Cottereau (France) - AllCarIndex

Cottcreau was a French automobile manufacturer founded in 1891 by brothers Louis and Henri Cottcreau in Dijon. Initially, the company focused on producing bicycles until it ventured into the automotive industry in 1898 with the introduction of a light car powered by a 5-horsepower air-cooled V-twin engine. This vehicle was referred to as a "voiturine," a term chosen to distinguish it from the similar term "voiturette" used by competitors.

The early models of Cottcreau featured innovative designs, including a handlebar steering system, which was later replaced by a steering wheel in 1900. The engine output was increased to 9 horsepower, and the company expanded its offerings to include a range of models, such as a Benz-like car with a single-cylinder engine. By 1901, Cottcreau had five models available, including twins with outputs of 5.7 and 9 horsepower, a 5-horsepower single-cylinder model called the Selecta, and a 10-horsepower four-cylinder variant.

From 1901 to 1903, the 5-horsepower Cottcreau was produced under license by E.J. Briere, the Paris agent for the company. The 1902 models featured advancements such as water-cooled cylinder heads and a unique camshaft brake system. Cottcreau's lineup continued to diversify, offering a range of vehicles from a 5-horsepower single to a 16-horsepower four-cylinder model. By 1905, the company employed around 350 workers and produced most of its cars, chassis, and bodies in-house.

The 1906 model year marked the peak of Cottcreau's production, with a wide array of vehicles available, including an 8-horsepower single-cylinder car and several three-cylinder models. Cottcreau cars were noted for their distinctive round radiators and a badge featuring a torch and the Latin phrase "In hoc signo vinces," which was met with mixed reactions from customers. Despite a varied product range, sales began to decline in 1908, leading to the company's acquisition by Constructions Industrielles Dijonnaises in 1910, which subsequently rebranded the vehicles under the name C.L.D.