Editing Matra (section)

{{Short description|Former French company}}
{{about|the French automobile, aeronautics and weaponry company}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2016}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Matra
| logo = Matra logo.gif
| location_city = [[Romorantin-Lanthenay]]
| location_country = France
| founders = [[Jean-Luc Lagardère]]<br />Marcel Chassagny
| foundation = 1945
| defunct = 2003
| fate = [[Bankruptcy]]
| industry = [[Conglomerate (company)|Conglomerate]]
| products = [[Automobile]]s, [[aeronautic]]s and weaponry
}}

'''Matra''' (an [[acronym]] for Mécanique Aviation Traction) was a major French industrial [[Conglomerate (company)|conglomerate]]. Its business activities covered a wide range of industries, notably [[aerospace manufacturer|aerospace]], [[defence industry|defence]], [[automotive industry|automotive]], [[motorsports]], [[transport]] and [[telecommunications]].

Following the acquisition of vehicle manufacturer [[Automobiles René Bonnet]], the company founded '''Matra Automobiles''' during the 1960s, which produced a limited range of racing and sports cars. Its car division worked closely with other vehicle manufacturers, most significantly [[Renault]], prior to the decline and sale of Matra Automobiles during the early 2000s. In addition to road cars, Matra entered into a wide range of businesses, eventually diversifying into [[Media (communication)|media]], weaponry, aeronautics, automobiles, and music distribution.

Matra was at one point owned by the [[Floirat]] family. Throughout much of the company's existence, French businessman [[Jean-Luc Lagardère]] was the [[CEO]] of Matra. In 1988, Matra was [[privatization|privatised]]; Lagardère's stake in the company grew considerably over the following years. 

In 1994, Matra became a [[subsidiary]] of the [[Lagardère Group]] and in February 1999, '''Matra Hautes Technologies''' (''MHT''), which represented the conglomerate's aerospace, defence and telecommunications arm, was merged with the French aerospace corporation [[Aérospatiale]] to form '''Aérospatiale-Matra''' (now [[Airbus SE|Airbus]]). Several former assets of Matra continue to operate under the Lagardère name.

Privatization, bleeding through the Lagardère Group, sell-off of its profitable enterprises, and failure of its automotive division caught up and Matra went bankrupt in 2003.