classic & Sports Car'' is a British monthly magazine based in Twickenham, London, and published by Haymarket Media Group. It was launched in April 1982 and concerns itself with classic cars as well as the people involved in their design and sub ...

'' magazine."This Just In: Model T Gets Award"
James G. Cobb, ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid d ...

'', December 24, 1999

18th and 19th centuries

1769 -

Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot (26 February 1725 – 2 October 1804) was a French inventor who built the world's first full-size and working self-propelled mechanical land-vehicle, the "Fardier à vapeur" – effectively the world's first automobile. B ...

builds the first self-propelled mechanical vehicle. 1807 -

François Isaac de Rivaz François Isaac de Rivaz (Paris, December 19, 1752 – Sion, July 30, 1828) was a French-born Swiss inventor and a politician. He invented a hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine with electric ignition and described it in a French paten ...

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 Amédée-Ernest Bollée (11 January 1844 – 20 January 1917) was a French bellfounder and inventor who specialized in steam cars. After 1867 he was known as "Amédée père" to distinguish him from his similarly named son, Amédée-Ernest- ...

begins manufacturing steam-powered vehicles. 1887 -

Léon Serpollet Léon Serpollet (4 October 1858 – 1 February 1907) was a French engineer and developer of flash steam boilers and steam automobiles. Léon Serpollet was born in Culoz, in the Ain department of France in 1859, son of the carpenter August ...

begins building steam-powered vehicles. 1887 -

Panhard et Levassor Panhard was a French motor vehicle manufacturer that began as one of the first makers of automobiles. It was a manufacturer of light tactical and military vehicles. Its final incarnation, now owned by Renault Trucks Defense, was formed b ...

established as a car manufacturing concern by René Panhard and

Émile Levassor Émile Constant Levassor (21 January 1843 – 14 April 1897) was a French engineer and a pioneer of the automobile industry and car racing in France. Biography Levassor was born in Marolles-en-Hurepoix. After studying engineering and graduatin ...

, with the first car produced in 1891. 1890 -

Armand Peugeot Armand Peugeot (; 18 February 1849 – 4 February 1915) was an industrialist in France, pioneer of the automobile industry and the man who transformed Peugeot into a manufacturer of bicycles and, later, of automobiles. He was accepted into the Au ...

produces a four-wheeled car powered by a Daimler gasoline fueled internal combustion engine. 1894 - Albert de Dion and Georges Bouton produce a single cylinder gasoline-powered engine and in 1898 produced a four-wheeler. They had previously built steam-powered vehicles beginning in 1883. 1894 -

Delahaye Delahaye was a family-owned automobile manufacturing company, founded by Émile Delahaye in 1894 in Tours, France. Manufacturing was moved to Paris following incorporation with two unrelated brothers-in-law as equal partners in 1898. The compa ...

is founded by Emile Delahaye. The company is bought by

Hotchkiss et Cie Société Anonyme des Anciens Etablissements Hotchkiss et Compagnie was a French arms and, in the 20th century, automobile manufacturer first established by United States gunsmith Benjamin B. Hotchkiss. He moved to France and set up a factory, ...

in 1954 and discontinues auto production. 1896 -

starts to build and fit his own engines to his cars. 1896 -

Léon Bollée Léon Bollée (1 April 1870 – 16 December 1913) was a French automobile manufacturer and inventor. Life Bollée's family were well known bellfounders and his father, Amédée Bollée (1844–1917), was the major pioneer in the automobile i ...

builds gasoline-powered cars. Renault Type A Phaeton 1899

1903 Beliet 20CV Demi Limousine IMG 0796 - Flickr - nemor2

Paris - RM auctions - 20150204 - Avions Voisin C3 Cabriolet Transformable by Rothschild et Fils - 1925 - 005

1898 - The

brothers,

Louis Louis may refer to: * Louis (coin) * Louis (given name), origin and several individuals with this name * Louis (surname) * Louis (singer), Serbian singer * HMS ''Louis'', two ships of the Royal Navy See also Derived or associated terms * Lewis ( ...

, Marcel and Fernand, sell their first car.

1900 to 1950

Paris - Retromobile 2012 - Bugatti type 57SC Atlantic - 1936 - 001

1939 Delahaye Type 165 Cabriolet (19636758341)

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. 1903 -

is founded. The company is bought by

in 1950, but discontinues auto production by 1955. 1905 - Delage is founded by Louis Delage. Company is bought by

in 1935 but ceases auto production in 1954. 1910 -

Ettore Bugatti Ettore Arco Isidoro Bugatti (15 September 1881 – 21 August 1947) was an Italian-born French automobile designer and manufacturer. He is remembered as the founder and proprietor of the automobile manufacturing company Automobiles E. Bugatti, wh ...

started the Bugatti company in

Molsheim Molsheim () is a commune and a subprefecture in the Bas-Rhin department in Grand Est in north-eastern France.

(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 -

Avions Voisin Avions Voisin was a French luxury automobile brand established by Gabriel Voisin in 1919 which traded until 1939. History Gabriel B. Voisin was an aviation pioneer and manufacturer who in 1919 started producing cars using Knight-type sl ...

is founded by

Gabriel Voisin Gabriel Voisin (5 February 1880 – 25 December 1973) was a French aviation pioneer and the creator of Europe's first manned, engine-powered, heavier-than-air aircraft capable of a sustained (1 km), circular, controlled flight, which was made ...

. Production ceases in 1939. After the war, Voisin designed a microcar, the Biscuter. 1919 - Citroën founded by Andre Citroën. 1920 - Darracq (founded 1896) merges with Sunbeam and Talbot, creating what eventually became

Talbot-Lago Talbot-Lago was a French automobile manufacturer based in Suresnes, Hauts de Seine, outside Paris. The company was owned and managed by Antonio Lago, an Italian engineer that acquired rights to the Talbot brand name after the demise of Darracq ...

in 1935. Company is bought by

Simca Simca (; Mechanical and Automotive Body Manufacturing Company) was a French automaker, founded in November 1934 by Fiat S.p.A. and directed from July 1935 to May 1963 by Italian Henri Pigozzi. Simca was affiliated with Fiat and, after Simca bough ...

in 1959. 1921 -

Amilcar The Amilcar was a French automobile manufactured from 1921 to 1940. History Foundation and location Amilcar was founded in July 1921 by Joseph Lamy and Emile Akar. The name "Amilcar" was an imperfect anagram of the partners' names. The b ...

is founded. The company merges with

in 1937 and ceases production in 1939. 1921 -

Salmson Salmson is a French engineering company. Initially a pump manufacturer, it turned to automobile and aeroplane manufacturing in the 20th century, returning to pump manufacturing in the 1960s, and re-expanded to a number of products and services ...

begins auto production. In 1957 the company is bought by

. 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

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposi ...

. 1933 - With French passenger car production at 140,635 units, France lost its place as Europe's top automobile producer to

Great Britain Great Britain is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of continental Europe. With an area of , it is the largest of the British Isles, the largest European island and the ninth-largest island in the world. It i ...

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. 1934 -

established by

Henri Pigozzi Henri Théodore Pigozzi (born Enrico Teodoro Pigozzi; 26 June 1898, in Turin – 18 November 1964, in Neuilly-sur-Seine) was a car merchant and industrialist who is best known for having founded Société Industrielle de Mécanique et Carrosserie A ...

to build Fiat cars. 1934 - Citroën introduces the

Traction Avant Traction may refer to: Engineering *Forces: ** Traction (engineering), adhesive friction or force ** Traction vector, in mechanics, the force per unit area on a surface, including normal and shear components * Traction motor, an electric motor ...

, featuring front wheel drive and unitary construction. Citroën becomes bankrupt and is taken over by the

Michelin Tire Company Michelin (; ; full name: ) is a French multinational tyre manufacturing company based in Clermont-Ferrand in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes ''région'' of France. It is the second largest tyre manufacturer in the world behind Bridgestone and larg ...

. 1934 -

Matford Matford was a French automotive manufacturer established as a joint venture in 1934 by local firm Mathis and US-based Ford Motor Company. The name ''Matford'' derived from both companies' names. The company ceased activities in 1940. Overview ...

begins building Ford cars, but ceases in 1939. In 1947, the company is reorganized as

Ford SAF Ford France (formerly, Ford SAF, Ford Société Anonyme Française) is the French subsidiary of the American automaker Ford Motor Company, which existed under various names between 1916 and 1954, when Ford sold the manufacturing business to Simca. ...

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 Keynesian economics ( ; sometimes Keynesianism, named after British economist John Maynard Keynes) are the various macroeconomic theories and models of how aggregate demand (total spending in the economy) strongly influences economic output an ...

approach to "fiscal stimulus". In 1936 France fell from second to third place among Europe's auto-producing nations, recording production of 204,000 cars, while Germany's production amounted to 213,117 passenger cars. 1945 -

becomes state owned and is called “Régie nationale des usines Renault (RNUR)”. 1945 - The Pons Plan reflected government determination to structure the French auto-industry according to priorities identified by politicians and civil servants. A select group of auto manufacturers is favored. A punitive

fiscal horsepower The tax horsepower or taxable horsepower was an early system by which taxation rates for automobiles were reckoned in some European countries such as Britain, Belgium, Germany, France and Italy; some US states like Illinois charged license plate pu ...

tax is imposed on larger engines leading to the demise of most of the Grandes Routières such as Bugatti, Delage,

and

by the mid-1950s. 1946 -

introduces the

Renault 4CV The Renault 4CV (french: quatre chevaux, as if spelled ''quat'chevaux'') is a rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive, 4-door economy supermini manufactured and marketed by the French manufacturer Renault from August 1947 through July 1961. It was the fi ...

model. 1948 - Citroën introduces the

Citroën 2CV The Citroën 2CV (french: link=no, deux chevaux(-vapeur), , lit. "two steam horse(power)s", meaning "two ''taxable'' horsepower") is an air-cooled front-engine, front-wheel-drive, economy family car, introduced at the 1948 Paris Mondial d ...

model, a small front-wheel drive saloon marketed as a "people's car" in the same vein as Germany's

Volkswagen Beetle The Volkswagen Beetle—officially the Volkswagen Type 1, informally in German (meaning "beetle"), in parts of the English-speaking world the Bug, and known by many other nicknames in other languages—is a two-door, rear-engine economy car, ...

. 1948 -

introduces the

Peugeot 203 The Peugeot 203 is a small family car which was produced by the French car manufacturer Peugeot between 1948 and 1960. The car was exhibited at the Paris Motor Show in 1947, but by then had already been under development for more than five years. ...

model.

1950 to 2000

1961 Facel Vega Excellence EX1, front right (Greenwich 2019)

1954 -

Facel Vega Facel S.A. was a French manufacturer of pressed steel automobile components, later complete automobiles of their own design. To intensify its World War II war effort, French subcontracting company for military aeronautics Bronzavia created a s ...

established. 1954 -

acquires

. 1955 - Citroën introduces the

model, equipped with disk brakes and self-leveling suspension. 1955 -

Alpine (car maker) The Société des Automobiles Alpine SAS, commonly known as Alpine (), is a French manufacturer of racing and sports cars established in 1955. The Alpine car marque was created in 1954. Jean Rédélé, the founder of Alpine, was originally a ...

is founded by

Jean Rédélé Jean Rédélé (17 May 1922, Dieppe, Seine-Maritime – 10 August 2007 Paris), was an automotive pioneer, pilot and founder of the French automotive brand Alpine. With a HEC diploma, he was the youngest Renault dealer in France, with a dealershi ...

and develops a series of sports cars. Launch of the

, flagship saloon car in the Citroën range. Citroen DS blue

1957 - End of Citroën Traction Avant production after 23 years. 1960 - Launch of the

Peugeot 404 The Peugeot 404 is a large family car produced by French automobile manufacturer Peugeot from 1960 to 1975. A truck body style variant was marketed until 1988. Styled by Pininfarina, the 404 was offered initially as a saloon, estate, and pickup ...

saloon models. 1961 - Launch of the

Renault 4 The Renault 4, also known as the 4L (pronounced "Quatrelle" in French), is a small economy car produced by the French automaker Renault between 1961 and 1994. Although the Renault 4 was marketed as a short station wagon, its minimal rear overhang ...

, a small estate car which is aimed at the lower end of the market dominated in France by the

, as well as foreign competitors like the

and BMC's new

Mini The Mini is a small, two-door, four-seat car, developed as ADO15, and produced by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) and its successors, from 1959 through 2000. Minus a brief hiatus, original Minis were built for four decades and sold during ...

. 1963 - American automotive giant Chrysler takes a 63% ownership stake in

. 1964 - Closure of Facel Vega after just 10 years of car production due financial problems. 1965 -

Matra Matra (an acronym for Mécanique Aviation Traction) was a French industrial conglomerate. During its years of operation, it was engaged in a wide range of business activities, primarily focused around automobiles, bicycles, aeronautics and w ...

begins automobile production. Citroën takes over

Panhard Panhard was a French motor vehicle manufacturer that began as one of the first makers of automobiles. It was a manufacturer of light tactical and military vehicles. Its final incarnation, now owned by Renault Trucks Defense, was formed ...

, phasing out the marque on passenger cars. The

Renault 16 The Renault 16 (R16) is a D-segment family hatchback produced by French automaker Renault between 1965 and 1980 in Le Havre, France. The Renault 16 was the first French winner of the European Car of the Year award. Market placement In the early 19 ...

, 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.

launches the

504 __NOTOC__ Year 504 (DIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Nicomachus without colleague (or, less frequently, year 1257 ...

, 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 Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical ...

1970 - Citroën introduces the

Citroën SM The Citroën SM is a high-performance coupé produced by the French manufacturer Citroën from 1970 to 1975. The SM placed third in the 1971 European Car of the Year contest, trailing its stablemate Citroën GS, and won the 1972 ''Motor Trend' ...

, 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 __NOTOC__ Year 180 ( CLXXX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Rusticus and Condianus (or, less frequently, year 933 '' Ab ...

. 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

104 104 may refer to: *104 (number), a natural number *AD 104, a year in the 2nd century AD * 104 BC, a year in the 2nd century BC * 104 (MBTA bus), Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority bus route * Hundred and Four (or Council of 104), a Carthagin ...

, which is launched two years after the original saloon. 1975 - The

Simca 1307 The Simca 1307 is a large family car produced by Chrysler Europe and subsequently PSA Peugeot Citröen from 1975 to 1986. Codenamed 'C6' in development, the car was styled in the United Kingdom by Roy Axe and his team at Whitley, and the car wa ...

(sold in Britain as the

Chrysler Alpine Alpine may refer to any mountainous region. It may also refer to: Places Europe * Alps, a European mountain range ** Alpine states, which overlap with the European range Australia * Alpine, New South Wales, a Northern Village * Alpine National Pa ...

) is launched and is voted European Car of the Year, making use of a hatchback bodystyle and front-wheel drive. Citroën is saved from collapse by merging into Peugeot.

moves into the luxury car market with its 20/30 range, which unusually for this sector of car features a hatchback and front-wheel drive. Launch of the Citroën LN, which features a 652cc two-cylinder engine and a three-door hatchback based on the Peugeot 104. The last Citroën DS is built after 20 years and more than 1.4 million sales worldwide. 1976 - Renault launches a new small family hatchback model, the R14, which is similar in concept to the

Volkswagen Golf The Volkswagen Golf () is a compact car/small family car (C-segment) produced by the German automotive manufacturer Volkswagen since 1974, marketed worldwide across eight generations, in various body configurations and under various nameplates ...

from

West Germany West Germany is the colloquial term used to indicate the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG; german: Bundesrepublik Deutschland , BRD) between its formation on 23 May 1949 and the German reunification through the accession of East Germany on 3 O ...

. 1978 -

PSA Peugeot Citroën The PSA Group (), legally known as Peugeot S.A. (Peugeot Société Anonyme, trading as Groupe PSA; formerly known as PSA Peugeot Citroën from 1991 to 2016) was a French multinational automotive manufacturing company which produced automobiles ...

takes over Chrysler’s European division, the former Rootes Group in Britain and

in France. Shortly before the sale is completed, the new Chrysler Horizon, Horizon mid-sized hatchback is voted European Car of the Year. Launch of the Renault 18 saloons and estates, which feature front-wheel drive and will eventually replace the long-running R12 models.

begins financial involvement with American Motors. Citroën launches the Citroën Visa, Visa, a small five-door hatchback. Peugeot launches the Peugeot 305, 305 saloon, which will eventually replace the smaller Peugeot 304, 304. 1979 - Peugeot launches the Peugeot 505, 505 saloon, replacement for the 504, which will remain in production for a few years in Europe. The Simca marque is discontinued after 45 years by the company's new owner Peugeot, who revive the Talbot (automobile), Talbot badge for the entire former Chrysler Europe model range. The Citroën GS is updated after nine years to become the GSA, and gains a hatchback. 1980 - Demise of the Renault 12 after 11 years in production and the

after 15 years. New to the Renault range is the Renault Fuego coupe, which is similar in size and price to cars like the Ford Capri. Peugeot launches the Talbot Solara, a saloon version of the Alpine hatchback, and a new flagship saloon, the Talbot Tagora, Tagora, which was actually developed by Chrysler as a replacement for the Chrysler 180, 180/2 litre models. 1981 - The Renault 9, a small family saloon, is voted European Car of the Year on its launch. Launch of the Talbot Samba, a reworked version of the Peugeot 104, which is built at the former Simca factory in Poissy. 1982 - Citroën launches the Citroën BX, which will eventually replace the smaller GSA. 1983 - Peugeot launches the new Peugeot 205, 205 supermini, styled by Italy, Italian designer Pininfarina. Renault has a new competitor in the mid-sized hatchback sector with the new Renault 11, 11. French production of the Peugeot 504 ends after 15 years. At the end of the year, Renault replaces its 20/30 flagship models with the R25. Renault Espace First Iteration Blois 1984

Renault Espace First Iteration Blois 1984

1984 - Renault launches the Renault Espace, 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 - Georges Besse, Chairman of

, is murdered by the communist terrorist group Action directe (armed group), Action Directe. End of Talbot Samba and Alpine production, as Peugeot begins to phase out the Talbot brand, which will be retained for commercial vehicles only. Renault replaces the Renault 18, 18 saloon and estate with the Renault 21 saloon and Nevada/Savanna seven-seater estate. French production and sales of the

finish after 25 years, but it is set to continue production in Argentina until the early 1990s. The Citroën GS/GSA is finally discontinued after 16 years in production. 1987 - Peugeot launches the Peugeot 405, 405, also built in Britain, which is voted European Car of the Year. Citroën has a new entrant in the supermini market with its Citroën AX, AX. A year after the end of French and British production, the last Talbot Horizon models are built in

and Finland, signalling the end of the Talbot brand on passenger cars. 1988 -

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 Renault 19, R19. Launch of the Peugeot 405 in estate form. 1989 - The Citroën CX saloon is discontinued after 15 years and replaced by the Citroën XM, 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 -

partly replaces its hugely popular 205 with the slightly smaller Peugeot 106, 106, while Citroën re-enters the medium-sized hatchback market with its Citroën ZX, 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 Peugeot 106, 106. 1992 -

establishes joint venture with Dongfeng Motor Corporation in China.

enters the city car market with the Renault Twingo, Twingo, which is only built for left-hand drive markets. Renault replaces the eight-year-old R25 with the Renault Safrane, Safrane as its new top-of-the-range model. 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 Citroën Xantia, 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 Renault Laguna, 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 Renault Mégane, Mégane, a medium-sized range of hatchbacks, saloons, coupes, cabriolets and estates. Renault also launches an estate version of the Laguna to replace the Renault Nevada, Nevada/Savanna. Launch of the Eurovans, Eurovan, a venture between PSA and Fiat, which will be sold as an MPV with Peugeot, Citroën, Fiat and Lancia badges. Peugeot replaces the long-running and hugely successful Peugeot 405, 405 with the Peugeot 406, 406, although it is initially only sold as a saloon. 1996 -

is privatized and its new Renault Scénic, 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 Citroën Saxo, Saxo, which replaces the AX. Peugeot re-enters the coupe market after more than a decade away with the 406 Coupe. 1997 - Smart (automobile), Smart assembly plant opened in Hambach, Moselle by German carmaker Mercedes-Benz to produce two-seater microcars. Peugeot's 406 range is completed with the launch of an estate model. 1998 - Volkswagen AG obtains the rights to the Bugatti name. They later build an auto plant in

Molsheim Molsheim () is a commune and a subprefecture in the Bas-Rhin department in Grand Est in north-eastern France.

which will later produce the Bugatti Veyron. Demise of the Peugeot 205 after 15 years. Its replacement is the 206, which is built in both France and Britain. 1999 -

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 Xsara Picasso, Citroën Picasso, a compact MPV similar in the style to the Renault Scénic, which is based on the floorpan of the Citroën Xsara, 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 to present

2000 -

buys 70% of South Korean Samsung Motors and forms a new subsidiary

(now 80% owned). Launch of the Renault Laguna II, which is one of the first mass-produced cars in the world to feature keyless entry and ignition. 2001 - Toyota builds its Western European assembly line for the Toyota Yaris in Valenciennes. Peugeot's new Peugeot 307, replacement for the long-running Peugeot 306, 306, is voted European Car of the Year. 2001 -

is sold to AB Volvo. 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 Republic, 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 -

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 Slovakia. Peugeot replaces its Peugeot 407, 407 and Peugeot 607, 607 saloons with a single model, the Peugeot 508, 508. Launch of the second generation Citroën C4 family hatchback, which also spawns a more luxurious version called the Citroën DS4, DS4. 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:OICA
Production Statistics
/ref>Ward's: ''World Motor Vehicle Data 2007''. Wards Communications, Southfield MI 2007, RITA

/ref>La production automobile mondiale, des quatre continents et des principaux pays constructeurs, 1898-2016
/ref>IMF Auto Report 2000
/ref>UNIVERSIDAD AUTONOMA METROPOLITANA UNIDAD El sector automotriz Mexicano ante el tratado de libre comercio de america del norte, 1994
/ref>''Michigan Statistical Abstract 1996''. Table XIV-1
/ref>Institut national de la statistique et des etudes economiques http://www.insee.fr/fr/themes/tableau.asp?reg_id=0&ref_id=NATTEF11105 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.

Gallery

AndreCitroen.jpg, André Citroën File:Bellanger 1921.JPG, Bellanger (automobile), Bellanger 24 CV Type A1 (1921) Renault Nervasport (Type ZC 2) Cabriolet 1934.jpg, Renault Nervasport (1932) File:Peugeot Elyséo 125, Sondermodell 'Roland Garros' (2002).JPG, Peugeot Elyséo 125, 'Roland Garros' (2002) File:2019 DS DS3 Crossback Performance Line PureTech 1.2 Front.jpg, DS 3 Crossback File:CitroenC-Metisse9.JPG, Citroën C-Métisse File:Microcar M.GO Dynamic (MSP15).JPG,

M.Go 3 Dynamic File:Chatenet CH30 - przód (MSP15).JPG, Automobiles Chatenet, Chatenet CH30 File:Geneva Auto Salon 2017 (33350620001).jpg, Alpine A110 (2017) File:Renault, Paris Motor Show 2018, Paris (1Y7A1678).jpg, Renault Talisman

References

*''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

18th and 19th centuries

1900 to 1950

1950 to 2000

2000 to present

Production data

Gallery

See also

References

External links

Further reading