Automobiles Dangel: over 45 years of expertise in 4x4 conversions
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Over 45 years of expertise
1960s
The start of a great story
It all begins with one man's passion for cars and motorsport: Henry DANGEL. From the 1960s, he designs and builds racing cars, the Mangoustes, as well as suspension kits for Alpine Renault.
After a spell at BBS, he comes up with a concept that anticipates a new market need: combining on-road performance with off-road capability. He fits a 4x4 drivetrain of his own design to a production car, the Peugeot 504. Peugeot is won over, and Automobiles Dangel is born in 1980!
1980
The creation of Dangel
From the outset, the company focuses on quality and keeps full control of its production process. Automobiles Dangel brings design, production and sales together on one site.
Commercial success comes quickly, notably through strong partnerships with many public bodies and companies won over by the concept. Users such as tradespeople and farmers appreciate the comfort, versatility and capability of these 4x4s, at ease on any terrain and in any season. With a Dangel, they finally have an answer to their needs.
The Paris-Dakar, a full-scale showcase
Success also comes in motorsport, with rally raids and the great African adventures where Dangel technology earns its reputation. The desert is the ideal place to prove what the 504 4x4 can do.
1984
The best results
A dozen Dangel 504s on the start line, with 35th place for Michel/Prud'homme, 63rd for Guarato/Smulevici and 87th for Villard/Hernandez.
1985
The end of an adventure
At least three Dangel 504s entered (nos. 268 to 270).
1983
Gaining momentum
Dangel prepares around ten 504s for the Dakar. Guarato/Smulevici finish 39th and Tonnelline/Plante 45th. A Dangel pickup also accompanies Kerc and Ydraut's estate car as a support vehicle for the brand's entries.
1982
The beginnings
Twelve Peugeot 504 4x4 Dangels start the race, out of 236 entrants. Only one reaches the finish: Marty and Cazalot's pickup no. 228, in 49th place. No. 228 had long run near the front before a mechanical problem ended its hopes of victory. A thirteenth 504, run by Europe 1, follows the race outside the competition.
The adventures were not limited to the Dakar: in 1985, a 504 4x4 estate took part in the Cape-to-Algiers raid.
Mark Thatcher, Dakar 1982
The most famous name of this edition had nothing to do with sport. Mark Thatcher, son of the British Prime Minister, joined Dangel 504 no. 178 as navigator, with Anne-Charlotte Verney driving and Jacky Garnier as mechanic. The crew retired from the race and got lost in Algeria. The British, French and Algerian governments were mobilized before the crew was found after a six-day search.
Today
Dangel today
Today, Dangel is a second-stage vehicle manufacturer and a Stellantis partner. We convert Citroën, Fiat, Opel and Peugeot vans by improving their traction, raising their ride height and protecting their underbody. Electric 4x4 drivetrain or limited-slip differential: whatever the technology, what matters is our users' satisfaction.
Our customers? Tradespeople, farmers and vets, as well as large companies in energy, construction, telecoms, mail delivery and more.
INDUSTRIES
Solutions tailored to each industry sector
Every industry has its own requirements. Our mission is to find the van that fully meets the needs of your trade.
Since the company was founded, a shared passion has driven every one of our employees, reflected in values rooted in our daily work: quality, expertise and innovation. Our teams share a common goal: complete customer satisfaction. In practice, we offer our customers tailored, proven solutions built to last.
Dangel's mission and values
01 Innovation
02 Know-how
03 Quality
LOCATIONS
Our sites: Sentheim, Burnhaupt-le-Haut, Vigo
Dangel operates across 3 sites: two in Alsace and one in Spain.
Sentheim:
Dangel's historic home is in Sentheim (Alsace). This is where, since 1980, we have been converting vans into Dangel 4x4s.
This is where Dangel:
- Develops its traction solutions in its engineering department
- Builds its vehicles
Burnhaupt-le-Haut:
The Burnhaupt-le-Haut site has two main roles. First, receiving and dispatching the 4x4 vans converted at the Sentheim factory. It is also home to our after-sales service.
Vigo (Spain):
Located alongside the Stellantis plant in Vigo, Dangel's Spanish factory opened in 2020. Dedicated to producing the Trek by Dangel range, its location is a real strategic asset.
Contact Dangel
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