Willème
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive, Truck manufacturing |
| Founded | 1923 |
| Founder | Louis Willème |
| Defunct | 1970 |
| Fate | Bankruptcy; assets acquired by PRP (Perez et Raimond Paris) |
| Headquarters | Nanterre , France |
| Products | Heavy-duty trucks, ballast tractors, specialized trucks |
Willème was a French manufacturer known for its specialization in heavy-duty and specialized trucks.
History
Established in 1923 as Ets. Willème S.A. in Nanterre, France, the company was founded by Louis Willème, who previously worked with Automobiles Grégoire. The enterprise produced its inaugural tractor truck in 1930, featuring a substantial GCWR.
In May 1962, an agreement was reached between A.E.C and Willème, whereby A.E.C would provide engines and components for Willème’s heavy-duty trucks, beginning with an initial supply of 500 diesel engines. This partnership also permitted Willème to assemble and market A.E.C medium-duty trucks. By the end of 1962, Willème had expanded its assembly operations to include B.M.C trucks ranging from 1.5 to 7 tons, alongside A.E.C cargo and passenger vehicles, complementing its own heavy truck lineup.
By 1970, difficulties with A.E.C led Willème to discontinue manufacturing their trucks, transitioning instead to utilizing Volvo engines and parts. At the Paris commercial vehicle exhibition that year, Willème unveiled its first 6×4 tipper chassis powered by a Volvo engine coupled with a Fuller 13-speed transmission. However, the company declared bankruptcy in 1970; subsequently, PRP (Perez et Raimond Paris) assumed control. PRP continued production of heavy-duty models such as the TG100, TG200, TG250, and TG300, which were outfitted with engines from Cummins, GM, Caterpillar, and Mercedes-Benz, tailored for substantial payload capacities.
The TG300 represented the firm’s most robust ballast tractor, capable of hauling loads up to 1000 tonnes when paired with appropriate hydraulic modular trailers. The Spanish trailer manufacturer Trobosa adapted several TG300 units specifically for tank transporter duties. In 1979, Belgium’s MOL acquired the design rights for the TG series from PRP and continued manufacturing heavy-duty ballast tractors predominantly in 8x8 configurations equipped with Cummins engines. These vehicles provided towing capacities ranging from 300 to 500 tons for oversized cargo transport. Additionally, in 1980, Creusot-Loire utilized the TG series as a foundation for their T40A military tank transporter—an 8x6 configuration powered by a Detroit Diesel engine paired with a 13-speed Allison gearbox.
Products
Following World War II, Willème concentrated on manufacturing large trucks, tractors, and specialized heavy-duty vehicles such as ballast tractors designed for heavy haulage tasks.
Initial models
The DW12A was utilized by the French military as a tank transporter.
Post-war trucks: S10, L10, and R15
Between 1945 and 1953, these trucks with capacities of 10 and 15 tons, powered by Deutz engines, were offered to the market.
610 and 615 series
These models were produced during the period from 1953 until 1963.
TL and LD series
These trucks came equipped with either AEC or Willème engines.
- The 5741-CG model, fitted with an AEC engine, was promoted as an eight-wheel heavy-duty wrecker.
- Certain variants, such as the W8SA, were modified for use in oilfield operations.
- The RD 6x4 was included within this product lineup.
Willème-PRP
- W200: featured an 8x4 axle arrangement with a gross vehicle weight rating of 245 tons.
- TG200: an 8x4 heavy-hauler engineered to manage loads up to 200 tons.
- TG250: capable of supporting gross weights reaching 250 tonnes.
- TG300: an 8x8 model powered by a Detroit Diesel V16 engine, designed to haul loads up to 1000 tonnes; some units were manufactured under license by Trabosa.
External links
- Video showcasing a restored Willeme TG200 ballast tractor