In the early 1937 the commandership of French horse cavalry put out a tender for the supply of the personnel transporters into the motorized dragoon divisions. The firm Laffly and its truck Laffly S20TL (Voiture de Dragons Portes) became the winner. The basic model was the S20TL VDP, the vehicle aimed to carry 10 people and their weapon, including two machine-guns. Also it was possible to transport 60-mm mortar launchers, at that the combat crew reduced down to 7 people. Apart from this the transport of 25-mm antitank cannons was allowed for. About 400 of the Laffly S20TL were in service with French cavalry before the beginning of World War II. The firm Hotchkiss also join the truck manufacture and by May, 1940 the cavalry had got another 230 Laffly S20TL.

Curb weight, kg – 5,420
Length, mm – 5,400
Width, mm – 2,000
Height, mm – 2,200
Cylinder number - 6
Displacement, l – 3.0
Power, hp - 68
Speed, km/h - 50