From pioneering Panhard et Levassor collaborating with Germany's Gottleib Daimler the French company helped France to become an automobile leader. Using a V-twin engine to a design licensed from Gottlieb Daimler, the first Panhard et Levassor car was launched in 1890. In 1891 the next Panhard et Levassor design had a front engine driving the rear wheels with a clutch and gearbox between, and this established the standard layout for motor vehicles until front wheel drive or rear engine/rear wheel drive became popular. From 1902 Panhard had its own Centaure engine developed by Arthur Krebs, thus releasing Panhard from paying on Daimler patents. From 1910 Panhard used Knight Sleeve Valve technology (as did British Daimler) in some of its cars and from 1924 until 1940 used its own Sleeve Valve design.