Five Fun Facts About Renault and Where to Get Their Parts
The French automotive company, Renault, was formed in 1899 and still enjoys a prestigious place in the global automobile market. Known for its durability, reliability, and innovative design, the brand retains many loyal supporters. As such, many Renault owners are on the hunt for quality spare parts, since any car enthusiast knows that their vehicle is only as good as its parts.
Here, we explore five fun facts about the brand and examine why A.S.A.P. Spares is the best place for new and used vehicle parts.
5 Facts about Renault & Why A.S.A.P. Spares is the best place to get car parts
1) Renault Was Created by Three Brothers
The Renault brothers created the famed brand in the 1800s. It was initially the brainchild of the youngest brother, Louis Renault, an astounding 20th-century industrialist. Louis Renault was passionate about technology and had dreams of building machinery. Thanks to his well-to-do family, he gained the funds to do so and soon set up a workshop in 1898 where he built his first car.
To do this, he altered a single-cylinder engine and produced a two-seater vehicle that was later sold to his friend’s father. The car was dubbed the “Renault Voiturette” (meaning the little car), and the name was utilised for five future vehicle models. The Voiturette cars had two seats, and later models came with roofs and more powerful engine designs.
In 1899, Louis teamed up with his older brothers Fernand and Marcel, and the trio formed “Les Frères Renault” (more commonly known as ”The Renault Brothers”).
With headquarters in Billancourt, Paris, the brothers harnessed Louis Renault’s exceptional design skills and the business knowledge of Marcel and Fernand. They created a brand that is still known and celebrated to this day.
2) They Switched Production Efforts During World War I
By the time World War I started in 1914, Renault factories had taken up a whopping 14 acres of land and employed over 4000 personnel. For this reason, it was deemed fitting that they support the war effort and utilise their infrastructure and space in order to bolster France’s position. Renault traded in their automobile construction and switched to military construction, building artillery carriages, artillery shells, and trucks.
The Renault FT-17 tank, created by Louis Renault and a top industrial designer Rodolphe Ernst-Metzmaier was praised for its exceptional design and remained a popular tank model throughout the war. In fact, both French and American forces used the tank during the war effort, once again affirming its technological éclat.
3) They Were Always Ahead of Their Time
Perhaps one of the most impressive things about Renault is its ability to change and adapt to the times. From two-seater automobiles to military tanks, the brand always transformed and expanded as the socio-political landscape changed. The brothers were passionate about technological innovation, with many arguing that they were ahead of their time.
While this did not always equate to commercial prowess or success, it put them on the map as trailblazers in the industrial sector. In 1923, Renault created a specialised prototype with six wheels, created specifically for traversing the Sahara Desert. The vehicle did so successfully and was the first in the world to do so. By 1935, the Renault Juva 4 was on the market, once again pushing the envelope with innovative design, including a front-mounted engine and three-speed gearbox.
4) They Co-Operated with the Enemy in World War II
While the brand was supportive of French efforts during World War I, World War II brought economic and political turmoil and forced the brand to comply with the enemy when Germany invaded France. Fearing that they would lose everything that they built, the Renault Brothers realised that they needed to work with the Germans so that their factories would not be shut down and moved to Germany.
When German officials came to the factory to plot its inevitable move, Louis Renault agreed to build cars for the Wehrmacht. This decision – albeit one to save his company and retain French employees – was especially unpopular with those involved in the French Resistance movement, and once the war ended, Louis Renault was imprisoned for collaborating with the Germans. Renault, seriously ill at the time, argued that his efforts had been to keep production out of Nazi hands.
Tragically, he died in 1944 while imprisoned, and after that, The French government seized Renault. Once nationalised, a new name emerged – “Régie Nationale des Usines Renault” – and production efforts once again soared. By 1961, over a million cars had been sold. The brand was known for its cutting-edge designs and affordable price factor, making them a popular choice.
5) They are Formula One Fundis
In 1977, Renault entered the Formula One playing field and signed up as a constructor, where they introduced the turbo engine design. Over the years, they have worked as engineers and team owners. It currently ranks fourth in Formula One history in terms of engine supplier wins and, as a team owner, has won two drivers’ and two constructors’ championships.
Explore Premium Auto Parts at A.S.A.P. Spares
Finding reliable vehicle spares can be a top stressor for drivers, especially when it comes to second-hand parts. This is why you need a supplier that you can count on. Here at A.S.A.P. Spares, we pride ourselves on high-quality automotive parts built to last. With a fully functioning scrapyard at our disposal, we work hard to source auto parts, accident-damaged vehicles, and entire engines, offering clients a one-stop-shop through which to buy all their auto spares.
While we started as a small corporation selling only Opel spares, we soon turned into Pretoria’s go-to supplier for the following brands: Opel, Suzuki, Renault, Peugeot, Chevrolet, and Citroën. We strive to meet all our clients’ needs and always look for a specific part. If we do not stock it physically, we will do our best to reach out to our wider network and source your desired vehicle spare. We are the team for the job when it comes to all things auto related.
All our products are thoroughly checked to ensure that they adhere to safety standards, and clients are assured transparency, quality, and care with every transaction. Trust the automotive experts and shop with A.S.A.P. Spares.