Lorraine-Dietrich was an automobile and aero-engine manufacturer from 1896 - 1935. They were headquartered at Lunéville in the then-disputed province of Lorraine, which, at the time the marque began the manufacture of cars, was annexed to Germany .

Beginnings

In 1896, railway locomotive manufactureres De Dietrich et Cie branched into the manufacture of automobiles, building Amédée Bollée , Vivinus, and Turcat-Méry cars under licence.

The name of the automotive and aero-engine division was changed to Lorraine-Dietrich in 1908.

Post-World War I

After World War I, with Lorraine restored to France, the entity restarted manufacture of automobiles and aero-engines. Their 12-cylinder aero-engines were used by Breguet, IAR, and Aero, among others. Their inter-war automobile line included the 2,297 cc 12 CV four, the 3,445 cc 15 CV six, and the 6,107 cc 30 CV six.

Le Mans victory

Their 15 CV model won the third and fourth stagings of the Le Mans 24 Hours Race in 1925 and 1926. Lorraine-Dietrich thus became the first marque to win at Le Mans twice and the first to win there in two consecutive years.

Name change

The de Dietrich family sold its share in the company, which became simply known as Lorraine from 1928 on.

End of automobile production

Automobile production eventually became unprofitable for the marque and, after the failure of their 4,086 cc 20 CV model, the concern ceased production of automobiles in 1935. Until World War II, Lorraine concentrated on the military market, manufacturing vehicles such as Lorraine 37L armourer carrier.

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