In 1969, Renault introduced the 12 at the Paris Motor Show.
It was so successful that soon after the French car-maker sold the license to built the car to more countries and was sold around the globe.

The aged Renault 8 and 10 needed a replacement for a family car. The Renault 16 was successful with its front-wheel-drive and front-engine architecture, while the Renault 8 and 10 with the engine and gearbox in the back were struggling. The Renault 12 was the right answer and it featured a better solution for the drivetrain. It was manufactured in France, Argentina, Turkey, and Romania. The later country produced the car until 2004 in both shapes as a sedan and a station-wagon.

With the new, landscape-type headlights from the Renault 16 and classic three-box design, the Renault 12 was a simple car that offered enough room for a family and enough trunk space. The station-wagon version was slightly longer and featured a liftgate with a wide opening.

Inside, the car featured only a ventilation system and a simple, three-round dials design for the instrument cluster. For the rear bench, the car featured a folding seatback, which extended the trunk area with a flat area, something that was highly appreciated at that time.

Under the hood, there was a 1.3-liter engine mated to a four-speed manual gearbox. For other markets, the Renault 12 received also a 1.4- and a 1.6-liter engine, which was a carry-over from the Renault 16. The front independent suspension and a rear rigid axle was a fair balance between price and comfort.