11:56 Jun 25, 2009 

Nathalie's client's website uses "renowned" (I've found it by googling the phrase she quoted), and the customer is always right ....

11:42 Jun 25, 2009 

Some airports want to upgrade their materiel on the base of existing chassis, because these are expensive, due to special technical specs (such as wheelbase and turning radius, ground clearance, etc...) and the fact that their engine don't put on much mileage... So it makes sense to reuse the existing chassis and modernize the fire-fighting equipment and cabin built upon it. But then, it could also mean "renowned", in the sens that the technical base for these vehicle comes from average cars and truck builders, only to be modified in specialized body-shops. It could be one, or the other...

11:32 Jun 25, 2009 

you're welcome!

pre-owned would have been a typo too!

11:30 Jun 25, 2009 

I'm impressed that a fire appliance could have a "renowned" chassis - especially as there are plenty of web hits for "Pre-owned chassis" - so it could have been a typo ...

11:28 Jun 25, 2009 

Indeed, it is renowned. Just checked on company's website and I have confirmation. Thank you!

11:26 Jun 25, 2009 

I wouldn't want to use an airport where the fire appliances have second-hand chassis ....;o)
So it must be something else - not sure about the typo, though...

11:24 Jun 25, 2009 

could it be a typo for renowned?

let's wait for other advices...

11:24 Jun 25, 2009 

They're fire-fighting vehicles. Strange to have second-hand chassis, non?

11:22 Jun 25, 2009 

Please could you give us more background, Nathalie?
What sort of vehicles are they, and what is their use?

My immediate thought is that "re-owned" is a cute way of saying "pre-used" (ie second-hand), in which case "d'occasion" might suit, but I'm sure there is more to it than that!