View source for Ligier

{{Short description|French automobile manufacturer}}
{{for|the related Formula One team|Équipe Ligier}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Ligier Automotive
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| founder = Guy Ligier
| foundation = {{start date and age|1968}}
| location_city = [[Abrest]]
| location_country = [[France]]
| key_people = Jacques Nicolet (President)<ref>https://ligierautomotive.com/en/news/mygale-becomes-ligier-advanced-technologies-a-new-identity-for-strengthened-expertise-in-single-seaters-and-advanced-engineering/#:~:text=Ligier%20Automotive%2C%20part%20of%20the,through%20the%20Ligier%20Automotive%20companies.</ref>
| num_employees = 
| industry = [[Automobile]] & [[Formula One]]
| products = 
| revenue = {{increase}} €178.6 million (2022) <ref>{{cite web|title=LIGIER GROUP  |url=https://infonet.fr/entreprises/71200027200021-ligier-group//|access-date=}}</ref>
| net_income       = {{increase}} €9.3 million (2022)
| parent = [[21 Investimenti Partners]]
| owner = 
| homepage = {{URL|ligier.fr}}
}}
[[File:Ligier logo.jpg|thumb|Logo until 2017]]

'''Ligier''' ({{IPA|fr|li.ʒje}}) is a French [[automobile]] and minibus maker created by former racing driver and [[rugby union|rugby]] player [[Guy Ligier]] (1930–2015), specialized in the manufacturing of [[microcars]].
Ligier is best known for its involvement in the [[Formula 1 World Championship]] between [[1976 Formula One season|1976]] and [[1996 Formula One season|1996]].

In collaboration with [[Automobiles Martini]], the Ligier-Martini entity offered [[sports prototypes]] used in [[Endurance racing (motorsport)|endurance]] or [[hillclimbing]] ([[Group CN|CN]]). After the announcement of the creation of the new category [[LMP3]] by the ACO, Ligier and Martini associated with [[Onroak Automotive]] (the manufacturer department of [[OAK Racing]]) to offer a full range of prototypes ([[Group CN|CN]], [[LMP3]], [[Le Mans Prototype|LMP1]] and [[LMP2]]).

==History==

The firm entered the automobile business with the [[Ligier JS2]], a mid-engined [[sports car]] for the road initially powered by a Ford V6 and from 1971 by the same Maserati V6 engine as the [[Citroën SM]]. The Ligier motorcars were all designated with the prefix "JS" in honour of Ligier's friend and cohort [[Jo Schlesser]] who was killed in the [[1968 French Grand Prix]] while driving for [[Honda F1|Honda]]. The final SMs were also produced in the Ligier factory in [[Vichy]].<ref name=Cnet1>{{cite web | url = http://www.citroenet.org.uk/passenger-cars/michelin/sm/sm-15.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190101182417/http://www.citroenet.org.uk/passenger-cars/michelin/sm/sm-15.html | archive-date = 2019-01-01 | title = Citroën SM-powered Ligier JS2 | work = Citroënët | last = Marsh | first = Julian }}</ref> The [[1973 energy crisis]] caused such a decline in the market for the JS2 that production ceased soon after, and the firm changed its focus to [[microcar]]s, beginning with the 1980 [[moped]]-powered [[Ligier JS4]].

One of the world's first experimental prototypes of [[automatic parking|automatic parallel parking]] was developed on a Ligier [[electric vehicle|electric car]] at [[INRIA]] in the mid-1990s.<ref name=Paromtchik-ICRA-1998>
{{cite conference
| last1=Paromtchik | first1= Igor
| last2=Laugier | first2=Christian
| title= Automatic Parallel Parking and Returning to Traffic
| book-title=Video Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation
| location=Leuven, Belgium
| date=May 1998
| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yS_inHMJJI
 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/6yS_inHMJJI| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live| access-date=5 May 2015}}{{cbignore}}
</ref>

In September 2008, Ligier Automobiles completed its acquisition of Beneteau Group's [[Microcar (brand)|Microcar]] division, with financing provided by [[21 Investimenti Partners]]. Phillipe Ligier, son of the company's founder, remains as CEO. The Ligier and Microcar brands are to retain their separate identities and manufacturing facilities. The merger creates Europe's second largest microcar manufacturer (after Daimler's [[Smart (automobile)|Smart unit]], if one considers that a microcar), and largest manufacturer of drivers license-exempt vehicles.

In 2011, Ligier launched the Duè brand, intended to market lightweight [[Quadricycle (EU vehicle classification)|quadricycles]] at a low price with a low-cost philosophy. The first model was the Dué First, which was essentially a revised version of the previous Microcar MC1 with simplified design and features to lower the price.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://journalauto.com/constructeurs/due-first-lalternative-a-petit-prix/|title=Dué First, l'alternative à petit prix ! Publié |date=28 March 2011|language=French}}</ref> After just two years, the Duè brand was integrated into the [[Microcar]] range, another brand of the Ligier Group, and the Microcar Dué, a specific and new model, was launched.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.challenges.fr/automobile/essais/due-ii-une-voiture-sans-permis-plutot-due_139408|title=Dué II, une voiture sans-permis plutôt Dué|date=9 April 2014 |language=French}}</ref>

In August 2018, Ligier teased a new road-going sports car to celebrate their 50th anniversary. The car will be built in collaboration with Onroak. It will feature a 3.7 liter V6 producing approximately 330&nbsp;hp, and a 6-speed manual transmission. It will be homologated to FIA E II-SH regulation. More details are to be released in September 2018, and it is expected to go on sale in November 2018 at a price of €89,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gtplanet.net/ligier-looking-to-celebrate-its-50th-anniversary-with-a-new-sports-car/|title=Ligier Looking to Celebrate Its 50th Anniversary With a New Sports Car|date=3 August 2018|website=gtplanet.net|access-date=6 August 2018}}</ref> {{Update inline|date=May 2025}}

In 2023, Ligier launched its first electric quadricycle, named Myli.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/economie-social/en-images-la-myli-premiere-voiture-electrique-sans-permis-de-ligier-9214095|title= La Myli, première voiture électrique sans permis de Ligier|date=17 May 2023|language= French}}</ref>

In January 2025, Ligier announced the closure of the Montaigu-Vendée factory, concentrating all production at the Abrest (historic headquarters) plant.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/economie-social/montaigu-ligier-constructeur-de-voitures-sans-permis-va-se-separer-de-la-quasi-totalite-de-ses-salaries-vendeens-4606710|title= Montaigu : Ligier, constructeur de voitures sans permis, va supprimer la quasi-totalité de ses emplois vendéens|date=9 January 2025|language=French}}</ref>

==Models==
[[File:Ligier JS2 v red.jpg|thumb|185px|right|Ligier JS2.]]
The Ligier model line currently consists of the JS50 line of mini cars, the X-Pro line of small commercial vehicles, and the Be Up/Be Two line of open-air, roadster-type vehicles. The company also produces a line of quad bikes and off-road utility vehicles sold as the Be Pro, Be Four, and Be Truck.

The JS50, Ixo, Xtoo, Nova or Ambra are about two and a half meters long and have two seats. They are front-engined. Power units include two 2-cylinder four-stroke diesels of about half a liter displacement and feature a CVT for power transfer.

===EZ10===
[[File:Self-driving minibus (35913477505).jpg|thumb|250px|left|Ligier EZ10 self-driving minibus]]
The ''[[Ligier EZ10|EZ10]]''<!--NB! No dash used in official literature--> ''EasyMile'' is a self-driving shuttle bus for light city transit. EasyMile SAS develops and markets the autonomous vehicles, and is a joint venture formed in June 2014 by Ligier and Robosoft Technology PTE Ltd (France).<ref name="Ligier.fr">{{cite web |title=EZ10, le véhicule autonome, 100% électrique |language=fr |trans-title=EZ10, the autonomous vehicle, 100% electric |publisher=Ligier |year=2017 |url=http://www.ligier.fr/ligier-group/ez10-vehicule-autonome-et-electrique-ligier.html |access-date=2017-07-15 |quote=Véhicule autonome électrique pouvant transporter jusqu’à 10 personnes (6 places assises et 4 places debout ou un fauteuil roulant), ...}}<!--This ref confirms the joint venture from the side of Ligier.--></ref><ref name="ec.europa.eu">{{cite web |title=Automated transportation in the (driverless) seat |publisher=[[European Commission]] |date=2015-07-05 |url=http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?&artid=35237&calledby=infocentre&caller=SuccessStories&id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=ss-citymobil2&item=All |access-date=2017-07-15 |quote=Adriano Alessandrini: "Partly thanks to CityMobil2, two French companies – Ligier Group and Robosoft Technology – created the EasyMile joint venture..."}}<!--This ref says, that this particular Robosoft entity is a French company, but information on it is scarce.--></ref><ref name="CityMobil2">{{cite web |title=System suppliers |publisher=citymobil2.eu |year=2016 |url=http://www.citymobil2.eu/en/automated-systems/system-suppliers |access-date=2017-07-15 |archive-date=2014-01-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108170612/http://www.citymobil2.eu/en/automated-systems/system-suppliers |url-status=dead }}<!--This ref has the full formal name of the Robosoft company.--></ref><!--These three refs are positioned here (and not at the end of the para) to confirm very specific information.--> The joint venture is the result of the CityMobil2 project co-funded by the European Union's [[Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development#FP6 and FP7|Seventh Framework Programme for research and technological development]] (FP7).<ref name="ec.europa.eu"/><ref name="CityMobil2"/>

One EZ10 minibus can take between 8–10 passengers,<ref name="Ligier.fr"/><ref name="ERR">{{cite news |editor-first = Dario | editor-last = Cavegn |title=Two driverless buses to take up passenger transport in Tallinn |publisher=ERR News |date=2017-07-14 |url=http://news.err.ee/607495/two-driverless-buses-to-take-up-passenger-transport-in-tallinn |access-date=2017-07-15 |quote=The buses have a capacity of eight passengers.}}</ref> and its speed is up to {{cvt|40|km/h|mph|0}}. In 2017, EZ-10 was introduced on the grounds of National Taiwan University in Taipei, and in [[Tallinn]], [[Estonia]].

In conjunction with Estonia's presidency of the EU Council, the minibus was presented in Tallinn on 14 July 2017 by EasyMile, and the tech companies in Estonia that co-financed the month-and-a-half-long project to bring the shuttle bus to the country. The buses will serve one line, including a stretch of tram line under reconstruction, and will run in Tallinn until the end of August.<ref name="Postimees">{{cite news |last=Rudi |first=Hanneli |title=Video: sõit tulevikubussiga meenutab horisontaalset lifti |language=et |trans-title=Video: A ride on a future bus reminds of a horizontal lift |date=2017-07-14 |url=http://tallinncity.postimees.ee/4178073/video-soit-tulevikubussiga-meenutab-horisontaalset-lifti |access-date=2017-07-15}}</ref><ref name="ERR"/>
{{clear|left}}

===Microcars===
* [[Ligier JS4]] (1980–1987)
* [[Ligier Optima]] (1987–1995)
* [[Ligier 162]] (1995–2002)
* Ligier Ambra (2001–2011)
* [[Ligier Nova]] (2002–present)
* [[Ligier Be Up]] (2000–present)
* [[Ligier X-Too]] (2004–2010)<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.blog-vsp.com/nouvelle-ligier-ixo.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614220541/http://www.blog-vsp.com/nouvelle-ligier-ixo.html|title=Nouvelle LIGIER IXO dans le détail - Ligier sans permis|date=June 8, 2010|archive-date=June 14, 2017|website=Blog Voiture Sans Permis}}</ref>
* [[Ligier IXO]] (2010–2014)<ref name="auto1"/>
* [[Ligier JS RC]] (2012–2016)
* [[Ligier JS 50]] (2012–present)
* [[Ligier JS 60]] (2020–present)
* [[Ligier Pulse 3]] (2014–present)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.turbo.fr/actualite-automobile/ligier-un-scooter-electrique-trois-roues-pour-les-pros-106417|title=Ligier : un scooter électrique à trois roues pour les pros|date=September 15, 2014|website=Turbo.fr}}</ref>
* [[Ligier Pulse 4]] (2013–present)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gsanspermis.com/ligier-professional-pulse-4/|title=Ligier Professional Pulse 4|first=Nicolas|last=Meunier|date=October 19, 2017|website=Génération Sans Permis}}</ref>
* [[Ligier Myli]] (2023–present)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.largus.fr/actualite-automobile/ligier-myli-2023-photos-prix-et-fiche-technique-de-la-rivale-de-la-citroen-ami-30026002.html|title=Ligier Myli (2023). Photos, prix et fiche technique de la rivale de la Citroën Ami|date=March 28, 2023|website=www.largus.fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.auto-moto.com/nouveautes/ligier-myli-nouvel-ami-encombrant-de-citroen-415079.html|title=Ligier Myli : la nouvelle ennemie jurée de la Citroën Ami ?|date=March 28, 2023}}</ref>
<gallery>
File:1980LigierJS4.jpg|Ligier JS4 (1980)
File:Ligier Ambra (28053930425).jpg|Ligier Ambra
File:Ligier Nova 01.jpg|Ligier Nova
File:Ligier Be Up.jpg|Ligier Be Up
File:Ligier X-Too Microcar.jpg|Ligier X-Too
File:Ligier JS50L (MSP15).JPG|Ligier JS50
File:Ligier JS60.jpg|Ligier JS60
File:Trois-roues électrique Ligier pour La Poste.jpg|Ligier Staby used by the French post office
</gallery>

==Ligier in motorsport==
{{Main|Équipe Ligier}}
[[Image:Ligier JS11 2008 Goodwood.jpg|thumb|right|The {{F1|1980}} [[Ligier JS11/15]] Formula One car]]

Ligier is best known for its [[Formula One]] team, [[Équipe Ligier]], that operated from {{F1|1976}} to {{F1|1996}}. Ligier entered Formula One in {{F1|1976}} with a [[Equipe Matra Sports|Matra]] [[V12 engine|V12]]-powered car, winning its first Grand Prix with [[Jacques Laffite]] in {{F1|1977}}.

Ligier also competed in the [[24 Hours of Le Mans]] from {{24hLM|1970}} to {{24hLM|1975}}.

{{clear}}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Ligier_JS2_vl_red.jpg|Ligier JS2
Image:1975LigierJS2FordCosworthDFV.jpg|Ligier JS2
File:Jeremie Dufour British F3 1995 Silverstone.jpg|Ligier Junior Team ([[Jérémie Dufour]], [[British Formula 3 International Series|British Formula Three Championship]], 1995)
File:Ligier X-Too Microcar.jpg|Ligier X-Too (Microcar)
File:Ligier Dué First - April 2015.jpg|Ligier Dué First (Microcar; 2015)
File:Ligier.png|Experimental prototype capable of self-parking<ref name=Paromtchik-ICRA-1998/>
File:Michael Shank Racing - Ligier JS P2-Honda -49 (27802320135).jpg|Ligier JS P2
File:Ligier JSP217 - Gibson - Team United Motorsport - 24 Hours of Le Mans 2018.jpg|Ligier JS P217
</gallery>

==External links==
{{commons}}
* [http://www.ligier.fr/ Official website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070210232924/http://bunnik.club.fr/0lig0001.htm Pictures of Microcars made by Ligier]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ligier}}
{{Automotive industry in France}}

[[Category:Ligier| ]]
[[Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1968]]
[[Category:Bus manufacturers of France]]
[[Category:Car manufacturers of France]]
[[Category:Piaggio Group]]
[[Category:Minibuses]]
[[Category:Microcars]]
[[Category:Quadricycles]]
[[Category:French companies established in 1968]]
[[Category:French brands]]
[[Category:Sports car manufacturers]]
[[Category:French racecar constructors]]
[[Category:Nissan in motorsport]]
[[Category:24 Hours of Le Mans teams]]
[[Category:Formula Three constructors]]