Audibert & Lavirotte
Audibert & Lavirotte was an early French automobile manufacturer based in Lyon that produced cars from 1896 until 1901.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Audibert & Lavirotte was a pioneering French automobile manufacturer established in Lyon by Maurice Audibert and Emile Lavirotte. It is regarded as the oldest automobile maker associated with the city. The business emerged during the formative years of the motor industry, when manufacturers were adapting mechanical ideas from early European pioneers into commercially usable vehicles. The company’s automobiles were generally similar in layout and engineering concept to contemporary Benz vehicles. Its cars used rear-mounted engines and belt drive, and early models were rated at outputs of up to approximately 6 horsepower. These specifications placed Audibert & Lavirotte among the many small manufacturers experimenting with lightweight petrol-powered road vehicles at the end of the nineteenth century. The company also produced a vehicle known as the Berline de Voyage, which may have been one of the earliest examples of a saloon or enclosed passenger car, possibly dating from as early as 1898. Audibert & Lavirotte also pursued competition as a means of demonstrating engineering capability. In 1900, it constructed three racing cars rated at 36 horsepower. The cars were entered in the Nice–Salon–Nice race held on 25 March 1901. At more than 1,600 kilograms each, they were the heaviest vehicles in the event, illustrating both the ambition of the company’s racing program and the substantial construction of its cars relative to competitors. Despite these engineering and sporting activities, the business was unable to continue production. Its factory was forced to close in November 1901 after financiers failed to provide the expected payments. The company therefore ended automobile production after only a short manufacturing run. In 1902, the plant was taken over by Marius Berliet, another important figure in Lyon’s automotive history. Emile Lavirotte helped finance the takeover and subsequently worked for Berliet until retiring in 1927. Maurice Audibert moved to Rochet-Schneider and remained connected with the local automobile industry until his death in 1931. Audibert & Lavirotte is consequently remembered less as a surviving consumer brand than as an early regional automobile manufacturer. Its significance lies in its place in Lyon’s industrial history, its early rear-engine and belt-drive cars, its possible contribution to the development of the saloon-car format, and its participation in one of the era’s early automobile races.
History
Audibert & Lavirotte was founded in Lyon by Maurice Audibert and Emile Lavirotte during the first generation of French automobile manufacturing. The existing record places the establishment in 1894, while automobile production is documented from 1896. The company is described as the oldest automobile maker in Lyon, a city that later became an important center of French vehicle production. Its cars followed a broadly Benz-like engineering approach. Early vehicles used rear-mounted engines and belt transmission, with outputs reaching approximately 6 horsepower. The company’s range included conventional early motor cars as well as the Berline de Voyage, an enclosed passenger vehicle that may have anticipated the saloon-car body style as early as 1898. Such vehicles show the manufacturer’s interest not only in propulsion systems but also in passenger accommodation and practical road use. Audibert & Lavirotte also developed more powerful cars for competition. Three 36 horsepower racing automobiles were built in 1900 and entered the Nice–Salon–Nice race on 25 March 1901. Their weight exceeded 1,600 kilograms each, making them the heaviest cars in the field. The entry demonstrated the company’s technical ambition, although it did not establish a lasting competitive program. The company’s commercial position deteriorated in 1901. Financiers failed to make payments, and the resulting financial pressure forced the factory to close in November. Automobile production ended after roughly five years. The plant was taken over by Marius Berliet in 1902. Lavirotte helped finance the transaction and joined Berliet, where he remained employed until retiring in 1927. Audibert moved to Rochet-Schneider and died in 1931. The marque is now defunct, but it occupies a notable place in the history of French motoring. Its importance derives from its early Lyon manufacturing base, rear-engine and belt-drive construction, possible early saloon body, and participation in the transition from experimental motor vehicles to organized automobile production and racing.
- 1902
Factory passes to Marius Berliet
[1]Marius Berliet takes over the former Audibert & Lavirotte plant, with financial assistance from Emile Lavirotte.
- 1901
Racing entry and production closure
[1]Three cars compete in the Nice–Salon–Nice race on 25 March. Production ends in November after financing payments fail and the factory closes.
- 1900
Three 36 hp racing cars are built
[1]Audibert & Lavirotte constructs three high-powered racing cars rated at 36 horsepower.
- 1898
Berline de Voyage appears
[1]The company produces the Berline de Voyage, which may have been among the earliest saloon-type passenger cars.
- 1896
Automobile production begins
[1]The company begins manufacturing automobiles, using rear-mounted engines and belt drive in cars broadly similar to contemporary Benz designs.
- 1894
Company established in Lyon
[1]Maurice Audibert and Emile Lavirotte establish the automobile venture in Lyon.
Products and positioning
An early French automobile manufacturer focused on experimental and practical petrol-powered vehicles, with additional visibility through high-powered racing cars.
Passenger automobiles · 1896
Early production automobiles
Audibert & Lavirotte manufactured early petrol-powered cars broadly comparable in concept to Benz vehicles. The cars used rear-mounted engines and belt drive, with documented outputs of up to approximately 6 horsepower. They represent the company’s principal road-car activity during its short production period from 1896 to 1901.
Enclosed passenger automobile · 1898
Berline de Voyage
The Berline de Voyage was an enclosed passenger vehicle associated with Audibert & Lavirotte. It may date from as early as 1898 and is sometimes regarded as a possible early example of a saloon car. Its significance is primarily historical, reflecting the emergence of body styles designed for protected, practical passenger travel rather than open experimental motoring.
Competition automobile · 1900
36 hp racing cars
Three racing cars rated at 36 horsepower were built in 1900. They were entered in the Nice–Salon–Nice race in March 1901 and weighed more than 1,600 kilograms each, making them the heaviest vehicles in the event. The cars illustrated the company’s attempt to use motor racing to demonstrate high-output engineering.
Brand decisions
1902
Transfer of the factory to Marius BerlietM&ABackground
After Audibert & Lavirotte stopped production, its Lyon facility became available for takeover.
Action taken
Marius Berliet took over the plant, with Emile Lavirotte helping to finance the transaction.
Aftermath
Lavirotte joined Berliet and remained there until his retirement in 1927.
1901
Close the Lyon factoryOtherBackground
The company faced a financing failure when financiers did not provide expected payments.
Action taken
Audibert & Lavirotte ceased production and shut the factory in November 1901.
Aftermath
The plant was taken over by Marius Berliet in 1902, ending the Audibert & Lavirotte manufacturing operation.
Recent events
- 1902
Marius Berliet takes over the Audibert & Lavirotte plant[1]
M&A
Following the end of Audibert & Lavirotte production, Marius Berliet acquired or took over the Lyon plant. Emile Lavirotte assisted with financing the transaction.
- 1901
Audibert & Lavirotte production ends after factory closure[1]
Bankruptcy
Automobile production ceased in November 1901 after financiers failed to make expected payments, forcing the Lyon factory to shut down.
- 1901
Audibert & Lavirotte enters three racing cars in the Nice–Salon–Nice event[1]
Other
Three 36 hp cars built in 1900 competed in the Nice–Salon–Nice race on 25 March 1901. Each weighed more than 1,600 kilograms, making them the heaviest vehicles in the event.
Sources1 sources
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