Mitsubishi Roodepoort | 49 Ontdekkers Rd, Princess Crossing, Roodepoort, 1774, Gauteng

. Louis Renault and his brothers founded their company in 1898. They quickly made a name for themselves in motor racing notching up a string of wins with their voiturettes. The Renault factories adopted mass production techniques in 1905 and Taylorism in 1913. During the first world war, the company turned out trucks, stretchers, ambulances, shells and even the famous FT17 tanks that made a decisive contribution to the final victory. Renault modernized its premises, starting up the first production line at Billancourt in 1929. The firm tried to keep the lid on costs in order to weather the economic crisis. But social conditions deteriorated. Louis considered the second world war and conflict with Germany as a mistake, and he gave in to the demands of the German forces.