De Dion-Bouton
France.
De Dion-Bouton was one of the most influential pioneers of the early automobile industry.
Founded in 1882 in France by the aristocrat Count Albert de Dion, engineer Georges Bouton, and mechanic Charles Trépardoux, the company began by producing steam vehicles—light steam tractors designed to pull carriages. By the late 1880s, De Dion-Bouton had already gained a reputation for engineering precision and reliability.
A major turning point came in 1895, when the firm shifted from steam to petrol-powered engines. Georges Bouton developed a small, high-revving single-cylinder engine that became famous worldwide for its durability and smoothness. This compact power plant was licensed to hundreds of manufacturers and played a central role in spreading motorization across Europe and beyond.
By the early 1900s, De Dion-Bouton had become the largest automobile manufacturer in the world, offering voiturettes, touring cars, taxis, and commercial vehicles. The company was also responsible for the De Dion rear axle, a suspension design that improved handling and remained influential for decades.
Despite its early success, De Dion-Bouton struggled after World War I as the market shifted and competition intensified. Passenger car production ended in the 1930s, though the company continued building commercial vehicles until the 1950s and engines until the early 1960s.
Today, De Dion-Bouton is remembered as a pioneering force in automotive history, shaping engine design, vehicle architecture, and the global spread of motor transport during the industry’s earliest and most innovative years.
1906 De Dion-Bouton AL Populaire.
Tonneau-bodywork with a small rear door. The “alligator” bonnet would soon inspire Renault, and it would become their trademark up until the end of the ‘20s. De Dion-Bouton not only built cars, but also supplied engines to more than 50 manufacturers. In 1900 they already produced 20,000 engines and in 1903 more than 30,000. They also filed a patent on a tourist guide, which they later sold to Michelin. This vehicle was photographed at Autoworld in Brussels, Belgium.
1913 De Dion-Bouton Torpedo Type DX.
The DX was one of the last models brought out before World War I, during which the company produced military equipment.
1906 DeDion Bouton BO.
1899 De Dion-Bouton.
