2007 Interactive Registration Document - Renault

1.1.2 BACKGROUND AND HIGHLIGHTS
1898
Société Renault Frères was formed to manufacture motor vehicles, taking
advantage of patents such as the fi rst direct-drive transmission. Based in the
Paris suburb of Billancourt, the company achieved international renown through
its success in motor sports, and initially specialized in the construction of
passenger cars and taxis. During the First World War, it produced substantial
volumes of trucks, light tanks and aircraft engines.
1922
Having expanded strongly in the passenger car and commercial vehicle markets,
Renault became a limited company. Establishing production centers in France
and abroad, Renault gradually emerged as the French market leader.
1945
The company was nationalized in January, renamed “Régie Nationale des Usines
Renault”, and concentrated on producing the 4 CV.
1972
Renault 5 arrived on the market. It remains one of the Group’s best-selling
models ever.
THE 1980s
Through to the mid 1980s, Renault followed a strategy of diversifi cation in the
industrial, fi nancial and service sectors, while at the same time growing its
industrial and commercial activities internationally. But in 1984, the company
ran into fi nancial diffi culties. As a result, it concentrated on restructuring and
refocusing on core activities, and returned to profi t in 1987.
THE 1990s
In 1990, Renault became a limited company once again. In the same year,
it signed an agreement for close cooperation with the Volvo group. In 1991,
the two groups linked their automobile and commercial vehicle businesses via
cross-shareholdings. This arrangement was unwound after plans to merge the
two groups were shelved in late 1993.
RENAULT AND THE GROUP 01
PRESENTATION OF RENAULT AND THE GROUP
On November 17, 1994 the French government opened Renault to outside
capital, a fi rst step towards privatization, which took place in July 1996.
In 1998, the year of its centenary, Renault opened the Technocentre in
Guyancourt for its design and development teams, and a bodywork/assembly
plant in Curitiba, Brazil.
The year 1999 marked the start of a new era in Renault’s history with the signing
of an Alliance with Nissan, on March 27 in Tokyo. In the same year, Renault
acquired a new brand by taking a 51% stake in Romanian carmaker Dacia.
2000
Renault raised its stake in Dacia to 80.1% and acquired a new brand – Samsung
Motors – in South Korea.
2001
Renault and Volvo joined forces to form the world’s second-biggest truck
manufacturer. Renault became the main shareholder in the Volvo group,
with a 20% stake, after selling the Renault V.I./Mack group to Volvo.
2002
Renault and Nissan implemented the second stage of their Alliance, aimed at
strengthening their equity ties and creating a joint strategic structure. Renault
raised its stake in Nissan from 36.8% to 44.4%. At the same time, Nissan
took a 15% ownership interest in Renault. The French government’s ownership
interest was reduced to 25.9% and then to 15.7% in 2003 by selling shares
both to company employees and on the market.
2003
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This was the year of Mégane II. With fi ve body styles (Scénic II, Grand Scénic,
Mégane coupé-cabriolet, Mégane 4-door sedan and Mégane Station wagon)
completing the two models launched in 2002, a total of seven models were
launched in 17 months. Mégane II became Europe’s best-selling model.
✦ Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Directives Registration Document Renault 2007 7
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