Renault

Louis Renault and his brothers founded their company in 1898. They quickly made a name for themselves in motor racing notching up a string of wins with their voiturettes. The Renault factories adopted mass production techniques in 1905 and Taylorism in 1913. During the first world war, the company turned out trucks, stretchers, ambulances, shells and even the famous FT17 tanks that made a decisive contribution to the final victory.

Renault considered a merger with Volvo, but the project was dropped in 1993. The privatisation of the company in July 1996 marked a milestone in its history. Taking advantage of its newfound freedom, Renault took a stake in Nissan in 1999. The company continued to innovate and renew its range with vehicles including Mégane and Laguna. Success in Formula 1 raised the Renault brand's profile. The Renault-Nissan Alliance consolidated its structure and continued to develop new synergies. With the acquisition of Samsung Motors and Dacia, Renault accelerated its international expansion. The launch of Logan was a key part of the strategy to win emerging markets.