Pierre Desqoutte began manufacturing automobiles in 1904 using the name Desgouttes & Cie. His facility was located in Lyons, France, and his five models were dubbed the Type A. Power was from a 9.5-liter six-cylinder engine offering 45 horsepower. In total, only two examples were ever built. The following year, a four-cylinder model was introduced and brought with it many important and innovative design features. It had four brakes with two on the wheels and two on the differential. There was a four-speed transmission with the 3rd and 4th gears operated by direct drive. There was even an automobile carburetor on the 40-horsepower engine.

The car, shown at the 1905 Salon de Paris, was a success, earning Desgoutte a wealthy partner named Cyrille Cottin in 1906. Desgoutte served as the Technical Director while Cottin managed sales. With the new addition to the company, the decision was made to change the name of the company to Automobiles Cottin & Desgouttes.

Over the years that followed, the company focused on its four-cylinder models. One of their largest displacement four-cylinder models was produced between 1907 through 1909; it was a 50 horsepower unit that displaced 8620cc. Also in 1907, the company produced a 9.5-liter six-cylinder engine that offered 30 horsepower. Their 2.5-liter unit was especially popular and was produced for four years with only minor modifications during that time period.

Though the company focused on the luxury and sports car market, it also had a reputation for building quality racing cars.

During the First World War, the company produced utility vehicles, engines for tractors, aircraft motors, and various other military equipment. When Wartime ended, the company returned to automobile and truck production. They would remain in production until 1931, when the global economic crisis and stiff competition forced them to close their doors.

by Dan Vaughan