Charron (France) - AllCarIndex

Automobiles Charron Ltd was a French automobile manufacturer that operated from 1907 to 1930. The company was established following the dissolution of a partnership that had previously produced vehicles under the C.G.V. brand. After being recapitalized in London, the firm adopted the name Charron, named after one of its founders, Fernand Charron, who had a brief tenure with the company before leaving in 1908 to join Clement-Bayard.

In its early years, Charron offered a range of vehicles that mirrored the specifications of C.G.V. models, including a notable 75 horsepower vehicle in 1907. However, by 1908, the company shifted its focus to more manageable models, introducing the 30 horsepower variant, which was available with either chain or shaft drive. The smallest model in the lineup was an 8 horsepower vertical twin, which featured a dashboard radiator inspired by Renault's design. This radiator style became standard across the Charron range by 1909, coinciding with the introduction of new engine designs that replaced the earlier T-head configurations with more modern L-heads.

Charron expanded its offerings with the introduction of its first six-cylinder model in 1910, the 30 horsepower variant, which gained popularity and remained in production until 1913. The company also produced a 12 horsepower chain-driven model, although larger chain-driven vehicles from the C.G.V. era continued to be available until 1912. A significant addition to the lineup was the Charronette, a small four-cylinder car introduced in 1914, which found a favorable reception in the British market. Post-World War I, the Charronette's engine was enlarged, and design updates included relocating the radiator to the front.

Throughout the 1920s, Charron introduced various models, including front-wheel brakes in 1925 and a six-cylinder model in the same year. By this time, the company had transitioned to overhead valves across its range. The final model produced was a small six-cylinder vehicle in 1930, which marked the end of Charron's operations as the company faced declining business and ultimately ceased production.