Duport (France) - AllCarIndex

Duport was a French automobile manufacturer that operated from 1977 to 1994, initially known as Ets Duport and later as Ste Nouvelle Duport. The company was based in St Ferreol, Faverges, Haute Savoie. Founded by Guy Duport, who was originally a manufacturer of teleskis, the brand became notable for its contributions to the microcar segment in France.

One of Duport's significant achievements was the introduction of the Caddy, which became the first diesel-powered microcar. It utilized a 5-horsepower Lombardini engine and was recognized as the world's smallest diesel car at the time. The Caddy featured components from the Renault 4, including its steering and braking systems. In 1980, Duport expanded its lineup with the Parco, a four-passenger microcar that also incorporated various Renault trim parts.

In 1983, the company attempted to enter the full-size vehicle market with the 720, a leisure vehicle equipped with a mid-mounted Renault 2-litre engine. However, this model did not achieve commercial success. Another notable creation was the Onyx, introduced in 1990, which was a compact and playful car reminiscent of the Citroen Mehari. Additionally, Duport produced a high-performance microcar called the GT, which featured a 654cc diesel engine.

The final model produced by Duport was the Passion, which was priced comparably to a Renault Clio. Despite its innovative designs and attempts to diversify its offerings, Duport ceased operations in 1994, marking the end of its contributions to the automotive industry.