Renault Cars

Renault is an auto manufacturer based in France, and it makes cars, trucks, buses, vans, and tractors; in its past, it made railway cars as well. Its alignment with Nissan made it the fourth-largest auto maker in the world, and it also owns the Automobile Dacia and Renault Samsung makes. based in Boulogne-Billancourt, France, Renault is headed by Carlos Ghosn. To date, Renault's most popular cars are the Laguna and the Clio, which are marketed only in Europe. Renault is known for its design philosophy, as well as its motor racing heritage.

Renault has been making cars since the end of 1897, and it was founded by brothers Louis, Fernand and Marcel Renault. Louis was an engineer who had already built a few car models before teaming up with his brothers; he handled the company's production and design chores, while Fernand and Marcel handled the company's management. Renault had an innovative reputation from its first days; it launched one of the first production sedans. In 1899, cars were a luxury- the average worker would have to toil for ten years to afford a Renault.

Renault did not just manufacture passenger vehicles; it made buses and cargo vehicles during the years before WWI. Then, the company started making ammunition, airplanes and tanks. The Renault designs were so successful that Louis Renault was honored by the Allies after war's end. Renault became the biggest car maker in France, and they also exported engines to American auto manufacturers.

The cars Renault has made range from small to large, in different styles, with the number of each model made depending on its size. The company also has made larger chassis for sale to coach builders. The most successful Renault of the 70s was the 5 model; it was immensely popular amid the global energy crisis of 1973. The car remained in production until 1984, being replaced by the Super5.

During the 60s-80s, Renault partnered with Nash Motors and AMC (American Motors Corp.), its successor. Renault has not had a luxury car in its line; many Renaults that made their way to America ended up as taxi cabs. In later years, Renault made a combination of AMC's Rambler American and Classic called the Torino, which was sold in Argentina. The car maker ended up buying AMC in 1980.

In March 1999, Renault signed an alliance with Nissan, which is the first alliance between a French and a Japanese auto company. Currently, Renault has a 44.4% stake in Nissan, who have a non-voting 15% share of Renault.

That partnership, along with the largest electric utility in France, has signed a contract to provide emission-free transportation. The coalition aims to have the first completely electric vehicles on the road en masse in 2011, complete with nationwide battery-charging stations.

Renault has signed similar contracts in a number of locations besides France, such as Denmark, Israel, Portugal, Monaco, and the US states of Tennessee and Oregon.