Brouhot (France) - AllCarIndex

Brouhot et Cic was a French automobile manufacturer founded by Charles Brouhot in 1898, located in Vierzon, Cher. Initially established as an agricultural engineering business, Brouhot's company produced threshing machines and stationary engines that operated on various fuels, including petrol, paraffin, and alcohol. The automobile division was created to explore the burgeoning automotive market, leading to the development of their first vehicle featuring a 3-horsepower single-cylinder engine mounted at the rear.

The early models of Brouhot cars included improvements such as a 2-cylinder engine with outputs of either 5 or 7 horsepower, electric ignition, and a four-speed gearbox. These advancements were showcased at the Salon du Cycle in Paris in 1898. By 1902, the engine design evolved, moving to the front of the vehicle in the 7-horsepower single-cylinder voiturctte. Brouhot expanded its offerings in 1903 to include larger models with 10-horsepower twin and 15 to 20-horsepower four-cylinder engines, as well as a notable 40-horsepower racing car designed for the Paris-Madrid race, which tragically ended in a fatal accident.

Throughout its production years, Brouhot cars were recognized for their quality, comparable to renowned manufacturers such as De Dietrich and Delaunay-Belleville. The company introduced various engine sizes and configurations, including a 60-horsepower model in 1906, although sales were limited due to high prices. Brouhot also marketed vehicles in the UK under the names Club and Smart. The company diversified its product line to include forward-control commercial vehicles and introduced a unique voiturette with a transverse crankshaft in 1908, although this model did not resonate with traditional customers.

Car production ceased in 1911 as Brouhot faced increasing competition from larger manufacturers and chose to refocus on its agricultural roots. The company declared bankruptcy in 1914 following the failure of an Argentine associate and was subsequently acquired by the Société Française de Vierzon, which continued to produce agricultural machinery until 1959.