Citroen -- All Car History Volume18

Citroën is a pioneering car manufacturer, with a long line of original, advanced designs and a tradition of engineering excellence and innovation. The world’s first front-wheel drive car, the Traction Avant, was thanks to Citroën. Perhaps the company’s most recognised car of all time is the 2CV, which came to be regarded as an automotive icon. Citroën’s current crop includes the C1, C2, C3, C4, C4 Picasso and Xsara Picasso, with new models such as the C6, which replaced the XM.

CITROËN HISTORY

In 1914, André Citroën set up a company that made munitions for the war. This venture proved to be a success, and by the 1920s the company became known as Citroën. The company shocked the world in 1934 with the Traction Avant, a revolutionary car with features such as front wheel drive. In 1934, Citroën was taken over by Michelin tyre company and in 1976, Citroën became part of PSA Peugeot Citroën.

CITROËN FACTS

• Type: Subsidiary of PSA Peugeot Citroën
• Founded: 1919
• Headquarters: Paris, France
• Industry: Automotive
• Products: Cars

CITROËN FEATURED MODELS

• CITROËN C2 - the first Citroën with a Stop & Start environmental system, and five speed semi-automatic transmission.
• CITROËN C3 - a larger family friendly car, the C3 has five doors and is a “supermini” intended to replace the Citroën Saxo.
• CITROËN C4 - a small family car produced since 2004. The C4 was designed to be the successor to the Citroën Xsara.
• CITROËN C5 - a large family car produced since early 2001. The C5 replaced the Citroën Xantia in the large family car class.
• CITROËN SAXO - a supermini manufactured from 1996 to 2003.
• CITROËN XSARA – a small family car produced since 1997 in five-door estate, three- and five-door hatchback styles.
• CITROËN XSARA PICASSO – an MPV produced since 1999.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The 2CV was affectionately known as "The Duck". Citroën realised that there was an urgent need for a cheap and reliable car, and first introduced the 2CV to the public in 1938. Because of WWII, the production started in 1948. Since the car was such a success the production continued for over 40 years. The design underwent only a few minor changes in all those years.
• At the 1950 Paris Motor Show, the 2CV van was introduced. Between February 1951 and March 1978, 1,246,306 2CV vans were made. Demand was so great that there was a six-year waiting list for delivery in the 1950s.
• Citroën held the constructor title in the World Rally Championship in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
• In 2000, Citroën built a heritage centre in Aulnay, Paris. These premises of 6,700 m2, house almost 300 vintage cars and concept cars, but are not open to the public.
• The Citroën won the bronze lion award at the Advertising film festival at Cannes in 2005. This was for the Citroën C4 film "The Dancer".