Automobiles ERAD
Automobiles ERAD was a French manufacturer of lightweight microcars, including petrol, diesel and electric models, produced mainly from the late 1970s through 1997.
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Overview
Automobiles ERAD, short for Études et Réalisations du Douaisis, was a French manufacturer of microcars based in the Douai area of northern France. Founded by Daniel Renard in 1975, the company grew out of a small garage that Renard had opened in Douai in 1967. Before establishing ERAD, he built a three-wheeled miniature car in his spare time. A report in a local newspaper attracted interest from a reader who commissioned another vehicle, helping turn Renard's experimental work into a commercial enterprise. ERAD initially concentrated on compact, inexpensive vehicles intended for short-distance transport. Series production began in 1978 after the company moved from its original Douai premises to a larger facility in nearby Aniche. The business reached meaningful scale for a specialist microcar producer: approximately 2,400 vehicles were built in 1979 and 2,640 in 1980. Across its existence, total production was reported at about 30,000 vehicles, including approximately 800 electric vehicles. The company's first major model was the Capucine, a small plastic-bodied car that began as a single-seater and later evolved into two-seat, convertible, four-seat and accessibility-oriented variants. It was offered with a range of small petrol and diesel engines, including units supplied by Sachs, Motobécane, BCB, Farymann and Petters. The Capucine's lightweight construction and compact dimensions reflected the practical and regulatory niche occupied by European voiturettes and other low-speed vehicles. An adapted version enabled wheelchair access through a large side-opening rear door and a ramp. ERAD expanded its range during the 1980s and early 1990s. The Midget, introduced in 1982, was a small, low-volume replica-inspired roadster with leaf-sprung axles and petrol or diesel power. The Junior followed in 1988 as a low-priced model distinguished by a large forward-folding door incorporating the roof and by headlamps sourced from the Peugeot 205. The Spacia, introduced in 1990, adopted styling reminiscent of the Renault Twingo and could be equipped with diesel or electric propulsion. The final new ERAD model was the two-seat Agora, presented in 1993. ERAD's production ended in 1997 after financial difficulties associated with the misappropriation of company funds by a manager. The Aniche factory was acquired by Savel, a newly created company. Savel was later liquidated in 2002. Daniel Renard had already established a new business, SECMA, in 1995, and subsequently regained most of his former firm's assets, incorporating them into SECMA. SECMA has continued to support ERAD vehicles with parts. ERAD is therefore historically notable as an independent French microcar specialist whose product portfolio covered basic commuter cars, disability-adapted vehicles, recreational models and early electric variants.
History
Automobiles ERAD was created by Daniel Renard in 1975 in Douai, in France's Nord region. Its name represented Études et Réalisations du Douaisis, referring to the Douai district. The company emerged from Renard's practical engineering work rather than from an established automotive group. He had opened a small garage in Douai in 1967 and later constructed a three-wheeled microcar in his spare time. A local newspaper article about the vehicle generated enough attention for a reader to order another example, encouraging Renard to commercialize the concept. ERAD moved into series production in 1978 after transferring operations to larger premises in Aniche. Its products occupied the French microcar and voiturette niche: vehicles were small, light and mechanically simple, and were aimed at local mobility rather than conventional long-distance motoring. The company used plastic bodywork on its early Capucine and sourced compact engines from several specialist suppliers. Production reportedly approached 2,400 vehicles in 1979 and reached about 2,640 in 1980, demonstrating that ERAD had become a substantial specialist manufacturer rather than merely a garage operation. The Capucine formed the foundation of the range. The original vehicle was a very small single-seater, but later versions provided two seats and a modest luggage compartment. Front-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive configurations were available. Powertrains included a Sachs 47 cc two-stroke engine, a Motobécane 50 cc two-stroke design, a 123 cc BCB engine and a 290 cc Farymann diesel. Later Capucine variants used Petters AC1 diesel engines. ERAD also developed a handicap version with a large side-opening rear section and a ramp for wheelchair access. A 1984 facelift expanded the family with convertible and four-seat versions. ERAD experimented with models beyond the basic commuter car. The Midget appeared in 1982 as a compact replica-inspired vehicle with live, leaf-sprung axles, drum brakes and either a 125 cc two-stroke petrol engine or a 600 cc diesel. Its production was extremely limited, with only 24 examples reported. In 1988 the company introduced the Junior, a low-price design whose most recognizable feature was a single large forward-folding door that also included the roof structure. Its headlights were taken from the Peugeot 205. The Spacia, launched in 1990, adopted a more contemporary appearance similar to the Renault Twingo. It could be fitted with diesel engines of up to 505 cc or an electric motor, illustrating ERAD's continuing interest in both conventional small-displacement propulsion and electrification. The final new model was the two-seat Agora, presented in 1993. Despite its varied product range, ERAD later encountered serious financial problems. Production ended in 1997 after company funds were misappropriated by a manager. The Aniche factory was purchased by Savel, a newly established company. Daniel Renard had founded SECMA in 1995, and when Savel was liquidated in 2002 he was able to recover most of the former ERAD business's assets and reincorporate them into SECMA. SECMA has continued to offer parts for ERAD vehicles, preserving some after-sales support for the marque. Total ERAD production is estimated at approximately 30,000 vehicles, around 800 of them electric, although the precise model-by-model breakdown is not established in the available reference material.
- 2002
Savel is liquidated
[1]Following Savel's liquidation, Renard recovered most of the former ERAD firm's assets through SECMA.
- 1997
ERAD production ends
[1]Production stopped following financial misconduct and the sale of the factory to Savel.
- 1995
Daniel Renard establishes SECMA
[1]Renard started SECMA before ERAD's eventual production shutdown.
- 1993
Agora is presented
[1]The two-seat Agora became ERAD's last newly presented model.
- 1990
Spacia is launched
[1]ERAD introduced the Spacia with diesel and electric versions.
- 1988
Junior is launched
[1]The Junior was introduced as a distinctive low-cost microcar.
- 1984
Capucine receives a facelift
[1]The Capucine was updated and expanded with convertible and four-seat variants.
- 1982
Midget joins the range
[1]ERAD introduced the low-volume Midget recreational microcar.
- 1981
Additional Capucine powertrains are introduced
[1]The Capucine range expanded to include a 123 cc petrol engine and a 290 cc diesel engine.
- 1978
Series production begins in Aniche
[1]ERAD started series production after moving to larger premises in Aniche.
Products and positioning
An independent French microcar manufacturer focused on lightweight, inexpensive and maneuverable vehicles for urban, local and specialist transport, with additional emphasis on accessibility and alternative powertrains.
Microcar
Capucine
ERAD's foundational model began as a lightweight plastic-bodied single-seater and later became a broader family of two-seat, four-seat and convertible microcars. It used front- or rear-wheel drive and a succession of very small petrol and diesel engines. A specialized handicap version featured a large side-opening rear section and a ramp for wheelchair access. The Capucine was updated in 1984.
Recreational microcar · 1982
Midget
Introduced in 1982, the Midget was a 2.7-metre-long microcar styled as a small replica of the 1936 MG Midget. It used live leaf-sprung axles at both ends and drum brakes. Buyers could choose a 125 cc two-stroke petrol engine or a 600 cc diesel. Production was highly limited, with only 24 vehicles reported.
Low-cost microcar · 1988
Junior
The Junior was introduced in 1988 as an inexpensive, visually distinctive microcar. Its principal structural feature was a single forward-folding door forming a large unit with the roof. The model also used headlights sourced from the Peugeot 205.
Microcar · 1990
Spacia
Launched in 1990, the Spacia adopted styling comparable to the Renault Twingo. It was available with diesel engines of up to 505 cc as well as an electric motor, making it one of ERAD's clearest examples of an alternative-powertrain product.
Two-seat microcar · 1993
Agora
The Agora was a two-seat model presented in 1993 and represented the last new car associated with ERAD before production ended.
Controversies
Brand decisions
1997
End production and sell the Aniche factoryOtherBackground
Financial problems followed the misappropriation of company funds by a manager.
Action taken
ERAD ended production and its factory was sold to the newly created Savel company.
Aftermath
Savel was later liquidated, after which Daniel Renard recovered most of the former firm's assets through SECMA.
1990
Introduce the Spacia with an electric optionProduct launchBackground
ERAD was broadening its microcar range while experimenting with propulsion systems beyond small petrol and diesel engines.
Action taken
The company launched the Spacia with diesel powertrains and an electric-motor version.
Aftermath
The Spacia became one of the brand's principal late-period models, but ERAD production ultimately ended in 1997.
Sources1 sources
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