Germain / Daimler Belge / Panhard Belge (Belgium)

Germain-Daimler Belge was a Belgian automobile manufacturer established in 1898, originating from the Ateliers Germain, which had been founded in 1873 for the production of railway carriages and tramcars. The company acquired the rights to manufacture the Daimler-Phoenix engine and the Panhard-Levassor car from Mme Emile Levassor in late 1897. This acquisition led to the initial models being referred to as Daimler Beige or Panhard Beige.

The first automobile produced by Germain rolled off the assembly line on June 25, 1898. These early vehicles featured 6-horsepower vertical-twin engines and double-chain drive systems, resembling Panhard models. By the end of 1898, production had ramped up to ten cars per month, and the company also began manufacturing the French ELAN voiturette under license. In 1900, Germain introduced a Panhard-derived 12-horsepower four-cylinder car, and by 1901, the lineup included 6 and 8-horsepower twins alongside the 12-horsepower four, all featuring updated designs with longer and lower chassis.

In 1901, Germain expanded its offerings by acquiring a license to produce Renault light cars, which replaced the earlier models. The company continued to build larger vehicles based on Panhard designs until 1904, when it launched a new range known as Germain Standards. These models featured side-valve engines, chain drive, and armored wood frames, with the largest model boasting a capacity of 9,847 cc. By mid-1905, Germain had produced its 1,000th car, with a workforce of 650 employees, half of whom were dedicated to vehicle production.

In 1906, Germain introduced the Chainless model, which utilized shaft drive and a steel frame, distinguishing itself from the earlier Standards with its oval radiator design. The Chainless range expanded over the years, incorporating various four-cylinder engines, including a notable 12,447 cc variant. In 1910, the company launched the Type M, featuring L-head side-valves and monobloc casting. Between 1912 and 1914, Germain also experimented with sleeve-valve engines, sourced from Daimler in Coventry.

Following World War I, Germain did not resume full-scale car production, although a few vehicles were assembled from leftover components until 1922. The company continued its railway work and briefly explored the production of trucks and agricultural tractors in the late 1930s. After World War II, there were considerations to return to car manufacturing, but these plans did not materialize. Germain remained operational until 1967, with its final products including rotary discharge bodies for refuse trucks.