French cars have always enjoyed being different: those of us with long memories will recall the unique character of cars such as the Renault 4, the Citroen DS and the Peugeot 404. Today, while being more conformist in looks and engineering, the French industry likes to think that its products purvey a certain Gallic flair and ambience that appeals to Francophiles everywhere.
In the first five months of this year, 19,934 French-built cars went on Irish roads for the first time, a 46.7 per cent jump from the same period of 1999 when 13,179 were registered. The 46.7 per cent growth has to be viewed against a 44.75 per cent increase in the total new car market. The French share of 12.3 per cent is up only marginally from 12.2 per cent because of the strength of new car sales.
The leading French marque in Ireland is Renault which saw its new car sales jump 64 per cent to 9,879 comparing the five months of 2000 with 1999. Renault is handled here by Bill Cullen's Glencullen organisation - he says Renault's assertive control of Nissan gives him much confidence about its future as a major worldwide manufacturer.
Peugeot and Citroen, although marketed and sold separately, are part of the Gowan Group, again Irish-owned. Much of the Gowan equity is held by Mrs Gemma Maughan whose late husband, Con Smith, was killed in the 1972 Staines air crash near London. Con Smith at the time actually held the Renault franchise.
Peugeot and Citroen five month sales were 6,274 and 3,181 respectively, up 25.9 and 46.7 per cent. The French influence among Irish new car buyers at 12.3 per cent is only moderate. The Japanese figure is nearly 30 per cent, for instance, and it used to be over 40 per cent.
In the fast-changing environment of takeovers and alliances among car manufacturers, Renault's acquisition of debt-laden Nissan was probably the most formidable. Renault's influence in the Far East is now extended dramatically.
First and foremost though, taking control of Nissan has put Renault on a par with the big players such as General Motors, Ford, Daimler Chrysler and Toyota. Although Renault and Nissan will retain separate badges and identities, their future is essentially as one - common platforms, common engines, common marketing and much more. This bonding inevitably should mean enormous savings and a return to profitability for Nissan.
New French cars making an Irish debut this year include the Citroen Xsara Picasso, the Peugeot 607 which is the lion brand's flagship and the Renault Avantime, also top-of-the-range. The French motoring press has also just been revealing first pictures of an all-new Laguna.
ALL three French manufacturers have fascinating histories. Louis Renault, who made his first car in 1899, rebelled against entering the family business which was making buttons. Much later his refusal to put Renault into the war effort during the second World War led to the nationalisation of the company and his imprisonment.
Andre Citroen's first car didn't come until 1919. Before that his Paris shop made steering gear - one of its jobs was the steering equipment for the ill-fated Titanic.
Peugeot is the second oldest surviving car company in the world, after Mercedes-Benz, and the oldest still in the hands of the same family. In fact, the family had a manufacturing history dating back four generations. Peugeot's first cars came out in 1889: they had three wheels and were steam-driven.
France's role as a major automobile manufacturing country is set to grow and consolidate this century. Next year Toyota will open its big new car plant at Valciennes and it will build the highly successful Yaris supermini which is currently made in Japan.
