Renault's history in the United States is often linked to the 1980s, but the French automaker's ambitions there began much earlier. In the 1950s, inspired by Volkswagen's success, Renault sought to become a major player and developed models specifically for American buyers. One key model was the Caravelle, conceived as a French answer to the popular Volkswagen Karmann Ghia.
After seeing the Beetle's success, Renault executives Pierre Dreyfus and Fernand Picard researched the US market. They concluded Renault needed both a Beetle rival and a stylish sports car to boost its image, mirroring Volkswagen's strategy with the Karmann Ghia. They approached Italian design house Ghia, resulting in a car initially named Floride. For the US, it was renamed Caravelle.
The Caravelle shared its floorpan and mechanics with the Renault Dauphine but wore a far more attractive 2+2 coupe/convertible body. Its 1958 debut was met with strong interest, garnering thousands of pre-orders. Power came from a rear-mounted engine, starting with 40 horsepower.
Despite a promising start and technical merits, the Caravelle struggled in America. Priced similarly to the Karmann Ghia, it entered the market just as Renault's reputation for reliability began to falter. American buyers valued simplicity and easy repairs, areas where Volkswagen excelled. The Caravelle was updated with larger engines and disc brakes, but Renault eventually withdrew from the US.
Production ended in 1968 after roughly 117,000 units. While it didn't achieve the Karmann Ghia's lasting commercial success, the Caravelle remains a respected and charming classic, a testament to Renault's ambitious but ultimately challenging foray into the American market.