Editing Matra (section)

==Matra Automobiles==
[[File:Matra-530-avant.jpg|thumb|right|Matra 530]]
[[File:Matra-Simca Bagheera-grey-2.jpg|thumb|Matra Bagheera]]
[[File:MHV Matra 530.jpg|thumb|Matra 530 at OFK exhibition, Koenigsbrunn (Germany), 2006]]

Matra had been involved in car manufacturing since the acquisition of [[Automobiles René Bonnet]] in 1963.<ref name = "grandprix"/> The first road car to be sold under the Matra marque was the [[Renault]]-powered [[Matra Djet]] (pronounced "jet"), which was an update of the Bonnet Jet; the Djet was subsequently replaced with the Matra 530, [[Matra Bagheera|Bagheera]], the [[Matra Murena|Murena]] and the [[Matra Rancho|Rancho]], an early type of [[sport utility vehicle]] (SUV).{{Citation needed|date=March 2020}} At its peak, Matra Automobiles was manufacturing 60,000 vehicles per year at its plant in [[Romorantin-Lanthenay]].<ref name = "justauto"/>

Lagardere, recognising the promotion value of the [[motorsport]] sector for garnering sales, decided that the company ought to be involved, leading to the creation of [[Equipe Matra Sports]], which entered the French [[Formula 3]] during 1965.<ref name = "grandprix">{{cite web |url = https://www.grandprix.com/news/the-end-for-matra-automobiles.html |title = The end for Matra Automobiles |publisher = grandprix.com |date = 12 March 2003}}</ref> Throughout the mid-1960s, Matra enjoyed considerable success in Formula 3 and [[Formula 2]] racing with its MS5 [[monocoque]]-based car, winning both the French and European championships. Matra competed as a constructor in [[Formula One]] from {{F1|1967}} to {{F1|1972}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Matra |url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/matra.aspx |access-date=12 April 2025 |website=StatsF1}}</ref> and as an engine supplier between {{F1|1975}} and {{F1|1982}},<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/moteur-matra.aspx |title=Matra |website=StatsF1 |access-date=26 May 2024}}</ref> winning the drivers' and constructors' championships in {{F1|1969}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1969/drivers.html |title=1969 Driver Standings |website=formula1.com |access-date=26 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1969/team.html |title=1969 Constructor Standings |website=formula1.com |access-date=26 May 2024}}</ref> Matra also competed in [[sports car racing]] from 1966 to 1974 winning the [[24 Hours of Le Mans]] outright in [[1972 24 Hours of Le Mans|1972]],<ref name="Le Mans">{{cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/sports/automobile-racing/Winners-of-24-Hours-of-Le-Mans |title=Winners of 24 Hours of Le Mans |website=britannica.com |access-date=26 May 2024}}</ref> [[1973 24 Hours of Le Mans|1973]]<ref name="Le Mans"/> and [[1974 24 Hours of Le Mans|1974]]<ref name="Le Mans"/> and the [[World Championship for Makes]] in [[1973 World Sportscar Championship season|1973]] and [[1974 World Sportscar Championship season|1974]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.classicscars.com/wspr/results/wscc/tablemsmakes.html#1973- |title=World Championship - final positions and tables |website=classiccars.com |access-date=26 May 2024}}</ref> However, at the end of the 1974 season, Matra announced that it had decided to withdraw from all motorsport involvement.<ref name = "grandprix"/>

During the early 1970s, Matra sold its car division to [[United States|American]]-owned car manufacturer [[Chrysler Europe]].<ref name = "grandprix"/> Matra Automobiles was subsequently sold by Chrysler Europe to French car company [[Peugeot]]; during 1983, Lagardere arranged to buy the division back. Shortly thereafter, a strategic partnership was formed between Matra and French vehicle company [[Renault]], leading to the development of the [[Renault Espace|Espace]] [[minivan]].<ref name = "grandprix"/>

During 1984, the Matra-built Espace was launched onto the market; this car proved to be a commercial success over multiple decades.<ref name = "justauto"/> Due to this success, this single vehicle type became extremely impactful to the fortunes of Matra Automobiles. Following on from the first generation of the Espace, Matra Automobiles went on to manufacture the next two generations as well; however, the fourth iteration was manufactured inhouse by Renault instead. The loss of the Espace business quickly proved detrimental to the firm's finances.<ref name = "justauto"/><ref name = "grandprix"/>

During 2001, production of the [[Renault Avantime]], which was co-designed and built by Matra Automobiles, commenced; this vehicle did not sell well and was widely regarded as a failure.<ref name = "justauto"/> By the early 2000s, Matra was reportedly keen to end its involvement with the automotive industry. Following the discontinuation of the Avantime, on 27 February 2003, Matra Automobiles announced its intention to close its Romorantin vehicle factory just one month later.<ref name = "justauto">{{cite web |url = https://www.just-auto.com/news/matras-old-renault-factories-are-auctioned-off-bit-by-bit_id68609.aspx |title = ANALYSIS: Matra's old Renault factories are auctioned off, bit-by-bit |publisher = Just Auto |access-date = 25 March 2020}}</ref> The dismantling of the division was necessitated by Matra Automobiles having been declared [[bankrupt]].<ref name = "justauto"/>

During September 2003, [[Pininfarina SpA]] acquired Matra Automobile's engineering, testing and prototype businesses; the company was subsequently named Matra Automobile Engineering.<ref name = "justauto"/> On 13 January 2009, Pininfarina sold its share in Matra Automobile Engineering to [[Segula Technologies]].

===Street models===
* [[Matra Djet]]
* [[Matra 530]]
* [[Matra Bagheera]]
* [[Matra Murena]]
* [[Matra Rancho]]
* [[Renault Espace]]
* [[Renault Avantime]]