Frenchman Louis Renault built his first passenger motorcar in 1898. By 1913 Renault had grown into one of the largest French car producers, building 20% of cars made in France. Its early cars (prior to the outbreak of WW2) were well built if slightly uninspiring. Models ranged from small family cars, taxi cabs (most cabs in Edwardian London were Renault), luxury models to rival Rolls-Royce and commercial vehicles.

By 1945 Renault had become a nationalised company and began exporting cars in large numbers of its new post-war range. Landmark models from Renault have included innovating models as diverse as the Renault 4, 16 (one of the first family hatchbacks), 5, 5 Turbo (one of the finest "80's hot-hatches"), 25, Espace (first European "people carrier"), Clio, Clio Williams and the Megane.