History of Citroën

History of Citroën

Citroën is a French automobile manufacturer known for its bold innovation, avant-garde design, and revolutionary technology. Founded in 1919, Citroën has shaped the automotive industry with hydropneumatic suspension, front-wheel drive, and futuristic aesthetics.

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1. Founding and Early Innovations (1919–1930s)

André Citroën’s Vision

• 1919: André Citroën, an industrialist and engineer, founded Citroën and launched the Citroën Type A, France’s first mass-produced car.
• 1924: Introduced the Citroën B10, the world’s first all-steel-bodied car.

Revolutionizing Automobiles

• 1934: Launched the Citroën Traction Avant, the world’s first mass-produced front-wheel-drive car, with monocoque construction.
• 1935: Citroën faced financial troubles and was taken over by Michelin, the famous tire company.

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2. Post-War Recovery and Design Revolution (1940s–1970s)

Iconic Cars and Engineering Innovations

• 1948: Introduced the Citroën 2CV, a simple, affordable car designed for the masses, with over 5 million units sold.
• 1955: Launched the legendary Citroën DS, featuring hydropneumatic suspension, power steering, and aerodynamics ahead of its time.

Expanding Influence

• 1968: Citroën acquired Maserati, leading to the creation of the high-performance Citroën SM.

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3. Financial Challenges and PSA Merger (1970s–1990s)

Struggles and Ownership Changes

• 1974: Citroën suffered financial difficulties and was acquired by Peugeot, forming the PSA Group.
• 1980s–1990s: Citroën focused on quirky yet practical models like the Citroën BX, XM, and Xantia, maintaining its reputation for comfort and design.

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4. Modernization and Global Expansion (2000s–2010s)

Reinventing the Brand

• 2009: Citroën launched the DS line, bringing back its premium heritage with DS3, DS4, and DS5.
• 2014: The DS brand was separated into an independent luxury division.

Electric and Hybrid Innovations

• 2016: Introduced the Citroën C3 Aircross, an innovative compact SUV.
• 2019: Launched the Citroën Ami, an ultra-compact electric city car.

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5. Electrification and the Future (2020s–Present)

Stellantis Era and EV Expansion

• 2021: Citroën became part of Stellantis, following the merger of PSA and Fiat Chrysler.
• 2023: Released the ë-C4 X, an all-electric crossover.
• 2030 Goal: Plans to be fully electric in Europe, focusing on sustainable urban mobility.

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6. Present and Future

• Expanding its EV lineup with models like the ë-Berlingo and ë-C5 Aircross.
• Pioneering futuristic mobility with concepts like the Citroën Oli (electric concept car).
• Blending comfort, affordability, and advanced technology for modern consumers.

Citroën remains a pioneer of automotive innovation, combining French creativity with next-generation mobility solutions.