# Hispano-Suiza

> automotive, engine, and armament manufacturer

**Wikidata**: [Q29068](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q29068)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispano-Suiza)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hispano-suiza

## Summary
Hispano-Suiza was an automotive, engine, and armament manufacturer founded in 1904 in Barcelona, Spain, and later relocated to France. It is best known for producing luxury vehicles, aircraft engines, and military weapons, including the HS.820 autocannon and the HS.404 20mm autocannon. The company dissolved in 1938 but left a lasting legacy in the automotive and aerospace industries.

## Key Facts
- **Founded**: June 14, 1904, in Barcelona, Spain.
- **Relocated**: Moved to France in 1905.
- **Founders**: Marc Birkigt and the Swiss engineer Alfred de Knyff.
- **Products**: Luxury vehicles, aircraft engines, and military weapons.
- **Notable Models**: Hispano-Suiza H6, Hispano-Suiza 12X, Hispano-Suiza J12, Hispano-Suiza Alfonso XIII, Hispano-Suiza Carmen.
- **Military Weapons**: HS.820 autocannon, HS.404 20mm autocannon, HS.30 infantry fighting vehicle.
- **Dissolved**: 1938.
- **Followed By**: Safran Aircraft Engines, Oerlikon Rheinmetall Air Defence.
- **Industry**: Automotive, aerospace, armament manufacturing.
- **Headquarters**: Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Spain (original); later in France.
- **Website**: [https://www.hispanosuizacars.com/](https://www.hispanosuizacars.com/)
- **Wikidata ID**: Q110175969
- **Wikipedia Title**: Hispano-Suiza
- **Sitelink Count**: 30

## FAQs
**What types of products did Hispano-Suiza manufacture?**
Hispano-Suiza produced luxury vehicles, aircraft engines, and military weapons, including the HS.820 autocannon and the HS.404 20mm autocannon. Its automotive models included the Hispano-Suiza H6 and the Hispano-Suiza Alfonso XIII.

**Where was Hispano-Suiza founded and where did it relocate?**
Hispano-Suiza was founded in Barcelona, Spain, in 1904 and later relocated to France in 1905. Its headquarters were in Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Spain, before moving to France.

**Who were the founders of Hispano-Suiza?**
Hispano-Suiza was founded by Marc Birkigt and the Swiss engineer Alfred de Knyff. Birkigt was a Swiss mechanical engineer and entrepreneur.

**What was Hispano-Suiza's legacy in the automotive industry?**
Hispano-Suiza left a legacy in the automotive industry by producing luxury vehicles and contributing to the development of advanced engine technology. Its dissolution in 1938 marked the end of an era in automotive manufacturing.

**What military weapons did Hispano-Suiza produce?**
Hispano-Suiza produced several military weapons, including the HS.820 autocannon, the HS.404 20mm autocannon, and the HS.30 infantry fighting vehicle. These weapons were used in various military applications.

## Why It Matters
Hispano-Suiza played a significant role in the automotive and aerospace industries, particularly in the early 20th century. Its luxury vehicles and advanced engine technology set high standards in the automotive world. The company's military weapons, such as the HS.820 autocannon, were crucial in various military applications, contributing to its reputation as a versatile manufacturer. Despite its dissolution in 1938, Hispano-Suiza's innovations and contributions continue to influence modern automotive and aerospace engineering. Its legacy is remembered in the development of advanced engine technology and military weaponry.

## Notable For
- **Luxury Automotive Production**: Produced high-end luxury vehicles, including the Hispano-Suiza H6 and the Hispano-Suiza Alfonso XIII.
- **Aircraft Engine Manufacturing**: Developed advanced aircraft engines, such as the Hispano-Suiza 12X and the Hispano-Suiza J12.
- **Military Weapon Production**: Known for producing military weapons like the HS.820 autocannon and the HS.404 20mm autocannon.
- **Innovative Engine Technology**: Contributed to the development of advanced engine technology, influencing modern automotive and aerospace engineering.
- **Legacy in Automotive Industry**: Left a lasting legacy in the automotive industry, setting high standards for luxury vehicle production.
- **Versatile Manufacturing**: Produced a wide range of products, including luxury vehicles, aircraft engines, and military weapons.
- **Historical Significance**: Played a significant role in the early 20th-century automotive and aerospace industries.

## Body

### History and Founding
Hispano-Suiza was founded on June 14, 1904, in Barcelona, Spain, by Marc Birkigt and the Swiss engineer Alfred de Knyff. The company was initially based in Spain but relocated to France in 1905. Hispano-Suiza was known for its luxury vehicles, aircraft engines, and military weapons. The company's headquarters were in Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Spain, before moving to France.

### Products and Innovations
Hispano-Suiza produced a variety of products, including luxury vehicles, aircraft engines, and military weapons. Its automotive models included the Hispano-Suiza H6, a luxury motor vehicle, and the Hispano-Suiza Alfonso XIII, a sports car model created in 1909. The company also developed advanced aircraft engines, such as the Hispano-Suiza 12X, a V-12 piston aircraft engine, and the Hispano-Suiza J12, a motor vehicle.

### Military Weapons
Hispano-Suiza was known for producing military weapons, including the HS.820 autocannon, a type of autocannon, and the HS.404 20mm autocannon, a 20mm autocannon. The company also developed the HS.30 infantry fighting vehicle, an infantry fighting vehicle model. These weapons were used in various military applications, contributing to Hispano-Suiza's reputation as a versatile manufacturer.

### Legacy and Dissolution
Hispano-Suiza dissolved in 1938, marking the end of an era in automotive and aerospace manufacturing. Despite its dissolution, the company left a lasting legacy in the automotive and aerospace industries. Its innovations and contributions continue to influence modern automotive and aerospace engineering. Hispano-Suiza's legacy is remembered in the development of advanced engine technology and military weaponry.

### Related Entities and Projects
Hispano-Suiza was followed by several entities, including Safran Aircraft Engines, an aircraft and rocket engine manufacturer based in France, and Oerlikon Rheinmetall Air Defence, a former Swiss military arms company. The company was also related to other automotive and aerospace projects, such as Pegaso, a Spanish make of trucks, buses, tractors, armored vehicles, and sports cars, and SEAT, a Spanish automotive company based in Martorell, subsidiary of Volkswagen Group.

### Key People
Hispano-Suiza was founded by Marc Birkigt, a Swiss mechanical engineer and entrepreneur, and Alfred de Knyff, a Swiss engineer. Birkigt played a significant role in the company's development and innovation.

### Headquarters and Location
Hispano-Suiza's headquarters were in Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Spain, before moving to France. The company was based in Barcelona, Spain, and later relocated to France. Its headquarters were in Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Spain, before moving to France.

### Industry and Field of Work
Hispano-Suiza operated in the automotive, aerospace, and armament manufacturing industries. The company's field of work included automotive manufacturing, aircraft engine production, and military weapon development. Hispano-Suiza was involved in the development of advanced engine technology and military weaponry.

### Website and Online Presence
Hispano-Suiza's website was [https://www.hispanosuizacars.com/](https://www.hispanosuizacars.com/). The company had a significant online presence, with a sitelink count of 30 on Wikipedia. Its Wikipedia title was Hispano-Suiza, and its Wikidata ID was Q110175969.

### Classification and Instance
Hispano-Suiza was classified as an automotive, engine, and armament manufacturer. It was an instance of a business and an organization undertaking commercial, industrial, or professional activity. The company was also related to the automotive industry and the aerospace industry.

### Named After and Replaced By
Hispano-Suiza was named after Marc Birkigt and the Swiss engineer Alfred de Knyff. The company was replaced by Safran Aircraft Engines and Oerlikon Rheinmetall Air Defence. Hispano-Suiza's legacy was continued by these entities, which carried on its innovations and contributions to the automotive and aerospace industries.

## References

1. Open ISNI for Organizations
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
4. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
5. [Boordkanon van een Britse Typhoon 1945, neergeschoten op 1 januari 1945 bij Zaltbommel.](https://www.collectiegelderland.nl/object/2ffe75de-ec84-23e7-94cb-d58e857cc36d)
6. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
7. CollectieGelderland