Unic

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Not to be confused with Eunuch.

For other uses, see Unic (disambiguation).

Unic was a French car manufacturer firm founded by Georges Richard in 1906 after having left Richard-Brasier. Société anonyme des automobiles UNIC was established in Puteaux with two-cylinder and four-cylinder models. The 1943 cm³ 12 CV (9 kW) four-cylinder model (used mainly as a taxi) was extremely successful and survived in production for nearly 20 years. (The engine was enlarged later to 2120 cm³.) During World War I, taxis made by the company participated in Marne operation. After WW I, a new four-cylinder (1847 cm³) was offered, along with the taxis.

Truck production started in that era. During the 1920's, a 1997cc sports model was marketed and in some models sleeve valve engines were used. Georges Richard died in 1922. In the 1930's, there were two eight-cylinder models.

Passenger car production ceased in 1938, and from then on Unic concentrated in the truck bussiness, being one of the leading French makes. In 1966 it was taken over by Italian Fiat and eventually merged into Iveco in 1975.

[edit] History

In 1952, the firm was taken over by Simca, headed by Henri Pigozzi, who wanted a commercial vehicle production unit. Trucks of this period are commonly referred to as Unic-Simca trucks.

In 1956 the French arm of the Swiss truck manufacturer Saurer was taken over.

In 1966 Unic joined the Fiat Group.

In 1975 a holding company named IVECO was established covering truck and bus brands such as Fiat, OM, Lancia, UNIC and Magirus.

In 1976 UNIC-FIAT S.A. became UNIC S.A..

In 1992 IVECO UNIC S.A. changed its name to IVECO FRANCE S.A..

In 2003, the company's headquarters moved from Villejuif to Boissy St Léger, where a second facility was established in 1995.