About us

History

Almost 100 years of innovation ...

Second French actor car and first in commercial vehicles, the Bernard Group is a family business and regional.

The group originated in Bourg en Bresse in 1920, Alfred Bernard created a workshop for servicing vehicles in the company and in 1936 he became agent Berliet.

Pierre Bernard launched in 1958 in the car with the Peugeot brand, in 1973 he created a Mercedes dealership for heavy vehicles becoming the first multi-brand dealership in France.  1978 saw the merger of Berliet and Saviem as the Renault VI ... From that day the "Société des Etablissements Bernard" takes the name Bernard VI.  In 1979 the group resumed its operation of a Renault dealership in 1985 will create the first Renault Minute, a major innovation in terms of customer service, gradually imitated by all other major brands.

Jean-Patrice Bernard became CEO of the company in 1983 and accelerates development: each year he creates or incorporates at least one new site: Grenoble (38), Montluel (01), Albertville (73), Villefranche sur Saône ( 69), Annecy (74). ... and develop an activity under Short Term Rental Hertz franchise.

In 1997 concessions Renault Trucks Bourg en Bresse and Villefranche sur Saône are certifying their approach to quality assurance ISO 9001, and now all sites are covered by this standard and some have to certify their quality approach environmental ISO 14001.  The arrival in 1997 of a regional financial investor (Bank of Vizille, Group CIC-Lyonnaise Bank) as a minority group can retain its identity and independent while mobilizing the capital needed for its international development creating a regional plate to the west of Poland.

In 1999 the band Bernard is asked to represent the Nissan brand and in 2002 in Valencia (26) will be inaugurated the first concession of Europe uniting under one roof Renault and Nissan.  At the same time the Group further expands its portfolio of brands with Citroen.

New innovation in 2005, Bernard took an interest in the Lyon company Anaf Auto Auction, a leading regional auctions.  In 2006 is posted on site www.autobernard.com.

In 2007 without giving up the business dynamics of each brand, the various branches are grouped into two divisions: Bernard and Bernard Auto Trucks.  At the same time Bernard Group opens its first dealership in Lyon metropolitan area, this site is one of the pilot sites for commercial offfres Bernard Auto.