French car manufacturers
87The French Automotive industry: French car companies
The Paris region is one of the few French regions able to boast at least two major world class automobile manufacturers, Renault and PSA
Since 1903 the French automotive industry has led the world with over 30,000 vehicles produced by over 30 manufacturers. Although in the past few years the country might have been left with only two major manufacturers, France’s automobile industry remains a world leader. Renault-Nissan is the world’s number 4 manufacturer while PSA Peugeot-Citroen is number 8.
The French automotive industry in figures:
- 3 out of every 4 vehicles manufactured by the two French groups are sold outside France.
23% of all vehicles sold in the European Community are French.
10% of the working population work directly or indirectly for the automobile industry.
French car makers located in Paris
French car makers: The automotive industry in Paris
The Most Beautiful Automobile Avenue in the World: The Champs Elysées
The Champs Elysées, a section of Paris that extends from the Louvre Pyramid to La Défense, an obligatory passage for patriotic parades has been a fashionable place to walk since the late 1800. These days you can find anything along the Champs Elysées: films, haute couture, high street fashion, restaurants, fresh vegetables, perfumes and even racing cars!
From the early 1900 the Champs Elysees was conquered by the automobile and very soon it became the favourite show room stage. In 1910, Louis Renault was the first to install his show room there. The Champs Elysees might be one of the world’s most expensive avenues in terms of commercial real estate, but the world’s car automotive leaders have no hesitation in paying top rates for a showroom here. It is argued that the Champs Elysees attracts 80 million people every year. For this reason, the showrooms are not simple sales outlets, they are prestigious addresses used to meet and host events; millions are spent on famous architects and interior designers to create comfortable and luxurious environments.
Some of the best known addresses are Renault at number 53, Citroen at number 42, Peugeot at 136, Mercedes at 118 and Toyota at number 79.
The importance of Paris in the global automotive industry
The major role played by the Paris region in the global automotive industry is underlined by the fact that the entire world’s leading equipment manufacturers are located here, near the decision making centres of PSA and Renault. For example, the German Bosch group (the world’s number 1) is based in the Paris region of Saint-Ouen and the American Delphi (the world’s number 2) is based at Roissy –Paris. Also the Japanese Denso (the world’s number 3) shares the Paris region at Levallois as its main location.
French cars
French car company: PSA Peugeot Citroën in figures
Automotive production is the core business of PSA Peugeot Citroën. Nearly 85,000 men and women work in 17 production centres
- In 2008, PSA Peugeot Citroën's production sites manufactured 3,322,600 vehicles.
- In 2008, 1 904 000 vehicles (vehicles and CKDs) were sold in the world by Peugeot.
- Citroën sold, in 2008, 1,356,000 vehicles (vehicles and CKDs). The Citroën C5 has exceeded its sales objectives, in a segment under pressure.
- Thanks to the launching of the Citroën Nemo and Peugeot Bipper, the Group PSA has strengthened its leadership in Western Europegrowing its market share by 1.3 points to reach 19.9%
- PSA Peugeot Citroën holds on to global market share of 5% in 2008, standing firm in strongly falling markets.
- Some 13,000 vehicles are produced every day by the Group's plants, along with 11,000 engines and 12 500 gearboxes.
- In 2008, PSA Peugeot Citroën continued its expansion in South America, slightly increasing its market share to 5.5%.
- In 2009, Peugeot will make substantial steps to expand market coverage with the new 308 CC, its first crossover (the 3008) and its first compact MPV..
French cars: the Renault Vel Satis
2001 Renault Vel Satis promotional video
RENAULT
Renault present at the Cannes 2009 festival
For the 26th consecutive year, Renault is an official partner at the Cannes Film Festival Between May 13 and 24, the company supplied a fleet of 100 vehicles, including the Vel Satis model, officially used by French President Nicolas Sarkozy .
Outside France Renault is also an official partner of red carpet events. In 2008, Renault became the official partner of the 8th International Film Festival in Marrakech offering a fleet of Vel Satis and Lagunas to drive film makers and actors around the city. The same year, Renault’s Spanish subsidiary signed a partnership with the country’s leading film event, theInternational Film Festival in San Sebastian.
But Renault’s relationship with the cinema industry is not limited to offering red carpet vehicles for film Festivals. Renault cars have also been featured in several films like: A View to a Kill (1985) where Roger Moore does amazing things at the wheel of a Renault 11 in a classic sequence at the EiffelTower as James Bond. More recently in Rush Hour 3 (2007) Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker take part in an impressive car chase across Paris in a Renault Espace.
Renault in James Bond film
Renault and the Formula 1
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French car makers in Paris:
Champs elysees 53 - 
Champs elysees 42 - CommentsLoading...
All I dream for is a Rolls Royce to take my "to be wife" on a long drive.
Hi Brian: shame about the window :(
Guidebaba: “To dream anything that you want to dream. That's the beauty of the human mind."
hey Princessa nice information you have about cars i really like your this hub
themoneyscams: glad you enjoyed it!
nice hub..outside of europe, french cars have limited success.
I've always wanted to get my hands on a Peugeot 206, alas, I live in the US. Nice write up though.
You learn something everyday. I didn't know the French made cars. Have ever sold them in the US? Thanks
HKrafston : I don't think that you can find many French cars in the USA, but if you are interested in the HISTORY OF FRENCH CARS IN USA you can ckeck this article http://www.theautochannel.com/news/writers/bhagin/
JunkerBob: You can find some French cars in e-bay, but the selection is not very big.
kasanova: thanks for taking the time to comment.
Renault looks a good car but they are just not popular in India because they booked cars few years back and not everyone who canceled booking got the money and my dad still has to get his 25,000 rs though they canceled their booking 15 years back. This made them loose all credibility.
I've always been a fan of Renault but hadn't considered them much since I'm in the US. They produce very nice cars.
I'm sticking with Toyota. I have had three, and my family have had several in the past, and we only need to trade them in when we are looking to get the latest model - never because of any kind of mechanical defects or wear because of age.
My first car was a red Peugeot 205 GTI. It had no radio, no functioning coupé heating or fan. But I loved it! It was so much fun driving it. I really miss my little Peugeot.
Shannon: They are certainly different.
Novak: Good to hear that is a reliable make.
J.P: That was cute model.
I remember when the Renault was here in the US. I really liked those cars. Has the French auto industry developed hybrid cars yet? I don't hear much about that.
Hi Mark: Renault and Peugeot-Citroen are developing electric cars with aid from the government. However, few, if any, of Europe's electric cars are expected to be brought to US markets.
For me the pinnicle of French carbuilding was the 205 Gti. I've 3 ( 1.6 , 1.9 and a 1.9 turbo technics) tucked away in storage and no car raises a smile like a 205 on the limit driving down a "B" road.
The strange thing about the 205 was that the build quality was poor, the engine and drive train were PSA parts bin stuff but somehow there was a magic to the car that Peugeot never again matched. I've had the 106 Gti ( fine car, too small) and the 306 GTi6 ( fine car, bit big) and the 206 Gti ( bad car, so size did'nt matter). This thread has reminded me to go and wash one of them now.....
recently bought a Peugeot 407, very good car
not the best cars produced Peugeot
i like the post, i like the car.
peugeots sound good but i think i like my hyundai better
it sounds good and i would like to buy one
I have a Renault mégane 1998 and a peugeot 207 2009 and i have to say that they are reliable, fast, comfortable, strong and on top of that relatively cheap. I prefer the French cars to U.S.
Good cars from beautiful people, great to see French cars in action. Both cars are known for their quality and performance.
They make some of the best value cars. I love my citreon.
I had a peugot once. Kept having problems over and over again. Wouldn't get one again.
Drove 2 Peugeot until they were respectively 14 and 11 years old + 1 Renault until 10 years of age. I've now been driving a brilliant and sober Peugeot 206 for the last 3 years.
And, in the few months I drove an ugly, thirsty 2006 Pontiac, I had it fixed more often than the 4 French cars combined...
I have Peugeot 307 :-)
american cars are better.
Thank you for the hub. So informative, a lesson I learned today!
Awesome information. I love reading the entire selection because it holds several facts but they linger in the memory. The weaving of words is simply awesome!
Tanya
Champs Elysées is such a history!
I love watching car show and I dream of even a short travel in Paris. I would surely land my feet in Champs Elysées before I die
i have Citroen zx 1.4i avantage 1995 model the problem is i can not find the manufacturing date in the body so that i can not pay the tax of duty and there is no a dealer in my country Ethiopia for the part,the rest i love it the car it is very comfortable good fuel consumption.
It was truly fabulous any buddy who crazy for car definitely like this post.
the french cars are trying to make a come back in the EV segment with the Renault/ Nissan models Leaf and Twizzy?.
But then, will they catch up with the Japanese, way ahead in the HEV bracket. Let's see...
There is big scandal today about Renault strategic assets in EV haven been pilfered by the chinese... Small world when it comes to espionage...like in the days of CCCR!
I never thought about french cars. thanks for introducing me to them.
i like your site. its new info for me.
I understand Chrysler bought out the French manufacturer, Simca, in the early 1960s. What happened to Simca cars? Was the line simply stopped?
I'm fairly certain that 1985 saw the last year of the Simca. There was a 1308 variant that came out and died pretty quickly at the hands of the VW golf. Awesome history behind that company thought.
well i have always wanted a 67 cevey impala because they are the best car ever
Very good and informative hub. A good addition in your hubs.
I have had 4 Peugeot 405's in a row. I like the Pininfarina design the most and wonder why Peugeot does not go to them for exteriors anymore. A plain look wastes the engineering expertise of Peugeot, which I think makes the best cars for the money and beyond. For example, Peugeot puts in a bigger budget than any other car manufacturer into suspensions of its cars, with very enjoyable results for drivers and passengers. I hope that Peugeot can consistenly wrap beautiful skins over its cars, like it has done for the 508 and future 208.
BrianS 2 years ago
I own a little Renault Megane and I do really like it but one of the electric windows packed up a little while ago which apparently is a very common fault in this model. I have to say I find that really annoying because if there is a known fault it should be sorted out. Other than that the car is great, really economical and fun to drive so shame about the window.