Renault

CAR REVIEW | Renault | Renault  is a French automobile manufacturer producing cars and vans, and in the past, autorail vehicles, trucks, tractors, and also buses. Renault brothers Marcel and Fernand founded the leading French car manufacturer in 1899. The first cars of Renault designed by their brother, Louis began winning road races from 1899 onwards, due to public demand for the development of the company cars. Renault soon developed a network of sales, and in 1905, was transferred to a boat of the industrial production of cars to meet large orders for taxis in Paris and New York.

France had surpassed the United States of America, the leading producer of impact on the philosophy supported by the introduction of the Ford assembly line in motion, and prices available without interruption of the war, has seen a big change. Both Renault and Citroen have tried to learn American methods, the way the Citroën. In 1920, Renault has expanded the production line for trucks and tractors.

The company also built a large factory at Billancourt near Paris in order, like Ford at his Baton Rouge complex in Michigan in the USA, to control as many aspects of car production—from raw materials to component parts—within a single company. Assembly lines were introduced at Renault and the factory completed in 1937. Renault automobile designs followed fairly conventional lines until the later 1920s when external consultants Hibbard & Darrin were brought in for the Reinastella range of 1928.

In common with other manufacturers in Europe and the United States, streamlined forms also made their impact on the Renault range in the 1930s, as seen in the Viva Grand Sport of 1934 designed by Marcel Riffart. Three years later Renault launched its first attempt at a people's car, the streamlined Juvaquatre, affordable and with hydraulic brakes. Nonetheless, technological imperative rather than style generally informed the outlook of Renault's body design department, directed by Roger Barthaud.

In 1946, Renault launched its 4CV, a symbol of mass motoring in France, with the popular Dauphine following a decade later, with the rather box-like, functional Renault 4 of 1961 providing a design response to the Suez crisis.

During the 1950s Renault had begun working with the Italian automobile body design company Ghia and also set up a centre for styling. In charge of this from 1960 to 1963 was Philippe Charbonneaux, who came from a design background that included General Motors. Gaston Juchet, who had arrived at Renault in 1958, was in charge of styling from 1963 to 1975 and worked with a distinguished team of designers including Michel Boué (1936-71), the designer of the highly successful, stylish yet practical R5 (1972-92), and Robert Opron, designer of the R14.

As had been the case in the late 1950s, links with Italian designers and stylists such as Ital Design were maintained and fostered. Opron, who had arrived at Renault with a background at Simca and Citroën, took charge of the Style Centre from 1975 to 1984 and was ably assisted by Gaston Juchet (applied style) and Jacques Nocher (advanced styling). Opron also extended the range of design consultants used by the company, linking with figures such as Terence Conran and Mario Bellini. Models at this time included the Renault 25 (1985) and the Renault Espace (1984).

The design of the latter was innovative, shifting ideas of family motoring away from the conventional format of a four-seater towards a more convivial, flexible, and relaxing configuration. After Opron left for Fiat in 1984, Juchet again took charge of styling for another three years until the arrival of Patrick Le Quément, who became director of industrial design in 1988. Models introduced at this time included the Clio (1991), the Twingo (1992), and the Scenic (1991) which, in parallel with the earlier Espace, initiated mini-MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) design thinking.

Its alliance with Nissan, which makes the world's third largest automaker. Together, Renault and Nissan is developing the electric car as a leader among the major automakers invest € 4000000000 (5.16 billion U.S. dollars) for eight electric cars over the next 3-4 years. Headquartered in Boulogne-Billancourt, Renault and Dacia of Romania has the Korean automaker automaker Renault Samsung Motors. Renault also owns a subsidiary of RCI Banque (which provides automotive financing) and Motrio (auto parts). Renault Trucks, a former Renault Industrial Vehicles, was part of Volvo Trucks in 2001. Renault Agriculture was 100% owned by German manufacturer of agricultural machinery CLAAS in 2008.

A Lebanese, Carlos Ghosn is the current Director General. Car company's most successful to date is the Renault Clio and Renault Laguna, and its main market is Europe. The company is known for his role in motorsport, and its success in recent years in the rally and Formula 1. The French government has 15 percent of Renault. - CAR REVIEW

Renault

Volkswagen

CAR REVIEW | Volkswagen | Volkswagen, more commonly known with its abbreviation "VW", is the original and biggest-selling brand of automobile of the Volkswagen (VW) Group. Volkswagen Group now also owns the Lamborghini, Bentley, Audi, SEAT, Bugatti, Scania (truck manufacturer), and marques of Škoda . On May, 28 1937, the company of "Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschen Volkswagen mbH" is founded, and on September 16, 1938 has been renamed "Volkswagenwerk GmbH". In early 1938, that today is Wolfsburg, work begins on the construction of the Volkswagen plant that has its own production of a new vehicle designed by Ferdinand Porsche.

Volkswagen means "people's car" in German, where it is pronounced). Its current tagline or slogan is Das Auto (meaning "the Car").When in 1937 the company known as "Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschen Volkswagens mbH" was founded, no one could have guessed that it would one day be Europe's largest carmaker. The history of the company - with all its trials and tribulations - is first and foremost a story of impressive success.

During the Second World War Volkswagenwerk's production is switched to armaments. Some 20,000 forced labourers, prisoners of war, and later also concentration camp prisoners, work at the plant.

Volkswagen Beetle

In September 1998, in recognition of the events of that time, VOLKSWAGEN AG established a humanitarian fund on behalf of the forced labourers compelled to work at Volkswagen during the Second World War. By the end of 2001 more than 2,050 people in 26 countries had received humanitarian aid from the fund. Furthermore, a Memorial in remembrance of the forced labour employed at the Volkswagenwerk plant is currently being established at Wolfsburg, involving contributions from present-day Volkswagen apprentices.

After the end of the Second World War, in mid June 1945, responsibility for Volkswagenwerk is placed in the hands of the British Military Government. Under the management of Major Ivan Hirst, mass production of the Volkswagen Beetle is started.

Volkswagen Touareg

On March 8th, 1950 the Type 2 goes into production, expanding the company's product range. The Volkswagen Bus, still today known to many as the "VW Bully", soon creates rising demand thanks to its multifunctional capabilities. In 1956 a separate manufacturing base for the Transporter is established in Hanover, at the same time setting down the roots of today's Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand.

In 1955 employees and dealers from Germany and abroad celebrate the production of the one millionth Volkswagen Beetle in Wolfsburg.

Volkswagen Bulli

On February 17th, 1972 Volkswagen breaks the world car production record: with 15,007,034 units assembled, the Beetle surpasses the legendary mark achieved by the Ford Motor Company's Model T, popularly known as the "Tin Lizzy", between 1908 and 1927.

In 1973 the Passat is the first model of the new generation of Volkswagen vehicles to go into production - with front-wheel drive, a water-cooled four-cylinder engine and a range of engines up to 110 bhp. The Passat is built in line with the modular strategy, by which standardised components usable in a range of different models provide significant rationalisation.

Volkswagen Golf 2011

In January 1974 the first Golf is built at the Wolfsburg plant. The compact saloon quickly becomes a hit, and advances to become the legitimate heir to the legendary Beetle. The same year also sees the launch of the sporty Scirocco, which was to continue in production until 1981.

In 1976 the first Golf GTI rolls off the production line. The car, with its110 bhp engine, creates a real furore on the roads - and lays the foundations for the birth of a legend.

Volkswagen Passat, 2011

In June 1983 production of the second-generation Golf begins. The car is designed for a largely automated assembly process, and in the specially erected final assembly hall, designated Hall 54, robots are deployed for the first time in vehicle manufacture.

With the production launch of the Lupo 3L TDI, the first production car to offer fuel consumption of just three litres per 100 kilometres, in July 1999, Volkswagen once again makes automotive history.

Volkswagen Touran, 2011

In August 2002, at Volkswagen Slovakia, a.s. in Bratislava, mass production of the Touareg, a luxury-class off-road vehicle, is started, marking the Volkswagen brand's move into an entirely new market segment.

In December 2002, "Auto 5000 GmbH" company that manages the site of the factory in Wolfsburg, starts production Volkswagen Touran compact van. Special collective model has been developed, aimed at implementing lean production, and with flat hierarchies, team working, flexible working hours and the introduction of experts working multiple jobs. In 2003, the production of fifth-generation Volkswagen Golf has begun. - CAR REVIEW

Volkswagen