Renault Trucks Explained

Renault Trucks SAS[1]
Type:Subsidiary
Foundation:1978 (as a merger between Saviem and Berliet)[2] [3]
Location:Saint-Priest, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
Industry:Automotive
Predecessor:Saviem
Berliet
Dodge UK
Products:Trucks, military vehicles
Revenue: €5.73 billion (2022)[4]
Net Income: €120.1 million (2022)
Num Employees:7,554 (2018)
Parent:Volvo
Subsid:Renault Trucks Defense

Renault Trucks is a French commercial truck manufacturer with corporate headquarters at Saint-Priest near Lyon. Originally part of Renault, it has been a subsidiary of the Volvo Group since 2001.

From its beginnings in 1978 to 2002, the company was called French: Renault Véhicules Industriels (Renault Industrial Vehicles), from 1992 on officially written as Renault V. I.. Until 2002, Renault Véhicules Industriels also manufactured buses.

History

Renault first began building dedicated commercial trucks in 1906.[5] In 1956, however Renault stopped producing trucks and buses under its own name. Instead, the company Saviem was formed as a subsidiary of their own commercial products with the manufacturers Somua and Latil.[2] Lighter commercials kept on using the Renault name, however. From 1957 on, Saviem was also used as the brand name for the trucks and buses produced by the company.

As a result of French industrial policy, in 1975 state-owned Renault also acquired the truck and bus manufacturer Berliet from Citroën[6] (at that time a part of the Michelin corporation). In 1978, Berliet and Saviem were merged to form Renault Véhicules Industriels. Again, the old brand names were retained for two more years while the model lineups were gradually incorporated, until in 1980 they were replaced by the name Renault.

In 1971, Saviem became a member of the Euro Truck Development Group or Club of Four, a cooperation between four European truck producers (Saviem, Volvo, DAF and Magirus-Deutz, which soon after became a part of Iveco) for the production of medium-sized trucks. Since 1975 the truck models resulting from this cooperation were built by Saviem[7] and later Renault, even until 2001. They were also sold on the North American market as the Mack Mid-Liner or Manager.

In 1978, PSA Group bought Chrysler's European operations.[8] Included in the deal were commercial vehicle operations in the UK and Spain, which at that time used the brand name Dodge. PSA however sold them on to RVI in 1983, having itself little interest in the commercial vehicle market.[9] The newly acquired operations in the UK had their origins in the commercial vehicle branch of the Rootes Group which originally carried the brand names Karrier and Commer.[10] Some of the models built there were continued in production for several years by RVI in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, who also kept the Dodge brand name for these models, albeit in combination with the Renault badge. In 1988 the company was subject to a Fire Brigades Union inquiry due to eight Dodge fire engines involved in crashes.[11] Until 1992 the UK division was known as Renault Truck Industries, after which it then took the international Renault V.I. name.

In Spain, however, where Renault already was recognized as a local automobile producer, the Dodge trucks, which originally had been developed by the manufacturer Barreiros Diesel,[12] were rebadged as Renaults and soon after replaced by French-designed models.

In 1987, Renault Véhicules Industriels took over from its parent company Renault a 42% stake in the American manufacturer Mack Trucks[13] which became a fully owned subsidiary of Renault Véhicules Industriels in 1990.[14]

In 1991, RVI purchased a 37.5% shareholding in French bodybuilder Heuliez Bus.[15] [16] In 1994, RVI purchased a 34% stake in the Czech bus manufacturer Karosa, increasing its ownership to a majority 51% in 1996 and 96% in 2000.[17] In 1997 Renault V. I. entered into a cooperation agreement with the Finnish truck producer Sisu. In 2002 the company signed a deal with the Chinese company Dongfeng Motor to manufacture engines.[18]

Renault Trucks took part in the FIA European Championship, running Renault Premium powered by 13-litre DXi13 engines. The Renault Trucks-MKR Technology team won in 2010.

Also, the Uruguayan plant of cars owned by Nordex S.A. in Uruguay has made since 2004 the Renault Trucks models like Midlum series.[19]

The Volvo Group invested about €2 billion to develop a new line of Renault Trucks vehicles (C, D, K, T) which were introduced through 2013 replacing the previous models.[20]

Changes of ownership

As part of Renault's restructuring following privatisation in 1996, the heavy vehicles operations of bus and truck were divested. In 1999, the Renault and Karosa bus and coach operations were split off from Renault Véhicules Industriels and merged with Fiat-Iveco's bus and coach operations to form the jointly owned subsidiary Irisbus.[17] In 2003, Irisbus became a full subsidiary of Iveco and the brand Renault on its products was replaced by the brand Irisbus.

In April 2000, Renault agreed to terms with Volvo to purchase its truck manufacturing business with Volvo in turn to relinquish its 15% shareholding in Renault and Renault buy a 20% shareholding in Volvo.[21] [22] The transaction which included Mack Trucks, but not Renault's stake in Irisbus, was completed on 2 January 2001. RVI was renamed Renault Trucks in 2002.[23] In October 2010 Renault reduced its shareholding in Volvo to 5%.[24] In December 2012, Renault sold its remaining shares in Volvo.[25]

Military vehicles

The Renault Trucks Defense division is wholly owned by Renault Trucks and is based in Versailles, France. It trades on its 1975 acquisition of Berliet and claims to have over 30,000 vehicles in use around the world.[26] Its status as the leading supplier to the French Army was put in jeopardy in 2010 when the government placed a $214m order to Italian competitor Iveco.[27] In 2016, Volvo announced its intention of divesting Renault Trucks Defense, as part of the selling of its Government Sales division.[28]

It manufactures a range of special vehicles aimed at the defense and security markets, including the Sherpa, VAB armoured personnel carrier, the AMC armoured multirole carrier and Kerax ranges.

In 2006 Renault Trucks took over ACMAT, but the defence and security vehicle manufacturer retained its own name and identity.

On 24 May 2018, Renault Trucks Defense was renamed as Arquus.[29]

Products

Current products

Delivery range

Distribution range

Construction range

Long distance range

Military SUVs

Military trucks

Future products

In 2023, Sparrow Recovery took delivery of the first 120 tonne Renault Truck C520 recovery vehicle currently operating in the UK.[32]

Former truck models

Former bus models

See also: Iveco Bus.

Former coaches models

Former trolley bus and tram models

See also: Autorail.

Concept vehicles

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2013 Renault Trucks Corporate Legal Information . Renault Trucks . 7 May 2013.
  2. Book: Carroll . John . Davies . Peter James . Complete Book Tractors and Trucks . 2007 . Hermes House . 978-1-843-09689-4 . 66–67.
  3. Book: Kolodziej, Edward A. . Ball . Nicole . Leitenberg . Milton . The Structure of the Defense Industry: An International Survey . 1983 . . France . 0-7099-1611-6 . 85 .
  4. Web site: Renault Trucks . infonet.fr . fr .
  5. Book: Bradley, Elliot . Trucks and trucking . 1979 . Crescent Books . 0-517-27343-8 . 94 .
  6. Carroll, John; Davies, Peter James (2007). p. 59.
  7. Book: Davies, Peter J. . An Illustrated A-Z of World Trucks: A Directory of Classic and Contemporary Trucks Around the Globe . 2001 . Southwater Publishing . 1-842-15459-1 . 169.
  8. Book: Flory, J. . American Cars, 1973–1980: Every Model, Year by Year . 2011 . . Appendices . 978-0-7864-4352-9 . 892–893.
  9. Book: Kuipers, J. F. J. . Great Trucks . 1983 . Beekman House . 0-517-38114-1 . 9 . registration .
  10. Davies, Peter J. (2001). p. 97.
  11. Sunday Times (London, England) 5 June 1988
  12. Davies, Peter J. (2001). p. 45.
  13. Web site: Mack Shares Shifted at Renault . Shope, Dan . articles.mcall.com . . 28 May 1987 . 1 August 2013.
  14. Web site: Renault's Buyout Of Mack Puts Bite Back in the Bulldog . Shope, Dan . articles.mcall.com . The Morning Call . 2 October 1990 . 1 August 2013.
  15. http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/16th-may-1991/20/dereg-doubts-government-plans-to-deregulate-london Heuliez hold-up
  16. http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/13th-june-1991/25/heuliez-deal-the-european-commission-has-allowed-v Heuliez deal
  17. Book: Pavlínek, Petr . A Successful Transformation?: Restructuring of the Czech Automobile Industry . 2008 . Contributions to Economics . . Restructuring of the Czech Commercial Vehicle Industry . 978-3-7908-2039-3 . 151 .
  18. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FZX/is_12_68/ai_95954230/ bnet.com December 2002
  19. Web site: Nordex: "sigue siendo caro producir en Uruguay" | Gente y Negocios . 6 October 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120718233515/http://genteynegocios.elpais.com.uy/nordex-sigue-siendo-caro-producir-en-uruguay . 18 July 2012 .
  20. Web site: Press release. New Renault Trucks range: centres of profit serving customers' business . Automotiveworld.com . 12 June 2013 . 25 June 2013.
  21. https://web.archive.org/web/20020207104428/https://money.cnn.com/2000/04/25/europe/volvo_renault/ Volvo, Renault link trucks
  22. Volvo buys Renault's truck business Truck & Bus Transportation June 2000 page 19
  23. Web site: AB Volvo – press release . https://archive.today/20120722221931/http://www.cisionwire.com/volvo/ab-volvo-s-acquisition-of-renault-v-i-mack-implemented-today . dead . 22 July 2012 . . 2 January 2001 .
  24. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d367b888-d1fd-11df-965c-00144feabdc0.html "European carmakers jump after Renault deal"
  25. Web site: Renault sells remaining Volvo stake . . 12 December 2012 . 16 April 2013.
  26. http://www.renault-trucks-defense.com/en/history/ Renault Trucks Defense website
  27. http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2011/01/05/France-buys-heavy-trucks-missiles/UPI-28531294251608/ UPI.com news 5 January 2011
  28. Web site: Volvo Launches RTD Sale, No Timetable . Tran, Pierre . Defense News . 4 November 2016 . 14 June 2017.
  29. Web site: MacDonald . Andrew . Renault Trucks Defense renamed Arquus | Jane's 360 . www.janes.com . 12 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180911152634/https://www.janes.com/article/80350/renault-trucks-defense-renamed-arquus . 11 September 2018 . dead.
  30. Web site: En 2012, dans un contexte économique difficile, Renault Trucks maintient ses positions et prépare l'avenir . In 2012, within a difficult economic context, Renault Trucks maintains its position and prepares for the future . fr . Renault Trucks . 2 May 2013.
  31. Commercial vehicles:Renault Trucks announces the launch of the Trafic . Renault Trucks . 27 January 2022 . 7 May 2023.
  32. Web site: 2023-06-15 . Sparrow Recovery Adds UK’s First 120 Tonne Renault . 2024-02-14 . On Scene . en-GB.
  33. http://www.roadtransport.com/blogs/big-lorry-blog/2010/07/kevin-scarbel-to-me-show.html Roadtransport.com, July 7, 2010
  34. http://homepage.ntlworld.com/c.fuller1/SC10R.html French Bus Page website
  35. http://busexplorer.com/PHP/MidPage.php?id=1187 Bus Explorer website