When a dialogue about cars and automobile starts, everyone remembers Germany, Japan, America.
However, according to statistical studies, France ranks third in car production in Europe (in 2018).
French cars are popular all over the world for their stylish design, variety and good price-quality ratio.
And the history of the French automotive industry goes back to the 18th century. It was then that the first vehicle appeared in France - the Cuño steam carriage.
Cuño Steam Cart
The French inventor, Army Captain Nicola Joseph Cuño, tested his first mechanical carriage in 1765. It was set in motion by a steam engine and could carry four passengers, reaching a speed of 9.5 km / h.
It received its further development with the support of the French military ministry. Thanks to him, Cuño was assigned to design an artillery tractor for the needs of the army.
In 1796, a steam car was built and presented to the direct customer - the military. The basis for the car was a massive oak frame on three wheels. The two-cylinder steam engine and boiler were mounted on a front-wheel sub-frame, which was driven and driven.
Two people had to drive the carriage, since its weight was two tons - the car itself weighed one ton and another ton — the water and fuel supply.
In 1770, Cuño built another version of the steam engine, but this vehicle did not receive further development.
However, it played it's role - this is how automotive industry originated in France.
First car from France.
The creation by Nicholas-August Otto of a usable model of an internal combustion engine, as well as the development of Gottlieb Daimler in the area of its improvement, gave a significant impetus to the development of the automotive industry throughout the world, including in France.
A new era in the construction of machines in France opened by Edouard Delamar - Debutteville with his assistant Leon Malandinom. They built and presented their car in 1883 - earlier Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler.
Initially, the engine of this machine worked on gas, however, due to the fact that the gas supply hose of the motor broke down in the very first tests, the gas was replaced with gasoline.
This vehicle traveled for the first time on a small road from Fontaine le Bourg to Cailli, Normandy, in early February 1884.
However, the Delamar - Debutteville was not able to get from this machine and its subsequent modifications a full-fledged performance. They broke, exploded during tests and never were put into production.
Thus, the palm of priority for the production of cars was missed by France and surrendered to Germany - Daimler and Benz.
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