The History of Renault Trucks

Discover the history of Renault Trucks

From 1894 to today

Building on its outstanding history, Renault Trucks’ destiny is now gathering pace on highways all over the globe.

Renault Trucks has a history we can all be proud of. This history explains what Renault Trucks is today and what it will be in the future: a committed brand to serve its customers and road transport as a whole, as well as enhancing the prestige of an activity which plays a key role in our society.

In 1894 in Lyon, Marius Berliet designed and produced a single cylinder engine and made his first petrol car running on petrol until the present day.

In 1906, he made his first truck.

In 1898 in Billancourt, near Paris, Louis Renault developed a 4 speed gearbox and introduced his first motorised vehicle, a small car with a quarter horse power.

He produced the first direct drive utility vehicle (LCV) from 1900 and in 1906 invented the fore runner to the Paris bus.

Discover more than 100 years of an extraordinary legacy by watching “Pioneers since 1894”

At Berliet, 40 CBA trucks were produced each day to join those going to the front at Verdun. At Renault, the 600 taxis that contributed to the  victory at the Marne assured Renault’s place in history.

In 1917, the ‘diamond’ brand built the first modern tank in history. The first 4x4 truck was built by Latil. It was a natural step following the front-wheel drive developed in 1898.

Steps towards building a group

Betwen 1952 and 1974, Laffly, Rochet Schneider, Camiva and Citroën HGV merged with Berliet.

In 1955 Saviem was formed from the merger of Latil, the Trucks division of Renault and Somua.

In 1957 Berliet made the T100, the largest truck in the world.

Richard Continental joined Saviem in 1965 and Sinpar joined in 1975.

In 1978, Berliet and Saviem merged to form the only HGV manufacturer in France which became Renault Véhicules Industriels, the Trucks division of the Renault Group.

The Berliet T-100 - 1957

This is one of the largest trucks ever built in the world, with a gross vehicle weight of over 100 tonnes.

The Berliet GLR8 - 1958 – The “truck of the century”

The Berliet GLR, launched in January 1950 with a GVW of 12.5 t, ended its career 31 years later at 19 t.

The Berliet GBC - 6x6 "Gazelle" - 1959

Designed in 1956 to meet the demands of desert oil exploration, the GBC has a large 7.9 litre engine. It is remarkably well balanced with a virtually identical load on each of the three drive axles.

Berliet Stradair – 1965

The Berliet Stradair, the world's first truck with variable air-cushion suspension. In the early 1960s, Berliet decided to launch a five-tonne payload vehicle, the Stradair, in the urban delivery segment.

Berliet TR 300 – 1970

In 1970, Berliet presented its brand-new long-distance truck, the TR 300, equipped with the V8 engine and its over-engine tilting cab, the KB2400.

Renault Trucks' context

Renault Vehicules Industriels sought to build an international group with the acquisition of  the highly respected American Mack truck brand in 1990.

1992 was a key stage: Renault Vehicules Industriels became Renault V.I.

In 2001, Renault V.I. became part of the Volvo Group.

In 2002, the worldwide brand Renault Trucks was formally constituted.

The birth of the legendary Magnum Truck 

As soon as it was born, the Renault Magnum was destined to mark its age with its stamp. Everyone remembers the impact of its revolutionary concept at its launch in 1990. A totally flat cab floor, headroom of 1.87 m - now over 2 m - unequalled spaciousness, total freedom to move around on board, and more. The Renault Magnum cab’s characteristics made it one of the most comfortable trucks on the market.    

Rapidly asserting itself as the benchmark in its category, the following year it was voted "Truck of the Year".

Ever since, the Renault Magnum had been constantly improved until 2013 when the very last models were produced.

In 2013, Renault Trucks completely renewed its range of trucks, a first in the world of commercial vehicles. The Renault Trucks T High and T models for long distance, C  and K  for construction,  D   and D Wide for distribution feature innovative design and increased fuel efficiency. In 2015, the Renault T High was named International Truck of the Year

Committed to the energy transition and sustainable mobility, Renault Trucks is the pioneer in electromobility with the marketing of a 100% electric 4.5 t truck in 2011. In 2023, Renault Trucks offers a complete range of carbon-free vehicles, from 650 kg to 44 t GVW, mass-produced in France.