Regarding French being the only exception to English Reynolds decals:
There was more to French 531 tubing than just the language of the decals. I believe I am correct in saying the tubing diameter was purely metric, as opposed to an English diameter expressed as a metric number, so it was a different product.
Also, as listmember Bazin pointed out, the French seemed to show a fair degree of affinity for English-sounding names. In addition to Stronglight, there was Atom, Hutchinson, Look, Maxicar, Nervex, Normandy, Simplex, Stronglight, Super Champion, and Time. I'm sure other examples could be cited. Some of these may be only coincidentally English-sounding, but many are unmistakably English. This stands in contrast to women's clothing, perfume and accessories whose brand names seem intended to defy pronunciation.
John Hurley
Austin, Texas, USA