“Innovation is the mark of pioneers”.
Towards the end of the 19th century, the name of one man was said to make its mark on the history of the automobile, becoming synonymous with trucks.
Berliet applied for his first
patent, this was also the year during which another pioneer, Louie Renault, created
the company Renault. He then designed the first vehicle for transporting goods
built on the chassis of a car.
In 1905 the American locomotive company joined the automobile adventure, buying the manufacturing license for a range of three cars from Marius Berliet. Berliet suddenly found himself in possession of a capital of 500,000 gold francs, he reinvested all his money in buying land, modern machinery and constructing new buildings to develop his factory. But Berliet brand then adopted the famous steam locomotive sign as its logo. Berliet intensified its truck business at the same time as Renault was continuing to develop its motor car business. Berliet launched the first generation of trucks the L, followed by the M with a visionary marketing campaign focusing on road travel as an extension of the railways.
Despite the onset of World War one, Marius Berliet was already planning ahead for the next 20 years. At his 400 hectare site, he installed the first transformation machining and assembly line workshops. Like Renault, Berliet was actively involved in the war effort, manufacturing the weapon which led to the final victory.
In 1916, Berliet factories were producing 40 cba trucks a day, 2,500 of which were used at the front, transporting troops and equipment, medical units and supplies on the roads of Verdun, they soon became known as indestructible. After the war, the expansion of trucks as a method of transport came up against the wishes of one man, the director of the french state railways had plans to construct a trans-saharan railway line in order to establish the superiority of rail. Berliet and Renault both took up the challenge.
In 1926, they crossed the Sahara in six wheeled vehicles. In 1932, this time equipped with diesel engines, Berliet trucks triumphed in the trans-saharan race. Trucks won the fight against the railways. World War two slowed down the growth of Berliet. Amidst the turmoil of the post-war period when the company was sequestered, Marius Berliet died on the 17th of May 1949 aged 83. Two months later, the factories were returned to the Family. According to the wishes of his father, Paul berliet took over the management of the company.
In 1955, ten years after the end of the war the nationalized “Régie nationale des usines Renault” created “Saviem” which merged the heavy goods vehicle sector with Latil and Somua
Paul Berliet meanwhile was somewhere else, his ambition was to build up an international presence, in Africa in particular. The search for oil was in full swing in the Sahara, equipment used at that time was unsuitable, Berliet wanted to be the first manufacturer to supply trucks suitable for use in the desert.
The emblem of French
industrial expertise the mythical T100 firmly established the eligible
robustness for the Berliet brand, but ironically it was a different truck entirely
that was to make its mark on the berliet epoch in the Sahara: the GBC. Its
exploits due to its ground clearance and incredible resilience turned it into a
legend. Berliet became a key brand all over the world.
The manufacturer from Lyon was
in full expansion, soon the demand for small vehicles for urban deliveries took
hold.
The STRADAIR, this five ton vehicle was the first truck in the world to feature air suspension, then came the TR 300, a true symbol of comfort and safety.
In 1978 berliet and Saviem
became “Renault industrial vehicles” ; one brand one logo.
In 1990, “Renault industrial
vehicles” came up with a major new innovation which was recognized by the press
as revolutionary. The AE Magnum was successfully launched on he heavy goods
vehicle market and became the benchmark for European transport, he brand then
had a succession of innovations and successes.
In 2001, Renault sold its heavy goods vehicle division to AB Volvo which the following year took over the international name of Renault trucks. Renault Trucks has resolved to revive the great Berliet expeditions.
Since 2007 Renault Trucks has conquered all the challenges involving fuel consumption and profitability, these victories are the result of a call set for innovation and competitiveness, making Renault Trucks one of the pioneers in the research and development of intelligent transport solutions continuing the path started out by the company's founders.