Where are Citroen cars made? The history of the Citroen brand. Citroen: country of origin and model range of Citroen brand country of passenger car manufacturer

Citroen was founded in 1919 in France. It was founded by the engineer and entrepreneur Andre Gustave Citroen. The plant created inexpensive machines for a wide range of users. The first name of the company was "AO Citroen".

As a rule, historical and iconic brands can be found among car brands. Both terms are applicable to Citroen - its products combined quality brands traditional for cars, at the same time developing, outstripping competitors. Vehicles of this brand have served not only the people, but also the government of France for decades. Drivers call Citroen cars “sent down from above”.

Citroen makes cars available to a wide range of motorists

Founder biography

Frenchman André Citroën was born in 1878. His father, Levi Citroen, was an entrepreneur. He processed precious stones, subsequently selling them. The business was developing successfully - there was enough money to support the family. Yet Levy did not feel influential enough in his field. Andre was 6 years old when the father of the family took his own life. As an inheritance, the father of the family left a large fortune, as well as, no less important, ties with industrial and financial figures in Paris. In the 19th century, a tradition was developed according to which the sons continued to run the family business, but the young Citroen was more interested in technology, including cars.

After graduating from the polytechnic school, Andre got a job with his friends in the workshop. So, at 23, he became a specialist in the production of parts for locomotives. After four years of work in the firm, he invests all the remaining inheritance in the company's securities and becomes a co-owner of the Estenov business.

While in Poland, Andre drew attention to a small factory where an unknown self-taught mechanic, among other units, invented gears. Citroen realized that this technology would be promising, so he decided to acquire a patent for its implementation. Continuing his career in the Estenov business, André establishes the creation of gears at their plant. This technology was much more advanced than the products of the company's competitors. The new level of production allowed the business to acquire customers outside of France in a short time. This brought the business serious profits.

Around the same time, the company developed what the French call the "double chevron". In appearance, it looks like two inverted letters "V", which schematically conveys the image of the tapered ends of the gears.

In the company Andre was engaged not only in commercial activities, but also took on the duties of a technical director. In a short time, he got rid of all competitors - rapidly developing technologies have left no equal in the market. Citroen gained an excellent reputation, which was noticed by the managers of the Mors plant. They invited him to the post of technical director. Andre accepted the application, after which the Mors level began to rise.

During the First World War, Citroën did not stop realizing its entrepreneurial plans. He understood that the French army was short of ammunition at the front. In this regard, Andre offers the Minister of War a deal, according to which a plant for the production of shells will be created. The large-scale project had to be completed in just three months - there was little time. After much deliberation, the state agreed to work with Citroen, providing it with financing in the form of 20% of the amount that was needed for the construction. The remaining 80% of the funds Andre borrowed from workers in various industries.

Indeed, in three months a large factory was set up on the empty banks of the Seine River, which produced more ammunition than all the French enterprises combined. Citroën saw the high level of organization as the reason for its success.

Creation of the car brand Citroen

After the end of the First World War, production at André's factory ceased. He decided how to use the production facilities - a professional team, premises, machines and his own experience, as well as the proceeds from the shells. One of the most promising areas was the production of transport. Citroen was closely familiar with cars, so he decided to invest money and time.

Andre's first idea was to create a complex and technologically advanced 18-horsepower car. Later, under the influence of the principle of production he saw at the Henry Ford plant in America, he decided that more success could be achieved by focusing on the mass market. In 1919, with the help of the French designer Jules Solomon (creator of the La Zebre car), he set about creating cars at his factory. Production began with one trial model, but the more there were, the more cars were considered a mass commodity rather than an outlandish technique.

The first car of the Citroen company

The first model was called Citroen A. It had a volume of 1.3 liters and had a power of 10 horsepower, developing a speed of 65 km / h. The model was the first in Europe to have an electric starter and lighting. Small cars were in great demand - with the production of 100 copies a day, the plant still did not have time to supply cars to everyone. The Type A was priced at 7,950 francs - available at the time. No competitor company could offer motorists the same low price, which inevitably led Citroen to success. They received over 16,000 purchase requisitions in two weeks.

In the same 1919, the company was negotiating the sale of the Citroen brand to General Motors. Both sides agreed, but the deal did not materialize, as the Americans considered such an acquisition too heavy a burden on the budget.

Thus, at 41, André marked the beginning of the transport revolution in France. In order to delve deeper into the technology of car production, as well as to peep the principles of competitors' work, Andre Citroen secretly disassembled American models of cars that were popular at that time at his factory. Among them were Buick, Nash, and Studebreaker. For four years of work, Citroen has developed production, producing 300 cars a day.

By the end of the 1920s, the company had representative centers in every major country in Europe. To make it easier for Citroen drivers to service their cars, aggregate warehouses were built throughout France. In 1921, over 3,000 models were exported.

In the meantime, the company has developed a new compact car called the 5CV. This simple and reliable car has received the status of "people's". He drove well on dirt roads. Without front brakes, the car was equipped with front and rear springs. After a few years, the model was updated to versions B12 and B14. The models have been sold for over 135 thousand euros in 2 years. They have increased the popularity of Citroën.

Further development, difficulties and death of André

In 1931, the company introduced a new model - Citroen Grand Lux. This car has become a premium brand. It was equipped with a 2.7-liter engine, which was a real revolution in the mechanical engineering market in France. By 1933, Citroën had taken the first place among all car factories in Europe, ahead of the Italian Fiat. In the same year, production reached 1,100 vehicles per day.

In 1934, the demand for Citroen cars fell. This turned out to be a real shock for the company, because quite recently it showed positive dynamics. By that time, all the brand's assets were allocated to the creation of new service centers and factories, so the company was close to bankruptcy. The global financial crisis has become a separate factor. A bankruptcy procedure was started, after two months of which the Michelin manufacturer acquired 60% of Citroen's shares. So, the company managed to remain independent from 1919 until that time.

André didn’t see the revolutionary concept of a front-wheel drive car. This technology Citroen adheres to this day. The founder of the great company died in 1935. French journalists circulated three versions that influenced André's death: an incurable illness, financial difficulties and the death of his daughter. The contribution to the development of the automotive industry, which the entrepreneur made over 26 years of work in the field of vehicles, immortalized his name in history.

Over the years, Citroen has created a new car. The SM was made in collaboration with Maserati and had a 170 hp engine. with. with 6 valves. The model was equipped with disc brakes on the wheels of both axles and air suspension. This is how SM earned its position among the best coupes in the GT class.

Over time, Andre's idea became a reality - the company paid more and more attention to the production of high-tech, but expensive models. Such cars were original and had almost no competitors in the whole world. The founder himself believed that with a good idea of ​​the car, its price does not matter. Unfortunately, extravagant cars did not generate much income - most of the drivers were working class. The situation was aggravated by the oil crisis, which seriously undermined the sales of fuel-demanding Citroen. The brand had to join the mass market, otherwise they were threatened with ruin. The image of innovators has been lost for years.

In 1974, Citroen teamed up with the Peugeot automobile concern, pursuing pragmatic goals. This finally deprived the company of the title of a revolutionary in the field of technology, because now the products were regulated by the interests of two factories. Otherwise, such cooperation allowed Citroen to survive the crisis.

Only by the beginning of the 90s, the brand was again able to "leave" on originality. The trend for unusual cars has again gone around the world, which allowed the extravagant Citroen models to win the respect of the public again. One of the most important stages of the company's revival in the market was the decision of the director: he concentrated the plant's efforts on the development of various designs for each line of cars. Thus, each series received an appearance that was very different from any other. The new XM model has an excellent chassis system and elegant design.

Citroen's current market position

In the first half of the nineties, the company produced the Santia, Berlingo and Saxo models. In parallel with this, a series of cars for sports competitions were being prepared. Work on different directions gave results: models C4, C3 and C5 were released, which belonged to the European system.

In 2004, Sébastien Loeb, a racing driver from France, won the WRC racing tournament. He was driving the Casar model. Then Sebastian confirmed his status several times, but this time at C4, C3 and DS3. Taking part in 12 races and winning 9 of them, the driver set the record for wins in the entire history of the WRC, representing his country and Citroen.

French driver wins WRC race in Citroen

Given the success in the sports car segment, the company has released sports modifications to many of its models. In 2007, the first crossover of the company was released, which was created on the basis of the Mitsubishi Outlander. In 2011, another model came out, which took a high place in sales in the French market.

Citroën relied on the original design. The development of the cars was supported by Peugeot, so the company was able to reduce the cost of updates. So, in 2013, the five-seater Picasso came out. In 2014, a new version of it appeared - C4 Grand C4 Picasso. The car had seven seats, including the driver's. The model had not only a special appearance, but also a wide electronic functionality and good environmental performance. By 2014, the line has collected more than 65,000 orders with orders - the models have become popular all over the world, mainly with large families.

Advertising moves André

As a seasoned entrepreneur, Citroen understood that making cars and selling them were two completely different tasks. So, the growing pace of assembly (60 thousand copies in 1925 and 100 thousand in 1929) needed an implementation scheme. Andre's first project was the release of toy Citroen models, which were miniature copies of real cars. In order to increase brand awareness and be in the public eye, André ordered road signs with the Citroen symbol - a double chevron - to the city transport services.

Thus, a significant part of the budget of the automobile company was constantly in advertising circulation. One of the projects was an "advertising run" - drivers equipped for a trip went on long routes, to
loudspeaker telling townspeople about the benefits of their firm's products. During stops, they showed presentations to citizens and held lotteries. André was convinced that a live car demo was the best way to get potential buyers interested. Practice shows that from 3 to 15% of eyewitnesses of the runs went home in a newly purchased Citroen.

Back in 1929, André created an exhibition hall with a height of six tiers, one of the walls of which was a 21 x 10 meter showcase, entirely composed of glass. This design attracted many visitors who could see all the available cars of the company in one place. André also provided loans on favorable terms for motorists and guided tours of the production facilities.

One day an enterprising businessman heard about an English pilot who used his plane to draw various images and words in the sky. André decided that his company also needed a similar service. He told the pilot to leave a white trail in the sky in the form of "Citroen". Despite the fact that the inscription remained in the air for a few minutes, word of the car brand spread throughout the world. The huge investment in pilot pay quickly paid off.

One of Andre's most massive projects was the idea of ​​the Eiffel Tower. It contained more than 125,000 light bulbs, which, when various levers were turned on, formed ten pictures, among which was the name of an automobile company. Both Parisians and tourists alike - everyone fell in love with this installation.

The campaign, in which Citroen supplied cars for racing events such as races in the Sahara and Asia, as well as parcels with gramophone recordings of audio commercials for cars, all this made it possible by 1934 to take the first place in Europe and second in the world in the field of mechanical engineering.

Andre was constantly in debt to various financiers. His projects were risky, but in most cases paid off, after which Citroen started a new advertising campaign. One of the projects, however, associated with the construction of more services and factories, turned out to be critical in the history of the company. A serious financial crisis deprived Andre of almost all funds. Many attempts to attract material support did not turn out to be successful, after which Citroen went bankrupt.

Conclusion

André's work has become a vivid example of the fact that devotion to what he loves can create a real revolution in one area or another of life. Of course, he would not have succeeded without the ability to make decisions on time, as well as develop advertising campaigns. Citroen cars in our time are known for originality and wide functionality - factors that Andre himself did not have time to implement.

1910

1919

Creativity. Technologies. Courage. In 1919, André Citroën founded the brand of the same name ...

1919

Citroën "Model A"

The Type A, with a 1327 cc four-cylinder engine and a top speed of 65 km / h, goes on sale.

1920

1920

Having been on the market for just one year, Citroen manages to sell 10,000 vehicles

20 February 1921

Always one step ahead. On February 20, 1921, Citroën unveils a series of enamelled road signs for French roads.

12 July 1921

Citroen presents the 2nd car in the model range: B2. Compared to Type A, this is a more powerful and technologically advanced car.

01 October 1922

Paris Motor Show: World presentation of the Citroen 5HP. A new compact car based on the Type A.

12 October 1922

Bold creativity ... For the first time, in honor of the opening of the 7th Paris Motor Show, an airplane writes the name of the brand in the sky. This is Paris! This is Citroen!

17 December 1922

To highlight the quality of his tracked vehicles, launched in 1922, André Citroën decides to send them across the Sahara. Georges-Marie Haardt and Louis Audouin-Dubreuil embark on the Tuggourt - Timbuktu - Tuggourt expedition, which lasts from December 17, 1922 to March 7, 1923.

1924

In 1924, Citroen's production reaches 50,000 cars a year.

01 October 1924

Citroen unveils the B10, the first all-metal vehicle to replace metal and wood models.

28 October 1924

Expedition "Black Raid" in Africa

Inspired by the success of the Sahara Expedition two years earlier, Citroen is equipping the Black Raid Expedition to cross the entire African continent from Colombes Béchar to Cape Town from October 28, 1924 to June 26, 1925.

1925

Official statistics on the number of cars per capita

In 1926, about a third of the cars on the roads in France are Citroen cars.

28 September 1926

Citroen introduces the B14, a mass-market vehicle that combines luxury features. It was one of the most popular vehicles during the interwar period. Citroen is also introducing the B15, the first French commercial vehicle with an enclosed cockpit.

1926

Citroen publishes the first repair manual with spare parts catalog for the dealer network.

1926

By this time, Citroen employs 31,000 workers and produces 400 vehicles a day - a record production capacity in Europe.

21 May 1927

Charles Lindbergh at the Citroen factory in 1927

Charles Lindbergh, who made the first transatlantic flight, visits the Citroen factory

01 October 1928

At the Paris Motor Show, Citroen is unveiling two new models, the C4 and C6.

1929

Launch of Citroen C6 1 production in 1929

Launch of France's first high-speed truck, the C61. Payload: 1800 kg, 6-cylinder engine, 42 hp Steel enclosed cabin

16 March 1929

Inauguration of the legendary Marbeuf garage. An architectural masterpiece that will pave the way for the brand's other iconic locations.

01 October 1929

Demonstrating once again his character as a pioneer, André Citroën opens the doors of his factory on the Quai Javel to the public on the occasion of the opening of the Paris Motor Show

1930

04 April 1931

"Yellow raid" in Asia

Five years after the Black Raid, the Yellow Raid expedition is organized. This time, Citroen, without recognizing any, intends to cross the Asian continent from Beirut to Beijing.

October 1931

André Citroën returns from the United States with new ideas, one of which involves the use of a resilient suspension engine - an idea that has contributed to the modernization of cars.
This innovative technology mitigates vibration from the engine by installing rubber blocks between the engine and the chassis.

April 1932

Resilient suspension engine Citroen

The C4 G and C6 G cars receive a resilient suspension engine called MFP (Moteur Floating Power). Citroen is once again outperforming its European competitors. Now all Citroen cars, without exception, are equipped with an elastic suspension engine.

October 1932

At the Paris Motor Show, Citroen presents Rosalie cars: 8CV, 10CV and 15CV. The first two models replaced the C4, and the third, with a six-cylinder engine, replaced the C6.
In 1931, thanks to a series of new speed records at the Linas-Montléry circuit, all three models quickly earned the nickname "Rosalie".

27 July 1933

Montleri Circuit 300,000 km. 134 days. average speed 93 km / h. This is a new world record set by the Petite Rosalie (8CV).

18 April 1934

Innovation. Security. Comfort. Efficiency. Citroen is introducing the all-new Type 7A, featuring front-wheel drive, frameless one-piece steel bodywork, hydraulic brakes on four wheels, independent torsion bar suspension, resilient overhead valve engine and removable cylinder liners ...

01 October 1934

New Traction at the Paris Motor Show: 11. Based on the body of the Model 7, extended by 14 cm and lengthened by 20 cm. This model has a 46 hp engine. and a 3-speed gearbox with speeds up to 106 km / h.

12 December 1934

The release of the Traction Avant model does not solve the serious financial difficulties of the company, and the company is unable to meet its financial obligations. At that time, Citroen is the leading national as well as European car manufacturer and is the second in the world. At the request of the government, Michelin, the main creditor, is writing off the company's debts and putting Citroen back on its feet. Citroen continues to operate under Michelin control.

03 July 1935

As a result of a serious illness, Andre Citroën died. Pierre Boulanger becomes the CEO of the company.

1936

Pierre Boulanger launches the project of the popular subcompact car, the future 2CV. Its technical characteristics say: "A car designed to carry four people and 50 kg of potatoes, reaching a speed of up to 60 km / h, with a consumption of 3 liters of gasoline per 100 km, which should provide a comfortable ride."

October 1936

Citroen unveils the 11 MI with a diesel engine at the Paris Motor Show. It is the world's first passenger production model with a diesel engine.

12 January 1938

First road tests of the TPV (subcompact) prototype that will become the famous 2CV.

01 October 1938

Citroën traction avant 15 CV

The Traction Avant family expands with the 15-Six. Spacious, comfortable, fast car (135 km / h), easy to drive. With its excellent roadholding, the 15-Six is ​​quickly becoming the Queen of the Road.

April 1939

Citroen launches the TUB, a B-Series commercial vehicle with a modern design, extended cab and sliding side loading door.

23 August 1939

The French test department registers the 2CV and is now ready to debut on the market.

1940

03 June 1940

The Citroen plant on the Javelle embankment comes under bombardment. Factory staff dismantle and hide undamaged 2CV prototypes. Due to the occupation, production practically stops.

1941

Due to the lack of fuel, Citroën decides not to suffer losses and offers new alternatives to ensure the mobility of its customers.

1942

1942

The second bombing of the plant on the Javel embankment, production facilities were seriously damaged.

06 November 1944

The first Citroen truck

Following appropriate action, Citroën launches its first truck at the Javelle Quay plant a year after the bombing.

1945

The plant on the Javel embankment has been restored. Citroën manages to respond quickly to increasing demands. Production reaches 13.4% of its pre-war level.

1946

CHAMPS NON RENSEIGNE

In France, the restoration process is in full swing. Half of Citroën's cars are commercial vehicles.

01 October 1946

At the Paris Motor Show, Citroën is unveiling three new models: the 11 B, known as the "11 normale" (standard model), the 11 BL known as the "11 Légère" (lightweight model), and the 15-sixG.

June 1947

First presentation of the Type H. Company President Pierre Boulanger announces the technical specifications: a front-wheel drive single-volume vehicle that will adapt the features of the four-cylinder Traction Avant with reinforced rear suspension. The main goal is to maximize the use of parts of other cars of the company.

07 October 1948

Citroen 2CV presentation

Finally, the 2CV is presented to the public and to the President of the Republic, Vincent Oriol, at the Paris Motor Show. This model surprises with its unusual appearance and expresses a new philosophy of personal transport. It will be released in various modifications with a circulation of over 5 million copies until July 27, 1990.

October 1949

At the Paris Motor Show, Citroën unveils the Type HZ, a small van with a payload of 850 kg, capable of speeds up to 88 km / h.

1950

October 1950

Inspired by the success of the 2CV model, the line to buy which lined up 6 years ahead, Citroen at the Paris Motor Show presents to the public a modification of the van: payload 250 kg, 375 cm3 engine with a maximum speed of 60 km / h and a fuel consumption of 5 liters per 100 km ...

11 November 1950

Pierre Boulanger, CEO of Citroen, died at the age of 65 (born March 10, 1885)

1951

The Citroen 15 CV becomes the official vehicle of the French authorities.

March 1951

Start of production of the 2CV van; the production of this car will number over 1.2 million copies in the period up to March 1978.

June 1952

To meet the needs of its customers, Citroen is extending the rear of the Tractions Avant to double the boot capacity.

1953

Commercial vehicle Citroen Type 55

The Type 55 commercial vehicle replaces the Type 45. Gasoline and diesel engines, 76 hp, 5,000 kg payload with a gross vehicle weight of 9,300 kg. The bus "55 UADI" with a 6-cylinder diesel engine with 29 seats is also produced.

May 1954

Citroen 15 six

The 15-Six has a fixed height hydropneumatic suspension at the rear. A real technical breakthrough from the Citroen design bureau.

20 July 1955

Completion of production of the 15-Six after a 23-year career.

06 October 1955

Citroen DS at the Paris Motor Show

A technical and aesthetic revolution at the Paris Motor Show. Citroen unveils the DS, a sci-fi car. Original design, avant-garde interior trim, hydropneumatic suspension and fully hydraulic steering. 750 cars were sold in just 45 minutes, 12,000 the next day and 80,000 before the show was closed.

1955

CHAMPS NON RENSEIGNE (1956)

Appearance of the ID 19 model in the model range. Available in the Standard version (63 hp, 4,000 rpm and 130 km / h) and the Lux version (66 hp, 4,500 rpm and 135 km / h).

May 1957

Appearance of the ID 19 model in the model range. Available in the Standard version (63 hp, 4,000 rpm and 130 km / h) and the Lux version (66 hp, 4,500 rpm and 135 km / h).

July 1957

Complete completion of production of the Traction Avant after more than 750,000 units have been produced.

March 1958

Presentation of 2CV 4x4 vehicles, also known as 2CV Sahara. This four-wheel drive vehicle with two 425 cm3 engines has an increased cross-country ability: it is able to climb sandy slopes with a slope of more than 40% with full load.

09 October 1958

In honor of the founder of the company, the Javel embankment receives the name Andre Citroen embankment.

1959

Pioneer. Citroen is invited to exhibit the DS car body at an international exhibition of design art, chaired by architect Giovanni Gio Ponti, at the Triennale Museum in Milan.

1959

Winning ID 19 at the Monte Carlo Rally with the Colteloni-Alexandre-Derozier crew. As a result, Citroen decides to participate in various car competitions.

1960

01 October 1960

At the Paris Motor Show, Citroen unveils the DS 19 convertible with a body from Henri Chapron. This car has the widest range of options for personalization: 76 color combinations, 13 body colors and 11 shades of leather trim on the upholstery!

1960

Opening of a plant in the suburbs of Rennes (Brittany). With state-of-the-art equipment and automation, the plant is designed to produce 1,200 vehicles per day. This is Citroen's first full-cycle plant.

24 April 1961

Launching Ami 6 on the same day across Europe. Ami 6 complemented the lineup; its main differences are the pronounced lines of the body and the rear concave glass.

22 August 1962

General de Gaulle survives an assassination attempt at Petit Clamart near Paris. Despite the ridged wheels, the Citroen DS presidential car continued to drive without further damage.

October 1962

In October, at the Paris Motor Show, which is being held for the first time at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center, Citroen will present the updated DS 19. It features a new front end design and new bumpers, which have been developed to improve aerodynamic properties and performance (vehicle speed reaches 160 km / h).

1963

Creation of the sports division of Citroen under the leadership of Rene Cotton.

07 February 1964

Legendary Citroen designer Flaminio Bertoni dies. He was at the forefront of the creation of the legendary DS 19 and Ami 6.

September 1964

Citroen introduces the DS 19 Pallas, a sophisticated vehicle that places great emphasis on interior design and finish.

October 1964

Citroen Ami 6 station wagon

Paris Motor Show: Presentation of the Ami 6 station wagon and a new option for all Citroen cars - seat belts.

December 1964

The 2CV gets new front hinged doors.

September 1965

The arrival of the new DS 21. More powerful, with a new 5-bearing crankshaft engine, the DS 21 is also equipped with an automatic headlight range control to compensate for dynamic fluctuations in the vehicle chassis height above the road surface.

January 1965

The last rally for the Citroen DS car driven by Flying Finn Pauli Toivonen ends in victory in Monte Carlo.

July 1967

Between the 2CV and the Ami 6, the Citroen range is expanded with the Dyane. This vehicle uses the proven 2CV undercarriage (425 cc two-cylinder engine, 4-speed gearbox, speed up to 100 km / h and consumption 4.9 liters / 100 km) and a completely new body. With a tailgate and folding rear seats, this car is a sedan with all the benefits of a station wagon.

September 1967

All DS and ID models have been redesigned (fenders, bonnet, bumper, lower fairing, and an optical system of four headlights, two of which swivel in the direction of travel).

January 1968

The Dyane 6 debuts. This car is equipped with a more powerful engine compared to the Ami model (602 cc, 110 km / h and a consumption of 6.1 liters / 100 km).

May 1968

Citroen expands the family of small two-cylinder cars with the Méhari model. An original, universal off-road vehicle. The use of a plastic body eliminates the risk of corrosion and increases resistance to minor impacts.

March 1969

The Ami 8 replaces the Ami 6. This car features a new body design that is simplified and sleeker for improved visibility.

September 1969

Another victory over the competition with the DS 21 marks the first use of an electronically controlled injection system in a French production vehicle. (12 hp, 188 km / h for 10 liters / 100 km).

07 October 1969

Launch of the millionth DS car, the DS 21 with a gold body.

1970

January 1970

Limited edition of 267 pieces. Body based on the Ami 8. 2-door 4-seater coupe. Hydropneumatic suspension. 995cc single rotor piston engine and 4-speed gearbox. The M35 prototype is a true laboratory on wheels. Citroen offers it to its customers who want to try it, with a range of over 30,000 km / year.

March 1970

Citroen SM

Born into the light of an agreement with Maserati in 1968, the sporty and respectable Citroen SM touring car inherits DS's expertise in all-wheel drive and hydraulic suspension. It is equipped with a Maserati six-cylinder V-engine, a five-speed gearbox and a Diravi electric power steering system. Its dynamic qualities captivate connoisseurs not only in France and Europe, but also in the United States of America.

October 1970

Sitting between the Ami 8 and the DS in Citroen's lineup, the GS unveiled at the Paris Motor Show features a new body that remains the most aerodynamic in the world for years to come. It also features an air-cooled flat four-cylinder engine with hydropneumatic suspension.

1970

With the Paris-Persepolis-Paris Rally, Citroen is giving 1,300 young people from all walks of life an exciting journey behind the wheel of a 2CV, model Dyane or Méhari, 13,800 kilometers from the outskirts of Paris to southern Iran.

1970

Citroen GS wins Car of the Year 1971

GS car wins Car of the Year award.

April 1971

First participation in competitions, first victory. We are talking about Citroen SM at the rally in Morocco.

September 1972

The DS 23 with a carburetor and electronically controlled injection system replaces the DS 21. It is equipped with a new 2347 cm3 engine (speed up to 188 km / h and consumption 12 liters / 100 km).

February 1973

Super Ami = Ami body + GS 4-cylinder engine.

1974

Merger of Citroen and Peugeot

Michelin and the Peugeot group decide to merge Citroen and Peugeot to create a large international company.

March 1974

Market launch of the C35. Commercial vehicle with 1,885 kg payload built in conjunction with Fiat.

October 1974

Citroen cx

Citroen CX presented at the Paris Motor Show. Less revolutionary than its predecessor, the DS, which it replaced, the CX combines the company's latest technological advances. The best evidence of this is the transversely mounted engine / gearbox assembly, fixed height hydropneumatic suspension, single-blade wiper, concave taillights and a futuristic instrument panel.

January 1975

CHAMPS NON RENSEIGNE (1975)

The CX wins Car of the Year, Safety and Style awards.

24 April 1975

The last DS car leaves the assembly line at the Javel plant. 1,330,755 and the latest is the DS 23 Pallas Bleu Delta with electronically controlled injection.

January 1976

First presentation of the CX utility vehicle.

01 October 1976

The first presentation of the Citroen LN is taking place at the Paris Motor Show. Smallest engine in the range with the smallest body (based on the Peugeot 104 coupe). Air-cooled, 602 cc, twin-cylinder engine, 32 hp, 4-speed gearbox, speed up to 120 km / h and consumption 5.9 liters / 100 km.

1976

CX 2400s take the top 5 spots on the Senegal road trip

April 1977

Presentation of the special limited edition "Dyane Caban" of 1,500 pieces.

May 1977

CX 2400 GTI: electronically controlled injection, 2,347 cc engine, 128 hp, top speed 189 km / h and consumption 8.1 liters / 100 km.

February 1978

Introduction of the CX Prestige, featuring a 25 cm longer body.

March 1978

The Acadiane, a new small commercial vehicle based on the Dyane, replaces the 2CV. Engine with a volume of 602 cm3, 31 h.p. and speeds up to 100 km / h.

October 1978

At the Paris Motor Show, Citroen presents two new products: the LNA model, which replaced the LN, and the Visa model. These new vehicles are equipped with AEI (Electronic Ignition System) - the first in the world to have this system installed on a production vehicle.

May 1979

Méhari all-wheel drive model

Launch of the Méhari 4x4 model. This model is equipped with a 7-speed gearbox (4 normal and 3 transfer) and a gear reverse gear.

1980

October 1980

The 2CV gets a two-tone body and round headlights with the introduction of the 2CV Charleston. Originally envisioned as a limited edition of 8,000 copies, the 2CV Charleston has enjoyed overwhelming success, leading to the launch of this model in series production in 1981.

March 1981

The Visa is replaced by the Visa II with a new body and a more efficient engine.

May 1981

Citroen launches the new C25 commercial vehicle, co-produced with Peugeot and Fiat.

July 1982

Occupying the top positions of the Visa model range, the Visa GT replaces the Visa II Super X. It is equipped with a 1,360 cm3 80 hp engine, has a top speed of 168 km / h and a consumption of 5.6 liters / 100 km.

September 1982

Presentation of the production model BX, designed to win new customers. It is a 5-door and 5-seater hatchback that sits between the GSA and CX in the model range. It comes with 3 engines to choose from: 1,360 cc and 62 hp with 4-speed gearbox, 1,360 cc and 72 hp with 5-speed gearbox and 1,580 displacement and 90 hp with 5-speed gearbox gear.

February 1983

Launch of the Visa convertible: the roof with flexible rear window can be folded completely or only at the front.

July 1983

From this date, all Citroen production vehicles are equipped with a laminated windshield.

1983

Citroen is launching a women's racing series with Michelin: 11 finalists have been selected from 6,000 candidates. 6 tests were carried out and only 2 of the finalists became factory testers.

September 1984

Launch of the BX 19 GT, equipped with an on-board computer and a 1,905 cc (185 km / h) engine.

October 1984

Citroen CX 25 GTi Turbo

CX 25 GTi Turbo: Highest performance in its category. 2,500 cc engine with electronically controlled injection and turbocharger, 168 hp, speed up to 220 km / h.

October 1984

The C15 E (petrol) and C15 D (diesel) are two small commercial vehicles with a payload of 570 kg, based on the Visa model.

January 1985

Launch of the Visa GTi model. 1,580 cc engine with electronically controlled injection, 105 hp and a 5-speed gearbox allows the car to reach speeds of up to 188 km / h.

1985 March

October 1986

//

Citroen unveils the AX at the Paris Motor Show. Front-wheel drive 3-door hatchback with 0.31 drag coefficient. It is equipped with a completely new transversely vertically mounted transmission.

1987

Citroen AX enters the small sports car market, first in March with the AX Sport and then in October with the AX GT. This model takes part in the Moroccan Rally and the Monte Carlo Rally.

January 1987

From now on, Citroen provides a 5-year anti-corrosion warranty on all models.

July 1987

Presentation of the new BX 19 GTi with the first French 16-valve engine (4 cylinders, 1,905 cc, 164 hp, top speed 218 km / h).

July 1988

Operation Dragon

Operation Dragon. 140 young drivers from all over Europe make a rally over 4,500 km across China in a Citroen AX between Shenzhen and Beijing.

October 1988

At the Paris International Motor Show, Citroen presents the "Activa" model. It is an experimental prototype that has served as the basis for the development of projects such as the development of four-wheel drive and electronically controlled suspension.

December 1988

The AX Sport Turbo takes 7 podiums out of 10 in the French Super Manufacturers Championship.

February 1989

Two new all-wheel drive BX models launched at dealerships: the BX 4x4 and the BX 4x4 Evasion. Their all-wheel drive includes the following 3 differentials: front, center with locking and rear with limited slip.

23 May 1989

Citroen adds a new model to the lineup: the Xm. This is a serial liftback designed by Bertone, the world's first suspension system that combines electronic control with the power and flexibility of hydraulics. The moment of birth of the Hydractive suspension.

1990

1990

Citroen XM wins Car of the Year award

The Xm wins Car of the Year and 14 international awards.

27 July 1990

After the release of 5,114,940 copies, production of 2CV cars was ceremoniously stopped at the plant in Mangualdi (Portugal). The car quickly became popular with collectors.

October 1990

At the Paris Motor Show, Citroen is once again showcasing its technological advancements. The electric cars C15 and C25 sit next to a working prototype of the Activa 2, a true star of the interior. The Activa 2 is powered by a 200 hp, 24-valve, three-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, active lateral control and a 5-function screen.

17 January 1991

ZX Rallye raid driven by Ari Vatanen wins 13th victory in Paris-Tripoli-Dakar (9,186 km)

March 1991

CHAMPS NON RENSEIGNE (1991)

Citroen unveils the ZX at the Geneva Motor Show. It will be launched as a "collection" of 4 models (Reflex, Avantage, Aura and Volcane), which sit between the AX and BX in the range. The ZX is the first European car with a reclining sliding back seat.

20 April 1992

The prototype Citroen electric car Citela attracts the main attention of visitors to the French pavilion at the World Exhibition in Seville.

29 September 1992

60 years after the Yellow Raid, the crew of Pierre Lartigue / Michel Perenn takes part in the Paris-Moscow-Beijing rally 16,000 km long and wins first place in a Citroen ZX Rallye Raid.

01 March 1993

Sales of the Xantia, a 5-door sedan, 4.44 m long, co-produced by Citroen and Bertone atelier. The Xantia model implements all the company's technological achievements not only in order to set new industry standards in driving comfort, but also to equip the car with a powerful passive safety system (Hydractive 2)

21 September 1993

Launch of the 2,000,000th AX at the Aulnay-sous-bois plant.

14 January 1994

The first presentation of the Citroen Jumper on the occasion of the opening of the commercial vehicle showroom in Geneva. The product of collaboration with Peugeot and Fiat, Citroen Jumper is extremely attractive: looks, new gasoline and diesel engines, new transmissions.

March 1994

Presentation of the Citroen Evasion at the Geneva Motor Show. It combines all the qualities of an executive sedan in terms of handling, comfort, road behavior and safety.

October 1994

The Xantia Activa, unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, is the first vehicle in the world to change ground clearance thanks to its active SC.CAR transverse control system. It is also equipped with additional features such as a driver's airbag, electrically operated rear power windows and, finally, seat backs adjustable in width.

February 1995

Launch of the millionth ZX at the Onet-sous-Bois (Olney) plant.

15 September 1995

Transport exhibition. Citroen presents the Jumpy, a commercial vehicle, compact and versatile (payload 815 kg and usable volume 4 m3).

November 1995

The Citroen AX Electrique debuts on the market. Power: 20 kW. Maximum speed: 91 km / h. Autonomy: 75 km within the city limits. Available in 3-door / 4-seater hatchback and 2-seater commercial vehicle versions.

02 November 1995

1996

The Saxo Cup replaces the Coupe AX.

1996

In 8 months, the Onet-sous-Bois (Olney) plant produced 100,000 Saxo vehicles.

July 1996

Commercial realization of the Citroen Berlingo car. Despite the fact that the style of the Berlingo is more like a sedan than a commercial vehicle, its useful volume is 3m3 with a payload of 800 kg.

September 1996

Minivan Citroen Berlingo

The first appearance of the Berlingo minivan, practical and comfortable, the start of sales of which is scheduled for early 1997.

22 August 1997

International PR company for young Europeans from 18 to 35 years old: Rally in a Citroen Berlingo on the route Paris-Samarkand-Moscow.

11 September 1997

Citroen Xsara (4.17 m) joins the lineup, sitting between Saxo (3.72 m) and Xantia (4.52 m). The next generation symbol at the top of the lineup, Xsara demonstrates the company's leadership in comfort, safety and on-road behavior.

06 February 1998

At the retro car show, Citroen is showing three unique pre-war 2CVs, produced in accordance with 1939 certification.

25 March 1998

The 500,000th Saxo vehicle leaves the assembly line under the patronage of the sculptor Cesar.

October 1998

Concept car Citroen C3 "Lumière"

Citroen is looking to the future with the C3 Lumière concept car, which serves as the prototype for the new model. It features an innovative and versatile architecture in terms of functionality and interior layout.

October 1998

Centenary of the Paris Motor Show. Citroen unveils the Xsara Picasso, a compact vehicle that combines monocab and hatchback features with an original and innovative design.

1998

1 million de Citroën Xantia & Citroën Saxo produites

The millionth Xantia is produced at the Rennes-la-Janais plant, and the millionth Saxo is produced from the Aulnay-sous-bois assembly line.

11 March 1999

Concept car Citroen C6 "Lignage"

"The Art of Traveling with Citroen" or the presentation of the C6 Lignage at the Geneva Motor Show. The C6 Lignage illustrates the architectural and design possibilities of the company's upcoming executive model. At the same Citroen stand, the visitor can also linger at the Pluriel exhibition sample, an original model that does not fit into any traditional segment.

2000

1999

Construction of the Citroen Museum in Onet-sous-Bois (Olney). This 6,700 m2 building was built with the aim of preserving the Citroën car models produced since the company was founded and preserved to this day. Its opening is scheduled for November 28, 2001.

02 March 2000

CHAMPS NON RENSEIGNE (2000)

Citroen C3 Pluriel presentation at the Geneva Motor Show.

30 September 2000

Status, power, dynamism, endurance. Citroen unveils the C5 at the Paris Motor Show. To help bridge the gap between pedestrians and cyclists, the company is also introducing the Osmose concept car, aimed primarily at the city. The car of the future, sociable and open. It will then be exhibited at the Georges Pompidou Center.

2001

Citroen's young hope, Sebastian Loeb and his co-driver Daniel Helena won the French Championship in an Xsara KitCar. The same crew became the Junior World Rally Champion in a Saxo Super 1600.

2001 September

At the Frankfurt Motor Show, Citroen unveils the C3 and introduces the C-Crosser concept car: 3-seater front, movable driver's seat (three positions: left, center and right) electronically controlled ("x-by- wire "), no steering column. It is a versatile vehicle that combines adventure, freedom and comfort.

07 March 2002

At the Geneva Motor Show, Citroen unveils the C8, a car for traveling with family or friends, where everything is thought out to the smallest detail.

25 August 2002

The first world victory of Loeb and Elena

At the stage of the World Rally Championship in Germany, the young Loeb / Helena crew won their first victory.

28 September 2002

C-Airdream is the company's new concept car. This 2 + 2 coupe, unveiled at the Paris International Motor Show, is an opportunity for the company to continue its design developments further.

06 March 2003

Geneva Motor Show, presentation of the C2 Citroen Sport concept car. A joint development product of the concept car division and the Citroen Sport division.

08 September 2003

In Frankfurt, Citroen confirms its intentions with the production of the C2, a fine example of a small compact 3-door sedan for 4 people. Another star of the German show is the C-Airlounge concept car, which once again showcases the company's creativity.

08 November 2003

After 13 podiums, Citroen wins the 2003 World Rally Championship. Sebastian Loeb is second in the driver's category.

2004

Launch of the millionth Xsara Picasso.

25 September 2004

At the Paris Motor Show, Citroen is showcasing the C4 in hatchback and coupe bodies, the new C5 sedan and C5 station wagon, and the C3 with Stop & Start, designed to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

17 October 2004

Sebastian Loeb - World Rally Champion

At the end of the rally in Corsica and without waiting for the end of the championship, Citroen wins the second world title in the constructors' championship. Sebastian Loeb, finishing second in the race, earns his first World Rally Championship title.

October 2005

First world presentation of the C-Sportlounge concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

08 October 2005

50th anniversary of the DS model. 1,600 DS cars take part in the Citroën birthday parade in Paris.

18 February 2006

CHAMPS NON RENSEIGNE (2006)

Citroen creates C-Triomphe concept car for China

06 September 2006

At the Paris Motor Show, Citroen unveils a new concept car that combines passion and practicality. The C-Métisse showcases new options designed exclusively for driving pleasure.

30 September 2006

Launch of the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso, which is positioned above the Xsara Picasso in the model range.

March 2007

Citroen is unveiling the C-Crosser at the Geneva Motor Show, which is slated for market launch in July. The first SUV of the company, designed for 5 + 2 seats, is characterized by high cross-country ability due to its dimensions and all-wheel drive.

27 September 2007

The company is completing its work on the preparation of the exhibition hall at 42 Champs Elysees. Inauguration of the exhibition hall C_42. For 6 months, this iconic place receives more than 1 million visitors.

18 October 2007

Citroen unveils the C5 Airscape concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show, a large convertible sedan that heralds a new C5 in the near future.

15 January 2008

At the Brussels Motor Show, the company unveils the new Citroen C5. The designers started their work from scratch to create a new generation car.

08 July 2008

In the Picasso family, the younger brother of the Citroen C3 Picasso appears, an innovative vehicle that stands out for its audacious style, innovative architecture and ingenuity.

10 September 2008

In the family car category of the company, the Citroen Némo Combi appears next to the Berlingo Multispace. Among other things, it is characterized by its compact external dimensions (3.96 m in length) and a spacious interior.

October 2008

The motto of the Citroën stand at the 2008 Paris International Salon is Innovation, Sustainability and Creativity. In total, at least 34 cars, 11 new models and 8 concept cars are exhibited. Of note are the GTbyCitroen, 2CV Hermes, C-Cactus and Hypnos concept cars, as well as the Citroen C3 Pluriel Charleston, a hint of history.

Citroen C Quatre three-compartment car at the Shanghai Auto Show

Citroen is expanding its lineup in China and is unveiling two new vehicles at the Shanghai International Auto Show: the C-Quatre sedan and the new C5, which will be built in Wuhan.

October 2009

Révolte (Riot). With this self-explanatory name given to the latest concept car, Citroen shows how courage and progress are inherent in the company. This is a small urban super-elegant car that combines luxury with audacity.

October 2009

First showroom for the presentation of the new Citroen C3 in Frankfurt. Citroen is pursuing an ambitious goal: to renew the bestseller, more than 2 million copies.

2010

14 January 2010

88th Brussels Motor Show. The company unveils its new Citroen C-Zéro compact car. Thus, Citroen is expanding its presence in the small car segment by offering a 100% electric vehicle to facilitate mobility in urban areas.

18 January 2010

About a year after the DS Inside presentation (Geneva 2009), Citroen unveils the DS3 and opens the new DS line, announced a year earlier. This line of special vehicles, based on the most radical solutions, complements the main range.

02 March 2010

Citroen unveils the Survolt at the Geneva Motor Show: destroying stereotypes and exciting the imagination. The company continues to move towards the development of electric car models, special and extraordinary, already brought to life with the release of the Revolte concept car a few months earlier.

18 April 2010

Metropolis concept car

On the eve of the opening of the showroom in Shanghai, Citroen presents the Métropolis model. The first concept car developed by the Shanghai Design Center, which was launched in 2008. This concept car will be on display at the Beijing Motor Show in October, as well as at the French Pavilion of the Shanghai World Expo

23 August 2010

Citroen Racing engineers are working on the DS3 Sport Chic to improve performance and performance. Redesigned engine, steering, chassis and new name - DS3 Racing.

15 September 2010

As with the new Citroen C5 launched in 2008 and the C3 launched in 2009, the new Citroen C4 showcases the company's innovations and technologies that are used in the future refresh of the main lineup.

30 September 2010

Citroen unveils the concept car Citroen Lacoste, the car of the future at the Paris International Exhibition. It is a new image of the car that resists the "more and more" stereotype and calls for a measured approach to life.

01 March 2011

Launch of the Citroen DS4. This 2nd car in the DS line features a new shape of the raised 4-door coupé, which combines dynamism and versatility to create a new driving experience.

01 March 2011

Citroen Multicity launch

Citroen becomes the first car company to offer the Multicity service, which covers all modes of transport, making travel much easier: www.multicity.citroen.fr.

18 April 2011

Following the Citroen DS3 and DS4 models, the Company presents the DS5 model in Shanghai. Slender and daring, the Citroen DS5 fits perfectly into the DS line, while differentiating itself with its architecture, feel, style and sophistication.

27 July 2011

19th World Meeting of Citroen 2CV Friends. On the anniversary of the end of production of the 2CV, more than 20,000 enthusiasts gather around 7,000 examples of this legendary car and its modifications (Ami 6 and 8, Dyane, Méhari ...)

September 2011

64th Frankfurt Motor Show. With its Tubik concept car, which is similar to the Type H cars from the future, Citroen expresses its vision of the mobility of tomorrow, where the journey itself will be as important as the destination. The challenge for Tubik is the creation of a 9-seater vehicle that, in terms of design and equipment, will not be inferior to a modern sedan.

24 October 2011

With 70 Facebook communities, Citroen has over a million fans around the world.

11 February 2012

Eighty years after the Yellow Raid Expedition, Xavier and Antonin, two ground engineers, set off on their first trip around the world in a Citroen C-Zéro electric car. 8 months, 25,000 kilometers, 17 countries for 250 euros in electricity bills!

01 April 2012

Citroen is expanding its range with the C4 Aircross. In a rapidly growing segment with this new model, Citroen is aiming to utilize the traditional compact SUV design, combining innovative technology and modern design.

13 April 2012

Citroen Numero 9

Numero 9 (Number 9) - this is the name of the latest development of the company. It is a concept car, a new expression of the DS line, which reiterates the familiar, prestigious silhouette known in automotive history: the station wagon.

June 2012

Expansion of the company: Citroen launches Citroen C4 Sedan and C-Elysée models one after another. These two saloons, consisting of three sections, are intended in particular for the rapidly developing world markets such as the Mediterranean countries, China and Russia.

October 2012

Citroen begins taking orders for the new DS3 Cabrio at the Paris International Motor Show. This convertible version of the Citroen DS3 combines all the advantages of the base version (design, driving feel and capacity) with the pleasure of driving a convertible. The roof can be opened at speeds up to 120 km / h.

Up

The pride of the French - the "sent down" brand Citroën

Car brands can be iconic and historical, but this is not about Citroën, which combines both. All this is because the company has always been faithful to its traditions and was ahead of its time in its development. Only cars of this brand were chosen by the head of state and Fantômas, and it was the Citroën car that saved his life during the assassination attempt on General de Gaulle. In the homeland of the company, in France, Citroën cars are called "sent from above" and are rightfully proud of them.

The origins of the auto brand

Andre Citroen was born in 1878. His father Levi Citroën at that time was a successful entrepreneur involved in the processing of precious stones and their subsequent sale. But his father was not his mentor in the business world. When Andre was only 6 years old, the head of the family committed suicide. After Levi's death, his family inherited not only a large inheritance, but more importantly, connections in Parisian financial and industrial circles. In those years, the sons traditionally continued to run the family business, but the young Citroen was far from trading, he was more attracted by technology. Therefore, after graduating from the Polytechnic School at 23, he goes to work in the workshops of his friends Esten, who are engaged in the production of parts for steam locomotives. After 4 years, Andre invests all his inheritance in the Estenov business and becomes a co-owner of their business.

While in Poland, Citroen happened to get to a small factory, where, among other parts, gears were also produced, designed by an unknown self-taught mechanic. Citroen immediately realized the promise of this technology and acquired a patent for its application. Having become a partner in Estenov's business, the enterprising André establishes the production of gears at the plant, which were much more advanced than their competitors' counterparts. Soon, these products begin to be in demand in many countries, which in turn brings huge financial profits to their owners. From that time, the now-known almost everyone's corporate logo of the company originates in the form of two inverted letters "V", which are a schematic designation of bevel gears. The French themselves call this emblem "double chevron".

At the plant, Andre was engaged in fulfilling the duties of not only a commercial, but also a technical director. And in a short time, the young entrepreneur no longer had worthy competitors. Thanks to the excellent reputation earned, Citroen was invited in 1908 to the car factory. He could take the position of technical director, after which the business of the company began to go uphill.

The First World War did not prevent Andre from showing his entrepreneurial skills. Realizing how catastrophic things are for the French army with ammunition, Citroen offers the Ministry of War to conclude a contract with him for the construction of a plant for a large-scale production of shells in three months. After lengthy negotiations, the state nevertheless agrees to Citroen's proposal and allocates 20% of the required amount to him. André borrows the remaining money from his friends, financiers and industrialists. During this three-month period, a plant appeared on the empty banks of the Seine, producing more ammunition than all other enterprises combined. Andre himself attributed his successes to "excellent organization."

Andre Citroen's first steps in the automotive industry

Even when the war was in full swing, the entrepreneur got carried away with the idea of ​​creating his own car and ordered the designers of the drawings of the car, which later received his name. And when the war ended, Citroen had everything to organize its own car manufacturing enterprise: experience, highly qualified specialists, production facilities where ammunition was previously created, and huge sums of money earned in the war. In 1912, André visited Ford factories and learned details about the American assembly line car production. After 7 years, Citroen, together with engineer Jules Salomon, began to create cars.

In 1919, all French newspapers were full of announcements about the imminent release of a new car, the cost of which would be only 7.25 thousand francs. At the time, no automaker could offer a similarly low cost. This news had a stunning effect. In just a couple of weeks, about 16 thousand applications were received for the purchase of a novelty called Citroën "A", which was released in the late spring of 1919. The model was equipped with a 1.3-liter engine that develops a power of 10 "horses", as well as, for the first time among European cars, an electric starter. Citroën "A" could reach a maximum speed of 60 km per hour and had a fairly spacious interior. At the same time, already in the "base" the car was equipped with headlights, a horn and a spare wheel. The same elements were available only as an option for cars of other brands. Andre's factory produced 100 copies of the model daily. Citroen was the first among European manufacturers to start mass production of cars and make this transport not a luxury item, but a means of transportation. In parallel with this, the businessman, in secret from everyone, is studying at his factory the device of such famous American cars as Studebaker, Buick and Nash, as well as various options for the serial production of cars. In just 4 years, the number of Model A produced increased to 300 units daily. At the same time, the company presents a rather simple four-cylinder subcompact 5CV. This reliable "folk" car, adapted to rural roads, lacked front brakes, but had elliptical springs at the front and rear. A few years later, more advanced models such as the B12 and B14 appear.

Citroen's ingenious advertising moves

Once he learned about some English pilot of an airplane who could write various words in the sky with the help of bends leaving a white trail, Andre immediately had a brilliant idea. And then one day letters four hundred meters in size appeared on the sky background forming the five-kilometer inscription "Citroën". Although five minutes later there was no trace of the inscription, on which an incredible amount was spent, but it fulfilled its task, only the lazy was not talking about the Citroën brand.

The most creative idea of ​​André can be called the idea of ​​"The Eiffel Tower" on fire ". Thanks to the 125 thousand lamps installed on the tower, all Parisians and visitors to the city could enjoy an incredible spectacle, when the lights formed alternately ten images, including, of course, the name "Citroën".

Difficult period in the history of the brand

The financial crisis that broke out in the early 30s did not bypass Andre's "brainchild". Nevertheless, despite the difficulties, the company manages to release such famous cars as the Citroën C4 and C6 during this period. The C6 model was equipped with a 6-cylinder engine and could accelerate to almost 100 km / h. In 1933, in less than six months, the entrepreneur rebuilds his factories located on the Javelle embankment, and as a result, an automobile giant with an area of ​​55 thousand square meters appears on this site with a continuous production line that produces a thousand copies of the brand's cars every day.

The weak point in Citroen's activities was that his ideas were always ahead of his financial capabilities, and therefore he was always in big debt. This turned against him in 1934, when lenders stopped giving him new loans, and the decreased demand for cars did not allow him to get out of this situation with his own funds. After a series of unsuccessful attempts to find other investors, the entrepreneur had to declare himself bankrupt. Most of the company's shares in the amount of 60 percent went to the Michelin concern. Shortly thereafter, the company begins to produce a truly revolutionary car at that time called the 7CV Traction Avant, which has a monocoque body, a front-wheel drive system and an independent torsion bar suspension.

But Andre was not destined to see with his own eyes the success of this car, in the early spring of 1935 Citroen was gone. The official reason for his departure was stomach cancer, but the financial difficulties that fell on him, as well as the death of his daughter, played an important role in his imminent death.

The company after the death of its founder

Released in 1934, a novelty with an innovative design was at the top of technical progress for a long time, thanks to which its production continued for another 12 years. It was thanks to 7CV Traction Avant that the brand managed to recover relatively quickly after the end of the crisis. But before the onset of this period of recovery, the company experienced many difficulties: the dismissal of 8 thousand workers, the closure of the Italian assembly plant, etc.

During the war, the company worked mainly for the needs of the army, but also produced in small quantities the 7CV Traction Avant model already supplied to the conveyor. By the beginning of 1946, the automaker had produced 9.32 thousand copies of the model, and a year later this number increased to 24.44 thousand units. Citroën was gradually revived. The management continues to maintain the established tradition of experimentation. The result of this desire was the rebuilt plant in Levallois, where separate work areas are created for the assembly of motors. A little later, another legendary model, Traction Avant 2CV, began to be produced at the same enterprise. This long-liver was nicknamed "Duck's Tail" by the people. Although the exterior of the model was not particularly attractive, and the engine was not particularly powerful, the car had another very important advantage - low cost. The model rolled off the assembly line for 42 years without any significant changes in design.

In 1955, Citroën again surprises the automotive world with the DS19 presented at the Paris Motor Show. Dubbed the "Goddess", the novelty with ideal aerodynamics created a real sensation not only with its futuristic appearance, but also with a number of technological innovations used to create it. The car was distinguished by a long flat hood gradually descending to the front bumper and a streamlined rear part with closed rear wheels. To create parts, the developers used plastic and aluminum alloys, and also equipped the model with disc brakes, power steering and, most importantly, a hydropneumatic suspension, which not only allowed to increase ground clearance, but also provided better handling and comfort. The DS19 was driven by a 4-cylinder 75-horsepower engine, which accelerated the model to 150 km / h.

A year later, the company produced the 1019, which was cheaper than the DS19, and in 1958, the ID19 station wagon based on the DS19 chassis, equipped with air conditioning and a cordless telephone, was released.

During the sixties, the company continues to actively develop, concludes contracts, opens production facilities in other countries and launches the production of new models. So, for example, during this period the Ami6 model is produced.

In the seventies, the company again found itself in a difficult situation. The extravagance for which the brand was so famous has ceased to generate a lot of income. And by the middle of the decade, due to the outbreak of the oil crisis, original, but highly fuel-efficient Citroën cars were no longer sold. To prevent bankruptcy, the company in 1974 decided on an alliance with Peugeot. Although this merger helped to save Citroën, the company completely lost its identity. The first "brainchild" of the union of the two companies was the Visa model, which was based on the Citroën 104. Under the hood of the novelty was a 2-cylinder 0.65 liter engine, supplemented by an air cooling system. To accommodate the interests of its companion, Citroën also released a variant of the Visa, equipped with a more powerful 1.1 liter 4-cylinder unit created by Peugeot.

In the 80s, the famous company logo changed - the blue and yellow colors were replaced by the white and reds. During this period, Citroën is actively engaged in the improvement of production, investing huge funds in the development of the concern. The investment pays off. In 1982, the new mid-size BX model was released, on which the XUD diesel engine was installed for the first time. In 1983, all management at the company's factories was computerized. Three years later, the concern begins to produce small cars of the AX class. And in 1989, the automotive world welcomes the XM model, distinguished by its elegant exterior and excellent driving characteristics.

By the beginning of the nineties, the fashion for original cars reappeared and Citroën, as one of the founders of extravagant and original design, did not miss the opportunity to express itself. This is how the ZX model appeared, with which the company officially returned to motorsport. During this decade, Citroën launched models such as the Xantia, Saxo, Xsara, Evasion and the Xsara Picasso.

In 1997, Jean-Martin Foltz began to occupy the position of the general director of the concern, who decided to make the two brands represented by the concern as different from each other as possible. This decision was decisive for Citroën, and it was the beginning of the revival of the legendary brand.

Citroën in the new century

The new millennium begins with a triumph for Citroën - the C5 makes its debut at the Paris Motor Show. The novelty was offered in station wagon and hatchback bodies, and was also equipped with the innovative Hydractive III hydraulic suspension, capable of operating in two modes (Sport and Comfort). The engine range of the model included a 210-horsepower V6 gasoline unit with a volume of 3 liters and a 2.2-liter diesel engine developing 136 "horses". It was with the release of this car that the concern returned to the alphanumeric designation of models.

The warranty period is extended to 2 years. In addition, for the first time within the PSA concern, a new robotic transmission SensoDrive is released. The innovation was applied to the C3 model, equipped with a 1.6-liter 16V engine.

In 2006, the C4 Picasso line appears, the firstborn of which, the seven-seater C4 Picasso model, distinguished by its original appearance and a spacious trunk, debuts at the Paris Motor Show. Later, on the basis of this model, the Peugeot 307 was created, as well as a five-seat variation of the C4 Picasso. In 2007, for the first time in the Citroën model range, a crossover appears. The novelty, called the C-Crosser, is equipped with a 2.2-liter turbodiesel engine producing 156 horsepower. The crossover is also offered with a 170-horsepower 2.4-liter petrol engine. The company also began to actively form the DS line, which includes premium cars.

French car manufacturers have not always aspired to take a place in the top ten in the world. Today these are ambitious corporations that, despite financial problems, offer quite adequate cars with good prices and successful technologies. But the confidence in the French car market has not yet been established at the proper level. In Europe, these cars are considered a budget class, comparing their performance and reliability with the Germans or even the Czechs. Therefore, the Citroen corporation turned out to be not so popular these days. However, there is some success in sales, especially in the new model line with an extensive range of vehicles for a wide variety of buyers.

The company's offer includes a lot of interesting cars with fascinating powertrains and unusual design features. But the company does not seek to promote cars in the Russian market. We have an extensive network of dealerships, and even a model made specifically for our market (C-Elysee). But the special popularity of the Citroen corporation was not achieved. This is due to the instability of the manufacturer, with a large number of questions about the factory assembly and with a number of other unpleasant moments. But let's talk about everything in proper order.

Citroen production facilities - an established network around the world

The development of the French brand began in 1919, that is, the brand is almost 100 years old. In the 80s of the last century, a joint Peugeot-Citroen corporation was created, which continues to cooperate to this day. However, the brands remain different, with separate budgets and a range of personal technologies. But most of the equipment is used on the machines of both companies at the same time.

PSA Peugeot-Citroen has several dozen manufacturing and car assembly plants around the world. There are production facilities on four continents (the company is not represented only in North America and Australia). The network of enterprises is especially widespread in Africa and Latin America, as well as in China. The features of the corporation are as follows:

• compliance with the quality of production and assembly of cars, despite such a wide geographical representation;
• control of each released vehicle by means of a multilevel vehicle check according to an established automatic scheme;
• execution of the most important parts and assemblies only at French enterprises with increased quality control;
• production of flagships under the guidance of the world's best engineers in the field of automotive production;
• attraction of professional employees around the world, search and creation of a team of professionals;
• solving financial issues and difficulties together with the largest corporations in the automotive industry;
• active cooperation with German and Italian manufacturers, development of joint technologies.

Such features allow Citroen to maintain leadership in some segments, presenting cars at exhibitions and auto shows around the world. Many people know that the Citroen company today is going through far from the best times in the financial sense, the concern has become a victim of the financial crisis. Nevertheless, the company continues to update the lineup and produce quite presentable and competitive cars for the European market. The French company is actively conquering the Chinese market and the countries of South America. All this allows us to hope for an improvement in the financial condition of the corporation in the world of auto.

The lineup and features of the equipment presented by the company

Many developments of the technical features of modern Citroen cars are carried out with the help of engineers from the largest European companies. Recently, cooperation with the Japanese corporation Mitsubishi has been frozen, but this cooperation has also given a certain shift in terms of the lineup. Even in Russia, despite the rather cold attitude towards French cars, it is fashionable to meet a lot of vehicles with the Citroen badge on the roads. Among the presented models, the following types of transport can be distinguished:

• C-Elysee - a new budget sedan with a good design and simple engines, created especially for Russia, starting price - 470,000 rubles;
• C1 - the smallest hatchback in the manufacturer's offer with little potential and cute looks, costing 520,000 rubles;
• C3 Picasso - an unusual volumetric hatchback with a non-standard design and impressive characteristics with a price of 850,000 rubles;
• C4 Sedan - a new model for the Russian market with a modern design and good technology under the hood with a price tag of 670,000 rubles;
• C4 Hatchback is a beautiful and stylish compact car with high build quality and materials at a cost of 820,000;
• C4 Aircross - a crossover built on a common C4 base with an expressive appearance and quite efficient engines, the price is from 1,000,000 rubles;
• C4 Picasso - in some way even a futuristic car with a huge interior and equipment unusual for the French for 1,145,000 rubles;
• Grand C4 Picasso - an even more impressive car with a spaceship design, especially inside, the cost starts at 1 210 000 rubles;
• C5 Sedan - a large luxury car with excellent performance and business class in the cabin with a price tag of 1,070,000;
• C5 Tourer - a station wagon based on the C5 with a huge interior space and amazing technical characteristics for 1,230,000 rubles;
• C5 Tourer XTR - a special version of the station wagon, equipped with the most powerful technology and with certain changes in design, the cost of 1.6 million;
• Berlingo Multispace is one of the most popular cars of the brand with huge competition but a very large number of sales starting at 800,000;
• Jumpy Multispace is a passenger minibus with premium space inside and costs from 1.4 million rubles.

Here is such an immodest lineup offered by Citroen in the passenger car segment. Commercial transport can also be listed, which has become a completely adequate alternative for many enterprises. In particular, many urban transport companies use Berlingo and Jumpy in the cargo version. French transport is not devoid of quality, even if its reliability is far from ideal. If the operating conditions are not violated, the potential life of the machine can be easily increased and the enjoyment of every trip can be achieved.

Future plans and real prospects of Citroen

A company with significant debts is not so attractive for investors, because the development of the Citroen model range is still rather sluggish. You may have noticed that the corporation is actively using the C4 base and is developing this area of ​​its activities in all possible directions.

Also, several models from the corporation's proposal are being built on the C5 platform. This speaks of saving money to create an individual technical look for each machine. However, in the future of the corporation, there are also positive features:

• the lineup is developing very quickly, updates are keeping pace with the times;
• the company always manages to present new products on a par with competitors, without being left behind;
• many new cooperation contracts with Italian and German corporations give a chance for cheap and high-quality developments;
• making cars in developing countries makes the company's products cheaper;
• Successful design solutions allow you to always keep the model range up to date, offering modern cars.

In plans for the future, the concern has a lot of interesting projects that can be implemented only if there is sufficient funding. The joint cooperation of two French large companies allows us to stay afloat and sell more and more cars every year after the crisis. But while there is no way out of a difficult situation, Citroen cars are not the very first choice in the wish lists of Russian motorists. We offer you to watch a test drive of one of the most technologically advanced cars Citroen - C4 Aircross:

Summing up

The French corporation Citroen has a fairly high quality of cars, despite the production of all parts in different parts of the world. The company conducts a decent quality control of every detail and assembly of its vehicles, offers quite adequate models and design solutions for its products. However, Citroen's successful solutions are based in fact on the same platform. This is the basis of all models with the C4 index in the name. The platform of the comfortable class has become the basis for the creation of many interesting cars from the manufacturer.

The development and recovery from the crisis of the Citroen corporation is hard to miss. But while investments and investments are extremely difficult to pay off. The popularity of the C-Elysee and C4 Sedan specially designed for Russia rolled back after the rise in the exchange rate, and production in our country stopped the active release of models. The same situation became the main closure of a number of factories in China. Despite all the difficulties, the company continues to work and offer its customers high-quality transport. What do you think about the proposals of the French corporation Citroen?

1919 was a historic year for automotive Europe. It was this year that the first production car, the Citroen model "A", came out of the gates of the Parisian plant on the Javel embankment. Meanwhile, industrial France, but that there is France, almost all of Europe has long known products manufactured under the trademark of two inverted V letters. Even then, few people remembered that this is exactly what helicoidal gears look like. For everyone, this logo was associated exclusively with the name of Andre Citroen.

Helical gears. Photo: Citroen

André Citroën was born in 1878 into the family of a rather successful entrepreneur. But when the future automaker was six years old, his father, a co-owner of a large gem-cutting company, committed suicide. However, the fortune left by his father allowed Citroen to graduate from the Polytechnic Institute, after which he began working at the enterprise of his friends for the production of parts for steam locomotives. In 1905, he becomes a full-fledged partner of this production. In 1990, André visits Poland. There was a small factory owned by Citroen's relatives. Among other equipment, large gears with V-shaped teeth were cast at this plant. Knowing the urgent need for such gears, Citroen decides to start producing them in its homeland. And a little later, the helicoidal gears produced at this enterprise became known practically throughout Europe. The Russian patent for the production of gears, purchased at one time, whose engagement in the form of a chevron immediately became a brand, brought Citroen not only huge profits, but also wide popularity.

Shop for the production of shells. Photo: Citroen

The name of the young entrepreneur became almost a legend, and already in 1908 Andre came to the Mors automobile plant as an anti-crisis director - the business of the enterprise immediately began to go up the hill.

The First World War was another leap in the career of a young specialist. Lieutenant of the 2nd heavy artillery regiment of the 4th French army André Citroën was in the Argonne sector of the front line. With his own eyes, he saw how, one after another, attempts to go on the offensive were choking. The reason for this was the catastrophic shortage of ammunition. In January 1915, General Louis Bacquet, chief of the artillery service at the French Ministry of Defense, received a letter signed by the artillery captain André Citroën. The general couldn't believe his eyes. André Citroën undertook to build and equip a plant for the production of 75 mm shrapnel shells within four months. These were shells of the caliber most demanded at the front.

The very first Citroen model "A" car at the factory building. Photo: Citroen

In the shortest possible time, an enterprise grows on the banks of the Seine, producing more ammunition than all other enterprises combined.

The cannonade of the First World War has not yet subsided, and Citroen is already keen on the idea of ​​creating its own car. Huge finances earned in the war make it possible to attract the most highly qualified personnel to this project. In 1912, he visits the Ford factories and gets acquainted with the assembly line organization of labor. In January 1919, advertisements appeared in all French newspapers that a completely new car would be on the market at a price of only 7,250 francs. No other manufacturer could offer such a low price then.

Andre Citroen 1918

The announcements had the effect of a bomb. In two weeks, the plant received about 16 thousand applications. And later, this stream turned into a flood altogether. The Citroen plant produced 100 cars a day. True, there was only one model - "A", but it was Citroen, unlike other European automakers, who transferred the car from the category of luxury to a means of transportation. After four years of production, the number of cars leaving the factory gates has grown to 300 per day.

Being a far-sighted man, Andre Citroen understood that to release does not mean to sell. In this connection, a rather large part of the profit went to advertising. And sometimes she worked for a very distant future. So, in particular, he established the production of toy cars under his logo. An exact replica of a real car brought future buyers into indescribable delight, and no one had any doubts about which brand the kid would choose when he grew up.

Autumn 1922. André Citroën at the Sahara rally map. Photo: Citroen

And by today's standards, André had just overwhelming advertising projects. At one time, a photograph of the Eiffel Tower with a luminous Citroen inscription went around almost the whole world. Many of what Citroen came up with to promote its goods, we use to this day. For example, to ensure that the brand name of the Citroen factories was constantly in front of the eyes of drivers, signs and road signs crowned with a "double chevron" were installed throughout France. Today you will not surprise anyone with advertising on road signs. Advertising car races, mailing of gramophone records with advertising recordings, and even inscriptions in the sky, all of this was tested by Andre Citroën long before today's creatives.

In 1933, Citroen decides to completely rebuild its factories, and five months later, an auto giant with a total area of ​​55 thousand square meters appears on the site of the former enterprise. Its production facilities allow it to fully meet the needs of France for cars. The capacity of the enterprise at that time was simply phenomenal.

October 1931. Andre Citroen and Henry Ford

However, often the financial capabilities of Citroen did not keep up with his ideas, and therefore almost all projects were made by him with the money of investors. The financial crisis of the thirties ultimately hit car sales hard, and new investors refused to invest in Citroen's promising projects. After many unsuccessful attempts to find sources of funding, Citroen declared itself bankrupt. He died in March 1935 from stomach cancer.

“If the design is good, the price doesn't matter,” said André Citroën. This phrase became the meaning of his whole life and it is thanks to this talented engineer and organizer that we still have the opportunity to contemplate on our streets some of the most advanced cars, both in terms of design and technology.

Citroen plant 1935 Photo: Citroen

Citroen after Citroen
Shortly before the death of Andre Citroen, the company mastered the production of a truly revolutionary car in those days. Monocoque body, independent torsion bar suspension and perhaps the most revolutionary innovation - front-wheel drive. This is how the 7CV Traction Avant was born in 1934.

Thanks to its innovative design, the machine has been at the forefront of technical progress for a long time, which allowed it to hold out on the conveyor right up to 1956. By the way, it was thanks to her that the company subsequently managed to recover relatively quickly after the crisis. But that was later. And in 1935, the country's government forces Andre Citroen to transfer a controlling stake to Michelin. Thus, the government of the country is trying to save the "Joint-stock company cars of Andre Citroen" from bankruptcy.

However, it was not possible to avoid losses. So, as a result of the crisis, about 8,000 workers were laid off from Citroen's enterprises, and an assembly plant in Italy was also closed. However, the company remained afloat and continued to produce cars.

The first half of the fateful forties was occupied by the war. Naturally, there could be no question of any development of production here. The maximum that the company was capable of was the release of the 7CV Traction Avant already delivered to the conveyor. However, if by the end of 1945, 9324 cars were produced, then already in 1946 they rolled off the assembly line 24443 - the company was revived. Maintaining tradition, the company's management never stops experimenting. The result of one of these experiments is the reconstruction of the Levallois plant. There, separate work areas are organized for the assembly of engines. Later, at the same plant, the production of another legendary long-liver car - Traction Avant - 2 CV, popularly nicknamed "Duck's Tail", was launched.

This little car was not beautiful, it did not have a powerful engine, but being cheap even at that time, it gained popularity for many years not only in France and around the world. The car was produced until 1990, i.e. actually 42 years and during this time has not undergone significant structural changes.

Mid-fifties and again the company brings out something unseen before. The factory in Asnier, which has just begun, is specialized exclusively in the manufacture of hydraulics. Such a narrow specialization of the plant was not chosen by chance. Even before the start of its construction, it was known that the parts that will be produced at this enterprise will primarily be installed on the new Citroen model, namely the DS-19 - a car with an extraordinary appearance and a creeping fit.

In addition to the futuristic appearance, the DS-19 had a number of technological innovations, such as the use of aluminum and plastic alloys in the production of parts, disc brakes, power steering and brakes. However, the main highlight of the car was the hydraulic system, which controls the operation of the adaptive hydropneumatic suspension. It provided not only a smooth ride, but also made it possible to raise or lower the car body.

The sixties are becoming years of active growth for the company. An agreement is concluded with the Yugoslav company Tomos, an agreement on the production of the famous 2CV at its facilities. In Brittany. The release of the Ami6 model has been launched.

By the way, this plant was the first at which not only assembly but also stamping of body parts was established.

In addition to Europe, the company opens production facilities in Canada, Chile, Africa. At the same time, Citroen acquires a controlling stake in Maserati. An agreement is concluded with the German company NSU-Motorenwerke for the development of a new engine, the production of which should be established at the Comobil joint production facility in Geneva.

The seventies, after a triumphant march around the world, again became difficult for Citroen. The outbreak of the oil crisis led to the fact that the technically innovative, extravagant Citroen again began to be poorly traded. The reason is simple - the cars consumed a lot of fuel. As a result, the company again started talking about bankruptcy. Only the alliance could save the company. As a result, it was decided to merge the companies "Automobiles Citroen" and "Automobiles Peugeot". The goal of this decision was to create a large industrial group capable of becoming as competitive as possible on the international market. A little later, the holding company PSA Peugeot-Citroen Alliance was created, which included Citroen SA and Peugeot SA. And although Citroen entered the holding on an independent basis, it was not possible to preserve its exceptional individuality. The first fruit of this alliance's collaboration is the Visa model.

Taking the 104 model as a basis, Citroen has equipped it with a 652 cc two-cylinder engine, complemented by an air-cooled system. Reverance in the direction of the companion was the modification of this car, the main difference of which was the more powerful four-cylinder 1.1-liter engine produced by Peugeot.

And a little earlier in 1975, with the end of production of the DS model, the factory on the Javel embankment was closed by the presidential car, as it was then called. Over the entire period of operation of this enterprise, more than three million cars have come out of its gates.

The eighties become for the company not only the years of production improvement. In addition, a rebranding is taking place. Now Citroen uses white and red instead of blue and yellow colors in the logo. In addition, the head office moves to the outskirts of Paris, namely to Neuilly-sur-Seine. Increasingly, the company began to resort to computer modeling and eventually acquired the most powerful supercomputer at that time, the Cray XMP / 14. Total investments in the development of the concern over the years amounted to 7.5 billion francs, including 1.2 billion for development and research. Investments were not long in coming and the consumer received a model like the XM.

At the end of 1984, the assignment for the development of the Y30 project was approved - a car that was supposed to replace the Citroen CX. Three different studios took part in the design project competition: two of PSA's own bureaus and Bertone. The Bertone variant was accepted for production. And five years later, Citroen XM made it to the assembly line: sales began in May 1989.

In the early nineties, Citroen presented its next new product, namely the ZX model. By the way, it was with this model that Citroen officially returned to motorsport by creating the ZX Rally Raid rally team. Taking care of quality improvement, the company pays a lot of attention to employee training. As a result, in 1992 the Citroen Institute opens its doors, the main task of which is to improve the qualifications of the company's employees. Consumers are not deprived of attention during this period. Such models as Citroen Xantia, Saxo, Xsara, Evasion enter the market.

At the Geneva Motor Show, the Citroen C6 Lignage is presented, which is a prototype of the future flagship.

The Pluriel concept debuts in Frankfurt. In December 1999, the Xsara Picasso is launched on the market.

Zero starts for Citroen with triumph - Citroen C5 is presented at the Paris Motor Show.

The Citroen C5 was available as a hatchback and station wagon. In addition, it was equipped with the latest Hydractive III hydraulic suspension with Sport and Comfort modes and quite powerful engines, then as a V-shaped "six" with a volume of 3.0 liters and a capacity of 210 hp. and a 2.2 liter diesel engine with 136 hp. It is with this new model that the concern returns to its usual designation of models, namely alphanumeric.

A little later, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Citroen C3 and the C-Crosser concept are presented - a new word in the creation of cars.

At the same time, the digging does not forget about consumers. So the warranty period for all Citroen cars is now 24 months. For the first time, a new robotic gearbox appears within the PSA concern - SensoDrive. Combining the advantages of mechanics and automatic, it first found its place under the hood of the C3 with a 1.6 16V engine.

2006 marked the start of production of the C4 Picasso line. The seven-seater C4 Picasso was first presented at the Paris Motor Show.

Built on the basis of Citroen C4 and Peugeot 307. A little later, the manufacturer releases a five-seater modification of the model.

In addition to the capacious trunk, the car is distinguished by a rather original exterior, created by rounded lines.

In 2007, the company's production program also includes the first crossover - Citroen C-Crosser.

The seven-seater C-Crosser was aggregated with a base turbocharged diesel engine of 2.2 liters with a capacity of 156 hp. However, the crossover is equipped with a gasoline engine with a capacity of 170 hp. (2, 4 l).

Citroën's journey has been full of bright ups and painful falls. However, this once did not prevent the company from remaining distinctive. And the new models are a clear confirmation of this. Take the new line of DS models, whose success in the sixties was overwhelming.