Charron, Girardot et Voigt

Charron, Girardot et Voigt
	File:Charron Limited Front mit Firmenzeichen.jpg
Company type	Ltd.
Founded	1906
Defunct	1930
Headquarters	Puteaux, France
Key people	Fernand Charron
Products	Automobiles

Charron was a French car manufacturer operating near Paris from 1906 until 1930.^[1]

Although Automobiles Charron Limited was formally established in 1906 with considerable British capital, its origins go back to 1901 with the creation of Automobiles Charron, Girardot et Voigt (C.G.V.).

Fernand Charron

Born in 1866, Fernand Charron shifted from a distinguished cycling career during the 1890s to become a leading racing driver, securing multiple victories behind the wheel of a Panhard in 1898.^[1]

Automobiles Charron, Girardot et Voigt (CGV)

Automobiles Charron, Girardot & Voigt SA (C.G.V.) was established by cyclists and automobile enthusiasts Fernand Charron, Léonce Girardot, and Émile Voigt.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag

During this era, Fernand Charron's direct involvement with his eponymous marque diminished. In 1908 he accepted a position as factory manager at Clément-Bayard in Levallois-Perret and married Jeanne Clément-Bayard (later divorced). Prior to World War I, he considered selling the Puteaux facility but ultimately repurposed it to manufacture cars for Alda—a company he founded in 1912.^[1]

The continuation of military contracts during World War I provided crucial support that kept Charron's operations viable throughout the conflict.

After the war

Following World War I, Charron sold Alda in 1920 to Compagnie Générale d'Électricité (CGE), which maintained production of Alda-branded automobiles at the Farman facility for roughly one year.

Charron redirected his efforts toward his own marque, presenting seven models by 1919, although the exact production volume remained unclear; by 1920, the range was reduced to three models.

During the 1920s, Charron operated among many automakers based around Paris. By the time of the 19th Paris Motor Show, his product offerings had diminished as he increasingly concentrated on a recently acquired Citroën dealership. He also acquired a substantial stake in Citroën, whose mass production techniques posed growing challenges to smaller manufacturers such as Charron.

As the decade progressed, industry consolidation and scale efficiencies placed smaller companies under pressure. Confronted with stiff competition from larger French automobile producers, Charron ended vehicle manufacturing after 1930.

Pre-war

In 1908, Charron launched its own vehicle models, although some types from Charron, Girardot et Voigt remained listed until 1912. The range included a large 6782 cc 30 hp model and a smaller 8 hp 1205 cc twin-cylinder. All vehicles featured shaft drive; the small 8 hp model incorporated a dashboard radiator design inspired by Renault, which was adopted across the lineup by 1909.

In 1910, a six-cylinder 3617 cc 30 hp model was introduced, followed by the debut of a compact 845 cc Charronette in 1914.

1919 Motor Show

At the 15th Paris Motor Show held in October 1919, Charron presented only two models:

The 6 HP "Charron Type TC," an updated version of the prewar Charronette, equipped with a 1057 cc four-cylinder engine and a wheelbase.
The 15 HP "Charron Type PGM," powered by a 3392 cc four-cylinder engine and featuring a wheelbase.

Furthermore, the forthcoming "Charron Type A" was announced for release in 1920, fitted with a 2995 cc four-cylinder engine and a wheelbase.

1924 Motor Show

By 1924, Charron's focus was on smaller "light cars." The prewar-designed 1057 cc (6/8 HP) Charronette persisted alongside the 1502 cc (10 HP) "Charron Type CV2" and the 1843 cc (12/14 HP) "Charron Type CV1." While prices were generally available upon request, the "Type TD / Charonnette" was priced at 16,000 francs for a Torpedo body and 18,000 francs for a Conduite intérieure sedan. Although competitively priced, these vehicles lacked contemporary styling and features.

Later years

Four-wheel braking systems were introduced in 1925. By its final production year in 1930, the lineup comprised the enduring 12/14CV model from 1925, an enlarged version of the Charronette, and a six-cylinder variant with an 1806 cc engine.

Motor-boats

In May 1905, Madame Camille du Gast participated in the trans-Mediterranean race from Algiers to Toulon aboard the steel-hulled Camille, which was powered by a specially constructed 90-horsepower engine from Charron, Girardot et Voigt designed specifically for this competition.