A few new additions..........

[Ewan]

Both were owned by Meccano, and the French factory predates Dinky Toys - it was opened in 1921 to produce French Hornby and Meccano. I have read that part of Hornby's initial success was due to anti-German sentiment after WW1 as before the War most toy trains sold in the UK were German. Perhaps the French factory would have been able to capitalise on the same feelings, or maybe some way of avoiding duties?

Although both factories were pretty much separate entities under common ownership with the Dinkies at least having pretty different product lines I think there has been evidence of joint working, with drawings for some French Dinkies done in Liverpool etc. Some French models were made from UK dies - the Blaw-Knox is one example I can think of.

I'm sure Chris can elaborate further

[GHOSTHUNTER]

I don't have my records with me at the moment, but something like five British designed sports cars and the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith were sent to the French factory as kits (but with locally pressed tin bases), for assembly and marketing on the French market, then many models from the mid sixties were exported from Liverpool and marketed in France with the letter 'L' added to the models catalogue number, so Lady Penelope's Rolls-Royce "FAB I" in the French catalogue is displayed as...model number 100L, while of course in the UK it is just...model number 100.

GHOSTHUNTER.