Berliets

Berliets was a French manufacturer of automobiles and military vehicles founded in 1899 by Marius Berliet. The company initially produced cars, but soon diversified into trucks and buses. Berliets quickly gained a reputation for producing robust and reliable vehicles, which were widely used by the French army. During World War I, Berliets played a crucial role in the war effort, with thousands of their trucks used to transport troops and supplies to the front lines. The company's V.I.P. (Véhicule Industriel Poids Lourd) series of trucks became particularly famous.

After the war, Berliets continued to innovate and expand its product line. They introduced the first diesel-powered trucks in France in the 1930s and were pioneers in developing amphibious vehicles. During World War II, the company's factories were occupied and utilized by the German military, but Berliets managed to survive the conflict. In the post-war era, Berliets remained a leading manufacturer of commercial vehicles, known for their heavy-duty trucks and buses.

In 1967, Berliets merged with other French truck manufacturers to form Renault Véhicules Industriels (RVI). The Berliet brand name was gradually phased out, with vehicles eventually being marketed under the Renault brand. Despite the disappearance of the Berliets name, the company's legacy in the automotive and transportation industry is significant, representing a key chapter in French industrial history.