France is the birthplace of the automotive industry. It was here in the 18th century that the first vehicle called Cugno's steam cart appeared. Now the French auto industry is in 13th place in the world in the production of cars, and in Europe it is in 3rd place after Germany and Spain. French-made cars are renowned for their stylish design, variety and good value for money. The range of manufacturers includes both budget models and extra-class cars. You can rent representatives of the French car industry from Narscars.
A brief history of the formation of the french automotive industry
The first prototype of a modern car was invented in France in 1765 by the army captain Nicolas Joseph Cugno. It was a cart powered by steam. She could carry up to 4 passengers and moved at a speed of 9.5 km / h. This invention weighed 2 tons. One ton fell on an oak structure with a boiler, another 1000 kg weighed fuel supply and water. Such a heavy structure was set in motion by 2 people.
There was no further development of this invention, but Cagno's cart marked the beginning of the engineering industry in France.
After the invention of the internal combustion engine, the automotive industry began to develop rapidly throughout the world. France is no exception. Her innovators are Edouard Delamare-Deboutteville and his assistant Leon Malandin. Their car initially ran on gas, but quickly fell into disrepair, so it was decided to use gasoline as fuel. But the creations of these French inventors were short-lived. They broke and exploded while riding, and therefore did not gain much popularity.
The next stage in the development of the French automobile industry is associated with the names of Emile Levassor and Louis-Rene Panavar. At the end of the 19th century they acquired a license for two-cylinder engines from Daimler and became the first French automakers, founding the Panhard et Levassor company.
Now the name of this brand is known only to a few admirers of the French automobile industry, but meanwhile it was Levassor who, for the first time in the history of mechanical engineering, proposed combining rear-wheel drive with front-wheel drive in one car. Cars of the brand "Panhard et Levassor" participated in the competition and were the first to be able to cover a huge distance of more than 1100 km at that time.
Before the Second World War, the company produced high-class cars, but the war made its own adjustments to the purchasing power, so Panhard et Levassor switched to economy class cars. Despite this, car sales did not grow, and in the late 70s the company was absorbed by the well-known concern Citroen.
After Panhard et Levassor, the French auto industry presented the world with many more bright and memorable names, but all of them have already become history. Positions are still held by only 2 major players - PSA Peugeot Citroen and Renault. These concerns also appeared in the 19th century, but they were able not only to continue working in the car industry, but to achieve international fame in this field.
Car brands based in France
To date, there are 2 largest and most famous automakers in France - Peugeot and Renault. Peugeot employs over 50,000 people. The value of its assets is estimated at more than 74 billion USD. It is the second largest car manufacturer in the EU. The company owns 5 well-known car brands:
- Peugeot;
- Citroen;
- DS Automobiles;
- Opel;
- Vauxhall.
Renault has twice as many employees and is valued at almost $100 billion. It is the third largest European car manufacturer. She owns 43% of the Nissan brand. The following brands are wholly owned by the company:
- Renault;
- Alpine;
- Dacia;
- Renault Samsumg Motors.
France also produces components and spare parts for cars. Their largest manufacturer is Valeo.
Iconic French car models
The French automotive industry has given the world many stylish and unforgettable models, but the following 5 representatives of it are most remembered by motorists:
- Renault Megane. This is a bright representative of sports hatchbacks, which first appeared in 1995. This is a comfortable French car for everyday trips, the latest version of which is made in the form of an electric crossover.
- Citroen DS. The popularity of this brand came in the mid-50s. Model DS in those days was considered an executive car and was recognized as one of the most beautiful in the history of the automotive industry.
- Venturi couple. 260 model of this little-known brand was released in a circulation of only 188 pieces. This is a very rare sports car that is popular with collectors. Its highlight is retractable headlights.
- Peugeot 205 GTi. This is the first rally car of this brand, which is equally often used both in sports and in everyday life. It is fast, high-quality and reliable, therefore it is considered the best creation of Peugeot.
- Bugatti Veyron 16.14. This is a fast and luxurious hypercar, which was one of the first to reach speeds over 400 km / h. Its cost exceeds 1.5 million USD.
The Bugatti Type 57CS Atlantic can also be attributed to the iconic French cars. This is a real work of art on wheels, which costs a little more than 40 million USD. Almost all elements of this model are made by hand. It combines unique design and ingenious engineering.
If you are an admirer of the French car industry and want to rent one of its cars, contact Narscars. In our assortment there are the following models produced by the French:
To rent a French car for trips around Ukraine, call Narscars at the numbers listed on the website, or leave a request online.
