Citroen History

The automobile brand Citroen was named after its founder Andre Goustave Citroen. This talented engineer was born in 1878 in Paris. In 1900 Andre graduates from Higher Polytechnic School. Great personal and business qualities allowed this young man achieving impressive success and in 1905 Andre starts advanced for the time chevron gears manufacture and those gears became the base for Citroen automobiles emblem as a result.

The first Citroen automobile was introduced at the turn of the nineteen 20ies.

The 'A' model (10PS8/10) was provided with 4-cylinder 1.3-liter engine that produced 18 hp. The automobile had a soft and comfortable suspension and was quite easy-to-steer and to operate. It is worth mentioning that the automobile became the first production car in Europe.

In the 20ies Andre Citroen's enterprise was on the unprecedented rise. That was the time when more than six automobiles were put on the market and all of them were in success with the customers all over Europe. The company's subsidiaries were introduced in Belgium, England, Italy, as well as in other countries. In 1921 'A' model successor 'B2' was put on the market. This new automobile was provided with a more powerful 1.5-liter engine. In the beginning of the 20ies the production of several sports models (300 B2 and Roadster C) was organized. These models are still in demand of collectors. Some time later more prestigious models B12 and B14 were introduced. They were provided with 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines and were thought to be the best production cars of their time thanks to great instrumentation panel and adjustable seats.

In the nineteen 30ies the Western countries' economy was in crisis. Andre Citroen's enterprise was also in a hole. The automobiles weren't selling well, the company's unsettled debts were increasing. Andre Citroen decides to take a risky step and to update the model range in order to improve the situation. New automobile family named Traction Avant was introduced in 1934. There were innovative solutions used in the new generation automobiles' constructions such as full metal unibody, front and rear wheels torsion suspension, and front and rear brake mechanisms hydraulic drive. All Traction Avant family automobiles featured front-wheel drive.

It was model 7 introduced the first and then the automobiles of a more prestigious 11 series were introduced. New models were provided with 1.5-2.0-liter engines and boasted of 135 km/h maximum speed. High reliability and performance characteristics that Tranction Avant family automobiles showed while test runs organized by the company and by the brand fans increased Citroen new series' automobiles popularity.

However even the introduction of a new automobile generation couldn't save the company from financial collapse. In 1934-1935 Citroen was taken under Michelin brothers' control. Andre Citroen was completely isolated from handling the company's matters.

In the prewar years new family model range was expended with 15 series' prestigious model that was provided with 6-cylinder 3.0-liter engine. It was able to compete with Renault and Peugeot production.

During the the Second World War Citroen car factories were mainly producing the production for military necessity. The production of civil vehicles was renewed only in spring of 1946. Right until the mid 50ies the company was producing restyled 11 and 15 series automobiles.

In 1955 during Paris motor show a famous 'goddess' Citroen DS19 was introduced. The car caused a real commotion. The main reason of the stir was the automobile design. Long flat hood with axial pimple gradually going down to a front bumper, streamlined (with closed rear wheels) tail end volume, sharp side panels' ledges near the headlamps, as well as straight and curved lines combination in the exterior engendered mixed feelings that the contemporaries experienced when looking at that Citroen. Technical 'filling' of this automobile was also worth paying attention to. Citroen DS 19 was provided with hydro-pneumatic suspension that allowed varying the road clearance and combined comfort and great steerability. The automobile also featured automatic clutch and hydraulic steering wheel and brakes booster. DS 19 had 75-horsepower 4-cylinder engine that allowed the automobile developing over 150 km/h.

In 1956 a cheaper DS19 version known as 1019 model was introduced. Two years later a station wagon ID19 Break based on the 'goddess' platform as well as DS19 Prestige modification provided with conditioner and cordless phone made their debut. Luxury 'goddess' modification was very successful with prosperous French and one of these automobiles was used as the official car of the French president. In the 60ies DS 19 was restyled to turn into DS 21 and DS 23.

The famous 'goddess' successor Citroen CX was introduced in 1975. The automobile was provided with 2.2-liter gasoline powered engine and with an economy-size diesel that put out 66 hp. Citroen CX was in good demand on the European markets and that was to a certain extant thanks to the fact that it was awarded with several prestigious titles such as "Automobile of the Year 1975", "Prize for Safety", "Prize for Design", and so on.

In 1976 the control packet of shares was passed to Peugeot group.

New medium-size model Citroen BX was introduced in 1982. It was on that model that famous diesels of XUD family were first installed. In 1985 a station wagon based on BX platform was introduced and as usual it was named "Break".

In 1986 the concern puts into production a new small class automobile Citroen AX.

Starting from the mid 80ies Citroen launches a large-scale campaign to increase the quality of the automobiles they produce. Computerized control systems are introduced at the company's factories, automatic assembly lines become a common practice, and the measures are taken to increase the automobiles' corrosion resistance.

In the 90ies Citroen introduces a range of new models, it was XM in 1990 and in 1991 hatchback ZX was put into production. Two years later Xantia made its debut, it was BX's successor. New automobiles embodied the newest concern engineers' achievements and combined high performance characteristics, comfort, and reliability.

Evasion minivan and built in cooperation with FIAT concern light truck Jumper were introduced in the mid 90ies.

In 1997 on the 11th of September quite a successful ZX model was replaced by Citroen Xsara. Some time later there were station wagon and minivan introduced that were based on the novelty's platform.

In 2000 Citroen C5 was put on the market and since that time all Citroen automobiles were marked with a letter and a number. The introduced model was provided with the newest hydraulic suspension Hydradrive 3+ and boasted of an extensive engine range as well as rich base kitting-up. C5 was the first Citroen model that was provided with the newest automatic transmission with an option of hand shifting.

In 2001 Citroen C3 was introduced. It was based on the new platform, boasted of a phenomenal option list, high roof, and spacious trunk and therefore became the company's new bestseller. In 2002 Evasion minivan was replaced by an absolutely new model C8. The automobile was being developed together with Peugeot and FIAT just as its predecessor. A compact three-door hatchback C2 was put on the market a year later. In 2004 Citroen C4 that is Xantia's successor was put up for sale. C1 model and luxury sedan C6 entered Citroen model range a year later. Both the automobiles are characterized by the highest level of passive safety for the cars of their class.

Citroen is experiencing a real renaissance in the new century. Incredibly extensive model range, quality, successful promotion campaign, and auto sports success spur up Citroen automobiles sales world wide and let us hope for the great future for this automobile brand.

Nowadays there is equipment for automobile service centers, shelvings for service stations, and a lot more auto-goods produced under Citroen brand name, however Citroen Company has nothing to do with these manufacturers.