Rochet-Schneider
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1894 |
| Founder | Edouard Rochet, Théophile Schneider |
| Defunct | 1932 |
| Headquarters | Lyon , France |
| Products | Automobiles, commercial vehicles |
Rochet-Schneider was a French car manufacturer located in Lyon, active from 1894 until 1932. The company’s marketing highlighted qualities such as "strength, simplicity and silence," catering to wealthy clientele with luxury automobiles that featured brass accents, elaborately tooled leather, and finely crafted wooden elements.
Early period
In 1894, Edouard Rochet and his father shifted from building bicycles to producing automobiles, joining forces with Théophile Schneider, who was connected to the notable Schneider family known for armaments. From 1895 through 1901, the firm manufactured approximately 240 single-cylinder vehicles modeled after Benz designs. By the time of the 1901 Paris Salon, they had introduced both two- and four-cylinder engines, which were subsequently redesigned around 1903 to bear resemblance to Mercedes models.
Rochet-Schneider Ltd.
By 1904, Rochet-Schneider had gained considerable prestige within France and was sold for 4.5 million francs to establish the London-based company "Rochet-Schneider Ltd." Despite an annual output of fewer than 250 cars, financial troubles resulted in the company’s liquidation by late 1907.
Carburateurs Zenith
Théophile Schneider regained control of the firm and founded the subsidiary "Société du carburateur Zénith," continuing production of premium automobiles and commercial vehicles.
Post war
Following World War I, Rochet-Schneider offered models with 12, 18, and 30 horsepower ratings. By 1923, all vehicles were equipped with newly engineered overhead valve engines and were available with a variety of coachwork styles.
At the 20th Paris Motor Show in October 1926, Rochet-Schneider presented a range of five models with chassis prices as follows:
- 12CV: four-cylinder side-valve engine, , priced at 42,000 francs
- 14CV: four-cylinder side-valve engine, , priced at 55,000 francs
- 18CV: four-cylinder side-valve engine, , priced at 50,000 francs
- 20CV: six-cylinder side-valve engine, , priced at 79,000 francs
- 30CV: six-cylinder side-valve engine, , priced at 67,000 francs
Starting in the mid-1920s, the company increasingly concentrated on commercial vehicle manufacturing while still producing passenger cars. At the October 1931 Paris Motor Show (the 25th edition), Rochet-Schneider unveiled its last new model: the robust 26CV featuring a large six-cylinder engine of roughly five liters displacement, dual ignition system, and servo-assisted brakes.
Ultimately, Rochet-Schneider was absorbed by Berliet, another Lyon-based firm recognized for locomotives and commercial vehicles in the post-World War II period.
Production models
- Rochet-Schneider 30/35
Examples
A Rochet-Schneider automobile from 1900 is displayed at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum located in Brookline, Massachusetts.
External links
- Articles with short description
- Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1894
- 1900s cars
- 1910s cars
- 1920s cars
- Brass Era vehicles
- Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of France
- Motor vehicle manufacturers based in Lyon
- Vehicle manufacturing companies disestablished in 1932
- French companies established in 1894
- 1932 disestablishments in France
- Truck manufacturers of France