Teilhol

Teilhol was a French automobile manufacturer established in 1958 by Raoul Teilhol under the name ACL, short for Ateliers de Construction du Livradois. The company operated from the Auvergne region, with its headquarters in Courpière and later production and workshop activity in Ambert and Arlanc. Its early business was based largely on specialist vehicle construction and component work rather than on a broad independent passenger-car range. During the early 1970s, ACL developed a partnership with Renault. Initially, this involved supplying parts for Renault vehicles, including raised roofs for the Estafette van. The relationship expanded into vehicle production when Teilhol manufactured Renault 4 pickup variants and became involved in Renault’s response to the growing popularity of lightweight beach and leisure vehicles such as the Citroën Méhari. Teilhol designed and produced the Renault Rodeo 4, Rodeo 6, and later Rodeo 5. These vehicles used Renault-derived mechanical components and shared a practical, open-bodied concept suited to recreational and utility use. Early vehicles carried both Renault and ACL or Teilhol identification, although later examples no longer displayed the ACL or Teilhol logos. The Renault contract and the popularity of the Rodeo vehicles helped Teilhol expand its facilities and workforce. The company also pursued a separate small-vehicle strategy through TVE, or Teilhol Véhicules Electrique. Its best-known electric product was the Citadine, introduced in 1972. This compact three-wheeled vehicle accommodated two people and had an approximately 50-kilometre range. It was intended for short-distance urban or local travel and was visually comparable in concept to small bubble-style cars. The Citadine platform was developed into several specialized variants, including the four-wheeled Handicar for wheelchair users and the small Citacom flatbed utility vehicle. TVE also produced the Messagette, which offered a reported range of up to 100 kilometres and was aimed at recreational and local transport. Some Messagette vehicles were adapted for airport service work, alongside Citacoms. In 1978, the company was renamed Teilhol in recognition of its founder. The electric microcar program remained relatively small: the Citadine and related models reportedly sold only a few hundred units. In the early 1980s, Teilhol therefore moved toward more conventional petrol- and diesel-powered microcars. The Simply, introduced in 1981, was a four-wheeled compact vehicle offered initially with 49 cc and 125 cc engines in T50 and T125 forms. Later diesel derivatives included the 325, 400D, TD, and TLX versions. Teilhol’s historical importance lies in its role as a specialist French constructor and Renault production partner. Its activities combined contract manufacturing, vehicle-body and component production, leisure vehicles, accessible transport, electric microcars, and small conventional cars. The available reference material does not establish a precise date for the end of the original manufacturer’s operations or a current corporate owner. In 2006, however, the company 2CA, or Concept Composites Auvergne, began producing parts for Teilhol cars again, and the Arlanc facility continued to be associated with Teilhol component production. Raoul Teilhol died on 18 April 2008 at the age of 86.

Teilhol began in 1958 as ACL, or Ateliers de Construction du Livradois, under the direction of Raoul Teilhol. Based in the Auvergne region of France, the company initially developed specialist manufacturing and vehicle-body capabilities. Its later facilities included workshops and production activity in Ambert and Arlanc, while the headquarters remained associated with Courpière. A major turning point came in the early 1970s, when ACL established a working relationship with Renault. The first phase focused on supplying components for Renault vehicles, including raised roofs for the Estafette van. Teilhol subsequently produced Renault 4 pickups and became Renault’s manufacturing partner for the Rodeo line, a competitor to the Citroën Méhari in the emerging beach-car and leisure-vehicle market. The Rodeo 4 was derived from the Renault 4, while the Rodeo 6 and Rodeo 5 were based on the Renault 6. The vehicles combined Renault mechanical parts with a lightweight, open recreational body concept. Early branding referred to both Renault and ACL or Teilhol, but later production vehicles omitted the ACL and Teilhol marks. The Renault relationship provided the company with production stability and enabled investment in facilities and personnel. Alongside contract work, Teilhol created TVE, or Teilhol Véhicules Electrique, to develop small vehicles that could be operated without a conventional driving licence. The Citadine, introduced in 1972, was a two-seat electric three-wheeler with an approximate range of 50 kilometres. Its concept was extended into the four-wheel Handicar, designed for wheelchair users, and the Citacom, a very small flatbed vehicle. TVE also built the Messagette, whose range was described as reaching approximately 100 kilometres. Some Messagettes were converted for utility duties and used at airports together with Citacoms. In 1978, ACL adopted the Teilhol name. Although its electric vehicles attracted attention, the Citadine family remained a low-volume program, with sales reportedly numbering only a few hundred vehicles. The company shifted in the early 1980s toward more conventional microcars powered by petrol or diesel engines. The Simply appeared in 1981 as a four-wheeled model, initially offered in T50 and T125 versions with 49 cc and 125 cc engines. Diesel derivatives followed, including the 325, 400D, TD, and TLX. Teilhol’s later corporate history is not fully documented in the supplied reference material. It is clear that production or support activity continued to have an afterlife through component manufacturing. In 2006, 2CA, or Concept Composites Auvergne, began making parts for Teilhol cars again. The Arlanc site remained connected with Teilhol parts production. Raoul Teilhol died aged 86 on 18 April 2008. The available material does not specify a definitive closure date for the original vehicle manufacturer, a successor owner, or a current operating structure.

• 2008

  Raoul Teilhol dies

  [1]Teilholen.wikipedia.org

  Founder Raoul Teilhol died on 18 April 2008 at the age of 86.

• 2006

  Parts production resumes through 2CA

  [1]Teilholen.wikipedia.org

  Concept Composites Auvergne, also known as 2CA, began making parts for Teilhol cars again.

• 1981

  Simply launched

  [1]Teilholen.wikipedia.org

  Teilhol introduced the Simply, a four-wheeled petrol microcar initially offered with 49 cc and 125 cc engines.

• 1978

  Company renamed Teilhol

  [1]Teilholen.wikipedia.org

  ACL adopted the Teilhol name in recognition of founder Raoul Teilhol.

• 1972

  Citadine electric microcar introduced

  [1]Teilholen.wikipedia.org

  TVE introduced the Citadine, a compact two-seat electric three-wheeler with an approximately 50-kilometre range.

• 1958

  ACL is founded

  [1]Teilholen.wikipedia.org

  Raoul Teilhol founded Ateliers de Construction du Livradois, known as ACL, in France.

A specialist French vehicle constructor combining contract production for Renault with compact leisure vehicles, electric microcars, accessible transport, and small utility-oriented cars.

• Leisure and utility vehicle

  Renault Rodeo 4

  Teilhol designed and produced the Renault Rodeo 4 as Renault’s lightweight leisure-vehicle answer to the Citroën Méhari. It was based on the Renault 4 and used components from Renault’s wider parts range to control production costs. The model combined an open recreational format with utility-oriented construction and formed part of the company’s most important Renault partnership.

• Leisure and utility vehicle

  Renault Rodeo 6

  The Rodeo 6 was a later Teilhol-produced Renault leisure vehicle based on the Renault 6. Like the Rodeo 4, it used parts shared with other Renault models and was built around a practical, lightweight body suitable for recreational and utility use. Later vehicles were identified primarily with Renault branding rather than the ACL or Teilhol name.

• Leisure and utility vehicle

  Renault Rodeo 5

  The Rodeo 5 was the later, more modern-looking member of the Rodeo family produced by Teilhol for Renault. It was mechanically related to Renault models and continued the lightweight beach-car and utility concept that had established the company’s relationship with Renault.

• Electric microcar · 1972

  Citadine

  Introduced in 1972 under the TVE name, the Citadine was a small electric three-wheeler for two occupants. Its approximately 50-kilometre range suited short local journeys, including the distance between the Arlanc factory and Teilhol’s Courpière headquarters. The model generated related specialized versions, although the family remained a low-volume product.

• Accessible electric vehicle

  Handicar

  The Handicar was a four-wheeled development of the TVE small-vehicle concept designed for wheelchair users. It extended the Citadine program beyond ordinary urban transport and represented Teilhol’s attempt to address specialized personal mobility needs with a compact electric vehicle.

• Compact utility vehicle

  Citacom

  The Citacom was a very small flatbed utility vehicle developed by TVE. Its compact dimensions made it suitable for service and light-duty applications. The vehicle was also used alongside converted Messagette vehicles in airport service roles.

• Electric utility and leisure vehicle

  Messagette

  The Messagette was a TVE electric vehicle with a reported range of up to 100 kilometres, exceeding that of the Citadine. It was conceived for city residents making trips to beaches or the countryside, while some examples were converted for utility work and used as airport service vehicles.

• Petrol and diesel microcar · 1981

  Simply

  Launched in 1981, the Simply was Teilhol’s move toward a more conventional four-wheeled microcar. Early T50 and T125 versions used 49 cc and 125 cc engines. The range later expanded with diesel variants, including the 325, 400D, TD, and TLX, giving the company a broader compact-car offering than its earlier electric models.

• 2006

  Resumption of Teilhol parts productionStrategy

  Background

  Teilhol vehicles continued to require parts and support after the period of original vehicle production.

  Action taken

  2CA, or Concept Composites Auvergne, began producing parts for Teilhol cars again.

  Aftermath

  The Arlanc facility remained associated with the manufacture of Teilhol parts, providing a continuation of the marque’s industrial presence.

  Source

• 1981

  Shift toward conventional microcarsProduct launch

  Background

  The Citadine and related TVE electric vehicles remained low-volume products, reportedly selling only a few hundred units.

  Action taken

  Teilhol introduced the four-wheeled Simply with petrol engines and subsequently developed diesel versions.

  Aftermath

  The Simply gave Teilhol a more conventional compact-car product line, including the 325, 400D, TD, and TLX derivatives.

  Source

• 1978

  Adoption of the Teilhol nameStrategy

  Background

  The company had operated since 1958 as ACL, or Ateliers de Construction du Livradois, while its founder was Raoul Teilhol.

  Action taken

  ACL was renamed Teilhol in 1978.

  Aftermath

  The new name aligned the manufacturer more directly with its founder and became the identity associated with its later microcars and vehicle parts.

  Source

1. 1Teilholen.wikipedia.org