Icon
Trust 
Our history
Our famous green boxes have been a familiar feature of garages across the globe for decades. That’s because we’ve always provided the parts that mechanics trust and keep close at hand to get the job done. It’s still true today.
We’ve been providing all this for over 140 years – and we’re still growing. That’s why we’ve been continuously trading longer than any other automotive component brand in the world.
The history of an icon
The company was born
Our founder, Joseph Lucas, born in Birmingham in 1834, knew how to deliver what customers needed. He began in the early 1860s as a dealer in paraffin oil for domestic lamps and soon saw potential to expand into the transport market. In 1875, he opened a small workshop on Little King Street with 5 employees. The early product range included ship's lamps (Tom Bowling) with the first "King of the Road" cycle lamp, for use on the Penny Farthing, produced in 1878.
The range extended
Joseph Lucas died in 1902 to be succeeded by his son, Harry, as Chairman. Harry was able to take full advantage of the automotive boom, which had been spurred on by an act of Parliament that had raised the speed limit above walking pace! The range extended to include cycle, motorcycle and car accessories, including oil, acetylene, and electric lamps. Great King Street was expanded to meet increased demand and Lucas continued to grow and grow.
The largest supplier of electrical equipment
Land still Lucas continued to grow. This period saw further rapid expansion as Lucas grew alongside motor car production. With the acquisition of C.A. Vandervell & Co. Ltd. and Rotax (Motor Accessories) Ltd. Lucas became the largest supplier of electrical equipment to the vast majority of British vehicles and the largest manufacturer of accessories. The illustration shows the sign of the first Service Agent, appointed in 1929.
The new brake business
In 1943, the Girling brake business was acquired from the New Hudson company, adding hydraulic braking to the company's product portfolio. With a multi-award-winning history in F1, Girling is still a thriving brand today.
Renamed as Lucas Industries
The group was renamed as Lucas Industries in 1974 and, as part of a new corporate identity, the Lucas diagonal was introduced, a brand icon now familiar throughout the world. That diagonal first became a familiar feature of garages in 1975 when 35% of all cars manufactured worldwide were fitted with brakes manufactured by Lucas Girling, its associate company, or one of its licensees.
International expansion
While the UK car manufacturing base declined in the 1980s, Lucas remained strong by restructuring and refocusing into overseas markets. Lucas Automotive, created in 1988, moved into the production of high-technology engine management and braking systems for automotive customers around the world. Our three core technologies of Electrical, Braking and Diesel were recognised through the red, yellow and blue representations of Lucas with the diagonal logo providing the continuity of one company.
One of the top 10 manufacturer in the world
In 1994 we met the need for globalised production by adopting a green brand colour for all our signage , publications, product packaging and advertising , and by providing high technology products. The merger to create Lucas Varity in 1996 resulted in the formation of one of the top ten automotive component suppliers in the world. This was followed by acquisition by TRW in 1999. TRW is now the global leader in automotive safety systems.
TRW License the brand to specialist licensees
By the year 2000, Lucas has been trading continuously for over 125 years and began the new millennium as a renowned supplier of premium quality, technically excellent automotive and motorcycle products for both vehicle manufacturers and the aftermarket. To continue innovation, development and investment in Lucas, TRW decided to license the brand to specialist licensees.
Strong recognition of our brand
To celebrate the new levels of success we have achieved, and how this has been built on our proud heritage and the strong recognition of our brand, we launched the Icon campaign, showing our familiar green boxes towering into the skylines of France and the UK, two of our key markets. The campaign has been seen by 190,000 people. Automotive technology changes fast. We’re successful because, as you can see from our history, we’ve always been innovators, giving you the solutions that keep you equipped for the future.
Creation of Lucas Glass Company
Welcome to Lucas Glass. Automotive Glass is becoming an essential part of the vehicle linked with high technology like HUD, cameras (ADAS system), coated glass, heated, acoustic…offering security, comfort, and energy saving. Lucas Glass has been launched to the market with OE quality, the widest range of products covering the market needs, and looking to the future investing in new systems. Lucas looks to the future with Lucas Glass.
The company was born
Our founder, Joseph Lucas, born in Birmingham in 1834, knew how to deliver what customers needed. He began in the early 1860s as a dealer in paraffin oil for domestic lamps and soon saw potential to expand into the transport market. In 1875, he opened a small workshop on Little King Street with 5 employees. The early product range included ship's lamps (Tom Bowling) with the first "King of the Road" cycle lamp, for use on the Penny Farthing, produced in 1878.
The range extended
Joseph Lucas died in 1902 to be succeeded by his son, Harry, as Chairman. Harry was able to take full advantage of the automotive boom, which had been spurred on by an act of Parliament that had raised the speed limit above walking pace! The range extended to include cycle, motorcycle and car accessories, including oil, acetylene, and electric lamps. Great King Street was expanded to meet increased demand and Lucas continued to grow and grow.
A rapid expansion
Land still Lucas continued to grow. This period saw further rapid expansion as Lucas grew alongside motor car production. With the acquisition of C.A. Vandervell & Co. Ltd. and Rotax (Motor Accessories) Ltd. Lucas became the largest supplier of electrical equipment to the vast majority of British vehicles and the largest manufacturer of accessories. The illustration shows the sign of the first Service Agent, appointed in 1929.
The new brake business
In 1943, the Girling brake business was acquired from the New Hudson company, adding hydraulic braking to the company's product portfolio. With a multi-award-winning history in F1, Girling is still a thriving brand today.
Renamed as Lucas Industries
The group was renamed as Lucas Industries in 1974 and, as part of a new corporate identity, the Lucas diagonal was introduced, a brand icon now familiar throughout the world. That diagonal first became a familiar feature of garages in 1975 when 35% of all cars manufactured worldwide were fitted with brakes manufactured by Lucas Girling, its associate company, or one of its licensees.
International expansion
While the UK car manufacturing base declined in the 1980s, Lucas remained strong by restructuring and refocusing into overseas markets. Lucas Automotive, created in 1988, moved into the production of high-technology engine management and braking systems for automotive customers around the world. Our three core technologies of Electrical, Braking and Diesel were recognised through the red, yellow and blue representations of Lucas with the diagonal logo providing the continuity of one company.
Top 10 manufacturer
In 1994 we met the need for globalised production by adopting a green brand colour for all our signage , publications, product packaging and advertising , and by providing high technology products. The merger to create Lucas Varity in 1996 resulted in the formation of one of the top ten automotive component suppliers in the world. This was followed by acquisition by TRW in 1999. TRW is now the global leader in automotive safety systems.
TRW License
By the year 2000, Lucas has been trading continuously for over 125 years and began the new millennium as a renowned supplier of premium quality, technically excellent automotive and motorcycle products for both vehicle manufacturers and the aftermarket. To continue innovation, development and investment in Lucas, TRW decided to license the brand to specialist licensees.
Strong recognition of our brand
To celebrate the new levels of success we have achieved, and how this has been built on our proud heritage and the strong recognition of our brand, we launched the Icon campaign, showing our familiar green boxes towering into the skylines of France and the UK, two of our key markets. The campaign has been seen by 190,000 people. Automotive technology changes fast. We’re successful because, as you can see from our history, we’ve always been innovators, giving you the solutions that keep you equipped for the future.
Creation of Lucas Glass
Welcome to Lucas Glass. Automotive Glass is becoming an essential part of the vehicle linked with high technology like HUD, cameras (ADAS system), coated glass, heated, acoustic…offering security, comfort, and energy saving. Lucas Glass has been launched to the market with OE quality, the widest range of products covering the market needs, and looking to the future investing in new systems. Lucas looks to the future with Lucas Glass.
Today, Lucas around the World
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1. Lucas Industries Limited (UK)
2. Lucas Classic Motorcycle (UK)
3. Lucas Glass (Spain)
4. Lucas Windows Regulators (Italy)
5. Lucas Diesel Systems (Spain)
6. Lucas Turbos Europe (Spain)
7. Lucas Rotating Electrics (Denmark)
8. Lucas Products (Portugal)
9. Lucas Glow Plugs Europe (UK)
10. Lucas Filters Europe (France)
11. Lucas Engine Drives (Europe)
12. Lucas Electrical (UK & Eire)
13. Lucas Batteries Europe (UK)
14. Lucas Filters (Malasya)
15. Lucas Electrical (Malasya)
16. Lucas Batteries (Bangladesh)
17. Lucas Batteries (Sri Lanka)
18. Lucas Electrical (China)
19. Lucas Filters North Africa
20. Lucas Products South Africa
21. Lucas Electrical North America
22. Lucas Diesel Systems South America
Proud Past. Exiciting future
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