The roots
In the second half of the 19th century, the American manufacturer Benjamin Berkeley Hotchkiss was one of the leading specialists in metal cartridge guns.
The 1867 Universal Exhibition, where he exhibited his products, marked the start of his French expansion. In 1871, the National Defence Government asked him to support the war effort against Prussia by setting up a cartridge factory in France.
The first factory was opened in Viviez, Aveyron. With peace restored, B. B. Hotchkiss to refocus its business on the Paris region.
In 1875, B.B. Hotchkiss chose a large plot of land at ‘le Barrage’.
Despite the death of its founder in 1885, Hotchkiss took root. From 1875 to 1903, the company manufactured artillery equipment.
The 1867 Universal Exhibition, where he exhibited his products, marked the start of his French expansion. In 1871, the National Defence Government asked him to support the war effort against Prussia by setting up a cartridge factory in France.
The first factory was opened in Viviez, Aveyron. With peace restored, B. B. Hotchkiss to refocus its business on the Paris region.
The company moved to Quai de Jemmapes in Paris. These offices soon became insufficient. So the company chose to build a new factory in Saint-Denis. At the gateway to the capital, the old royal city had a number of advantages:
- the Saint-Denis canal, opened to inland waterway traffic in 1821, which connects to Paris via the Saint-Martin canal.
- the roads, complemented in 1843 by railways and then in 1871 by tramways, providing a dense network for transporting people and goods.
- lastly, the presence of a skilled local workforce, some of whom were well versed in the metalworking and general mechanical trades.
- the Saint-Denis canal, opened to inland waterway traffic in 1821, which connects to Paris via the Saint-Martin canal.
- the roads, complemented in 1843 by railways and then in 1871 by tramways, providing a dense network for transporting people and goods.
- lastly, the presence of a skilled local workforce, some of whom were well versed in the metalworking and general mechanical trades.
In 1875, B.B. Hotchkiss chose a large plot of land at ‘le Barrage’.
Despite the death of its founder in 1885, Hotchkiss took root. From 1875 to 1903, the company manufactured artillery equipment.
Diversification into the automobile industry
At the turn of the century, Benjamin Berkeley Hotchkiss's successors felt the need to diversify their production, especially as the arms industry was in a relative slump. Car manufacturing seemed an ideal solution.
In 1903, Hotchkiss brought out its first model, largely inspired by Daimler's Mercedes.
Hotchkiss was one of the first manufacturers in the world to adopt the in-line six-cylinder formula for its most luxurious models.
Within ten years, Hotchkiss cars had won the confidence of a wealthy clientele.
By 1918, Hotchkiss was on a roll. The profits from the manufacture of the well-known machine gun, among other products, allowed the company to look the future with optimism.
The great years of Hotchkiss could now begin..
In 1903, Hotchkiss brought out its first model, largely inspired by Daimler's Mercedes.
Hotchkiss was one of the first manufacturers in the world to adopt the in-line six-cylinder formula for its most luxurious models.
Within ten years, Hotchkiss cars had won the confidence of a wealthy clientele.
By 1918, Hotchkiss was on a roll. The profits from the manufacture of the well-known machine gun, among other products, allowed the company to look the future with optimism.
The great years of Hotchkiss could now begin..
Le temps du juste milieu
Using the new industrial facilities at Boulevard Ornano, completed in 1924, as a starting point, the company implemented a bold policy. And it owed everything to the foresight of the head of the automotive division, Henry Mann Ainsworth.
Without succumbing to the temptation to compete with mass-produced manufacturers such as Citroën, Hotchkiss also wanted to stand out from the specialists in luxury cars.
This "Juste Milieu" policy, embodied in the AM 2, made the firm's fortune until the first half of the 1930s.
The AM 2 four-cylinder car was complemented from 1928 by a six-cylinder model, the AM 80, and Hotchkiss's reputation continued to grow, justified by its irst victory in the Monte Carlo Rally in 1932. Five more were to follow until 1950...
Industrially and commercially, the success was real.
By the mid-1930s, almost four thousand cars were rolling out of the Dionysian workshops every year, embodying the automotive ideal of the French upper class.
Without succumbing to the temptation to compete with mass-produced manufacturers such as Citroën, Hotchkiss also wanted to stand out from the specialists in luxury cars.
This "Juste Milieu" policy, embodied in the AM 2, made the firm's fortune until the first half of the 1930s.
The AM 2 four-cylinder car was complemented from 1928 by a six-cylinder model, the AM 80, and Hotchkiss's reputation continued to grow, justified by its irst victory in the Monte Carlo Rally in 1932. Five more were to follow until 1950...
Industrially and commercially, the success was real.
By the mid-1930s, almost four thousand cars were rolling out of the Dionysian workshops every year, embodying the automotive ideal of the French upper class.
The hard times
The economic crisis and the rising tide of danger undermined this serenity.
In 1936, the nationalization of the arms industry was experienced as a real dispossession, coupled with concern, by the managers of a company whose financial balance was now precarious.
In 1938, the launch of the Amilcar Compound, a light front-wheel-drive car designed by Jean-Albert Grégoire, demonstrated the company's determination to win over new buyers.
However, the rearmament policy forced Hotchkiss to increasingly turn towards the manufacture of military vehicles.
During the Occupation, the company's fortunes took a decisive turn. Circumstances led Peugeot to acquire a major stake in the Saint-Denis-based manufacturer. Hotchkiss lost the independence it had always enjoyed.
In 1936, the nationalization of the arms industry was experienced as a real dispossession, coupled with concern, by the managers of a company whose financial balance was now precarious.
In 1938, the launch of the Amilcar Compound, a light front-wheel-drive car designed by Jean-Albert Grégoire, demonstrated the company's determination to win over new buyers.
However, the rearmament policy forced Hotchkiss to increasingly turn towards the manufacture of military vehicles.
During the Occupation, the company's fortunes took a decisive turn. Circumstances led Peugeot to acquire a major stake in the Saint-Denis-based manufacturer. Hotchkiss lost the independence it had always enjoyed.
The sad post-war years
The company did not return to the production of passenger cars until 1946..
Closely derived from the pre-war models, the 13 and 20 bhp models came out at a slow pace, while Hotchkiss gained a foothold in the HGV market with the PL 20 truck.
In 1949, the signing of the contract committing the company to the manufacture of the Grégoire R prototype seemed to indicate that the future of the firm lay in the Hotchkiss-Grégoire. It was produced alongside the Hotchkiss Anjou from 1951 to 1954. Unfortunately, this venture ended in an industrial and commercial fiasco, revealing the weaknesses of a company ill-adapted to modern production techniques.
In danger for a while, the company was reorganised from 1952, as Peugeot began to pull out.
After merging with Delahaye, in 1954 the new management decided to abandon the manufacture of passenger cars. Hotchkiss-Delahaye was now a manufacturer of trucks, Jeeps and special machines, whose survival depended on new alliances.
1956 saw the birth of the Hotchkiss-Brandt group, which merged ten years later with Thomson-Houston. From then on, the Hotchkiss name gradually disappeared...
Closely derived from the pre-war models, the 13 and 20 bhp models came out at a slow pace, while Hotchkiss gained a foothold in the HGV market with the PL 20 truck.
In 1949, the signing of the contract committing the company to the manufacture of the Grégoire R prototype seemed to indicate that the future of the firm lay in the Hotchkiss-Grégoire. It was produced alongside the Hotchkiss Anjou from 1951 to 1954. Unfortunately, this venture ended in an industrial and commercial fiasco, revealing the weaknesses of a company ill-adapted to modern production techniques.
In danger for a while, the company was reorganised from 1952, as Peugeot began to pull out.
After merging with Delahaye, in 1954 the new management decided to abandon the manufacture of passenger cars. Hotchkiss-Delahaye was now a manufacturer of trucks, Jeeps and special machines, whose survival depended on new alliances.
1956 saw the birth of the Hotchkiss-Brandt group, which merged ten years later with Thomson-Houston. From then on, the Hotchkiss name gradually disappeared...
The Hotchkiss Club, a living memory
On 1 January 1971, Automobiles Hotchkiss became part of the Thomson-Houston-Hotchkiss-Brandt group. By this time, interest in the company's automotive products was already strong among enthusiasts.
Two years later, it led to the creation of the Hotchkiss Club by a group of enthusiasts.
Forty-six years later, the Club has grown and prospered. With 350 members from all over the world, it keeps the memory of the Saint-Denis marque alive.
Two years later, it led to the creation of the Hotchkiss Club by a group of enthusiasts.
Forty-six years later, the Club has grown and prospered. With 350 members from all over the world, it keeps the memory of the Saint-Denis marque alive.