A-Z Of Marques No 60: Renault

The marque: One of the oldest in the business. Born France, 1898.

The history: At the end of the 19th century, Louis Renault manufactured his first car, a De Dion engined model with a 273cc engine. With his two brothers, Marcel and Fernand, he founded Renault Fréres at Billancourt, Seine.

At first, the company specialised in a large range of cars all with two-cylinder engines. Taxis were a notable part of the output and saw service on the Marne in the First World War, along with London omnibuses. A straight eight followed in 1929, the 7.1-litre Reinastella.

Renault was nationalised by the French government following the Second World War after the former organisation had collaborated with the Germans.

The Regié Nationale des Usines Renault began a series of highly successful small cars from the 4CV, through the Dauphine, to the Renault 4, Renault 5 and Clio that underpinned its long-term success.

The Espace, which was launched in 1984, created a new market sector. The failed 1970s alliance with American Motors was replaced by a fruitful Nissan partnership and more daring designs.

Defining model: Renault 4.

They say: Createur d' Automobiles.

We say: Shakes a little.