Renault Taxi de la Marne
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | February 25, 1899 in France |
| Headquarters | Billancourt , France |
| Products | Automobiles, including Renault Type AG taxi |
The Renault Type AG, also referred to as the Renault Taxi de la Marne or simply Marne Taxi, is a hackney carriage manufactured by the French company Renault between 1905 and 1910. The nickname "Taxi de la Marne" originated during World War I when the French Army commandeered Parisian taxis to transport troops to the First Battle of the Marne in September 1914. This model marked Renault's initial venture into taxi production.
Production and sales
Following the death of Marcel Renault in 1903, the Type AG was among five models introduced as the company's first posthumous releases. Its assembly was conducted at Renault's plant located in Billancourt.
In 1905, a car rental firm based in Paris placed an order for 1,500 units, influenced by the advent of the taximeter, which automated fare measurement. By 1907, sales had surpassed 3,000 vehicles, including shipments abroad to markets such as Argentina, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Roughly 1,100 of these automobiles operated as taxis within London.
First Battle of the Marne
Prior to the outbreak of WWI, Paris boasted a taxi fleet exceeding 10,000 vehicles; however, by September 1914, only about 3,000 remained in service. A significant portion of these were Renault Type AGs managed by the G7 taxi company. These cars gained historical significance for their role in ferrying soldiers during the First Battle of the Marne from September 6 to 8.
The French Army's 62nd Division required nearly 1,200 taxis to transport approximately 6,000 troops from a railway station on Paris’s outskirts to frontline positions. On September 6, General Gallieni organized around 600 taxis at Les Invalides, which then conveyed soldiers some fifty kilometers to Nanteuil-le-Haudouin. Departing overnight in two convoys, each taxi accommodated five soldiers. Drivers adhered to strict operational guidelines and were compensated based on distance traveled, which encouraged competitive efforts among them. Most vehicles were released by September 8; however, some continued to assist with moving wounded personnel and refugees. City regulations mandated that meters remain active during trips; consequently, total fares amounting to 70,012 francs were reimbursed by the French government. In total, taxis transported close to 4,000 men—approximately five battalions—to the battlefront.
Although their contribution was limited compared to troop movements via railways, these Marne taxis became an enduring emblem of French determination and served to elevate morale among both soldiers and civilians throughout WWI.