Auverland
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Predecessor | Cournil |
| Founded | 1 January 1980 in Saint-Germain-Laval, Loire, France |
| Founder | François Servanin |
| Fate | Integrated into Panhard after reverse merger |
| Successor | Panhard General Defense |
| Headquarters | Saint-Germain-Laval , France |
Area served | France, Europe |
| Products | Jeep-style four-wheel-drive vehicles, armored vehicles |
| Owner | Cohen family (76%), Christian Mons (10%), Pierre Dalmas (7%), Servanin family (7%) (as of 2005) |
Number of employees | 300 (2005) |
| Parent | Panhard (since 2005), Renault Trucks Defense (since 2012) |
Auverland (officially known as Société nouvelle des automobiles Auverland), currently integrated into Panhard, is a French producer specializing in Jeep-style four-wheel-drive and armored vehicles. The company took control of Panhard from Peugeot in April 2005, and after a reverse merger, the unified entity adopted the more recognized Panhard brand.
History
Established in 1980 by Francois Servanin in Saint-Germain-Laval (Loire), Auverland commenced licensed manufacturing of the Cournil 4x4, originally produced in Aurillac (Cantal), beginning in 1984. Parallel licensed production of Cournil vehicles had been underway in Portugal under the UMM name since 1977. In 1986, Auverland launched the updated A3, which remained based on the Cournil design.
The firm faced near collapse due to an unsuccessful venture into civilian vehicle markets. However, in 2001, the newly formed Society of Automotive Auverland (NAAS) redirected its focus toward public service sectors such as law enforcement and firefighting, as well as competitive arenas.
Auverland achieved renewed success with its compact armored vehicle, the "PVP" or A4VL, developed for use by the French Army. In January 2005, PSA divested SCMPL Panhard Auverland.
At that time, ownership was distributed as follows: 76% held by the Cohen family, 10% by Christian Mons, 7% by Pierre Dalmas, and 7% by the Servanin family. In 2005, the company recorded sales of €60 million and employed approximately 300 staff members including those at SCMPL NAAS.
By December 2005, after adopting the name "Panhard General Defense," projections estimated revenues exceeding €95 million for 2006 and €120 million for 2007. Though smaller than major defense corporations, it stood as Europe's foremost manufacturer of armored wheeled vehicles under 10 tons, supported by a strong product portfolio.
In October 2012, Renault Trucks Defense, part of the Swedish Volvo Group since 2001, purchased Panhard for €62.5 million.
Models
- A
- A2
- A3L/A3SL
- A3F
- A4
- A5
- Sovamag TC10
- Sovamag TC24
Foreign production
The Brazilian JPX Montez, produced from 1992 to 2002, was based on the A3 model.
From 1994 to 1996, Czech manufacturer Avia assembled approximately 250 units of the A3 under the name Avia A11 before the Czech Army opted not to adopt it. Meanwhile, Hungarian bus manufacturer Ikarus intended to produce Auverland's A3 and A4 models equipped with Peugeot engines—either a petrol 2.0 L producing 135 PS or diesel and turbodiesel variants of 1.9 L displacement. Three vehicles were assembled experimentally in 2001, with two additional bodies constructed before Ikarus' bankruptcy terminated the initiative.