History of Citroën in Timeline

Citroën, a French automobile brand established on June 4, 1919, by André Citroën, has a rich history. Part of Stellantis since 2021, Citroën previously fell under the PSA Group after Peugeot's majority acquisition in 1976. Headquartered at the Stellantis Poissy Plant in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine since 2021, the company maintains significant research and development centers in Vélizy-Villacoublay, Poissy (CEMR), Carrières-sous-Poissy, and Sochaux-Montbéliard.

1908: André Citroën's Experience in the Automotive Industry

André Citroën gained experience in the automotive business through a six-year stint working with Mors, starting in 1908.

1909: Jules Salomon Designs "Le Zèbre"

Jules Salomon, an engineer later hired by Citroën, designed a small car called "Le Zèbre" in 1909.

1916: Citroën Plans for Post-War Automobile Production

As early as 1916, André Citroën decided to switch to automobile manufacturing after World War I.

February 1917: Citroën Hires Jules Salomon to Design a 10 HP Car

In February 1917, André Citroën hired engineer Jules Salomon to design a new 10 HP car that would be well-equipped, robust, and cost-effective to produce.

1918: Boulanger Joins Michelin

Pierre-Jules Boulanger began working for Michelin in 1918 after his service in World War I.

March 1919: Citroën Announces the Type A

Citroën announced the Type A to the press in March 1919.

May 1919: First Production Type A Rolls Out

The first production Citroën Type A was completed at the Quai de Javel factory in Paris at the end of May 1919.

June 1919: Founding of Citroën

The "Automobiles Citroën" manufacturing company was founded in June 1919 by André Citroën.

July 1919: First Citroën Customer Delivery

The first customer took delivery of a new Citroën 10HP Type A on July 7, 1919.

1919: Creation of the Original Citroën Logo

The original Citroën logo, featuring an oval shape encompassing the two chevrons, was created in 1919.

1921: Citroën Starts Half-Track Vehicle Production

Citroën began producing half-track vehicles for off-road and military use in 1921, utilizing the Kégresse track system.

1922: Boulanger Joins Michelin Board

Pierre-Jules Boulanger joined the Michelin board in 1922.

1923: Citroën 5CV Type C Torpedo Released

Citroën released the 5CV Type C Torpedo in 1923.

October 1924: Citroën Debuts the Citroën B10 with All-Steel Body

Citroën introduced the Citroën B10 at the Paris Motor Show in October 1924, marking the first all-steel car body in Europe.

December 1925: Citroën Completes First Drive Around Australia

A 1923 Citroën 5CV Type C Torpedo, driven by Neville Westwood, became the first car to be driven around Australia, completing the journey in December 1925.

1927: Lazard Bank Invests in Citroën

Lazard bank provided crucial financial support to Citroën in 1927, renegotiating debts and making a significant investment in the company.

1933: Citroën Introduces the Rosalie with Diesel Engine

Citroën introduced the Rosalie in 1933, marking the first commercially available passenger car to feature a diesel engine, which was developed in collaboration with Harry Ricardo.

December 1934: Citroën Files for Bankruptcy

In December 1934, despite the assistance of the Michelin company, Citroën filed for bankruptcy due to the costly development of the Traction Avant.

1934: Citroën Commissions Prototype for the Traction Avant

Citroën commissioned the American Budd Company to create a prototype for the Traction Avant in 1934.

1934: Citroën Introduces the Traction Avant

Citroën introduced the Traction Avant in 1934, known for its innovative technology. It was the first mass-produced car with front-wheel drive, independent suspension on all four wheels, and a unibody construction.

1935: Death of André Citroën

André Citroën passed away in 1935.

1935: General Motors Declines to Purchase Citroën

General Motors considered purchasing Citroën but ultimately decided against it in 1935, allowing Citroën to remain independent.

1935: Michelin Takes Ownership and André Citroën Passes Away

Michelin became the principal shareholder of Citroën. Sadly, in 1935, founder André Citroën died from stomach cancer.

1937: Citroën Ends Half-Track Vehicle Production

Citroën ended the production of half-track vehicles in 1937.

January 1938: Pierre-Jules Boulanger Becomes President

Pierre-Jules Boulanger became the president of Citroën in January 1938 after the death of his friend Pierre Michelin.

1939: U.S. Army Develops Half-Track Prototype

The United States Army Ordnance Department built a prototype half-track vehicle based on the Citroën-Kégresse design in 1939.

1940: Nazis Capture Citroën Half-Tracks

Following their occupation of France in 1940, the Nazis seized a number of Citroën half-track vehicles and modified them for their own military use.

December 1942: U.S. Begins Mass Production of Half-Tracks

The U.S. Army commenced mass production of the M2 and M3 half-track vehicles in December 1942.

1944: Boulanger's Resistance During World War II

In 1944, Boulanger's name was found on a Nazi blacklist for his acts of resistance, including sabotaging trucks meant for the Wehrmacht.

1944: U.S. Ends Half-Track Production

The United States ceased production of half-track vehicles in 1944 after producing over 41,000 units in various configurations.

1948: Inspiration for C3 Pluriel

The 2CV, produced from 1948 to 1990, served as inspiration for the design of the C3 Pluriel.

1948: Citroën 2CV Debuted

The Citroën 2CV, a car designed to be affordable for French rural communities, was unveiled at the Paris Salon in 1948.

1949: Citroën Wins Motor Trend Car of the Year

A Citroën vehicle won the prestigious United States Motor Trend Car of the Year award when the award was established in 1949.

1950: Boulanger's Passing

Boulanger remained president of Citroën until his death in 1950.

1954: Citroën Pioneers Hydropneumatic Suspension

Citroën introduced the world's first hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension system in 1954.

1954: Hydropneumatic Suspension Tested

Citroën tested their hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension system on the rear suspension of the Traction in 1954.

1955: Citroën DS Introduced

Citroën introduced the DS, the first car to fully utilize their hydropneumatic suspension, in 1955. It was also the first production car with modern disc brakes.

1955: Citroën Launches the Revolutionary DS

Citroën launched the DS in 1955, a revolutionary car that was the first mass-produced vehicle to feature modern disc brakes.

1955: Beginning of a Challenging Period for Citroën

Citroën, in 1955, embarked on a period of significant development without a model in the profitable mid-range European market.

1956: Citroën Enters Endurance Rally Driving

Citroën began participating in endurance rally driving events in 1956, marking their entry into motorsports with the DS model.

1956: DS Production Begins

Production of the Citroën DS began in 1956.

1957: ID19 Released

The ID19, a more affordable version of the DS with a simplified hydraulic system, was released in 1957.

1963: Mercedes-Benz Attempts to Replicate Citroën's Suspension

Mercedes-Benz, in 1963, attempted to replicate the benefits of Citroën's suspension with a complex and costly air suspension system on their 600 and 300SEL 6.3 models.

1965: Rolls-Royce Licenses Citroën's Suspension Technology

In 1965, Rolls-Royce used Citroën's hydropneumatic suspension technology in their Silver Shadow model.

1967: Citroën Introduces Swiveling Headlights

In 1967, Citroën introduced swiveling headlights on several of their models, a feature designed to improve visibility on winding roads.

1968: Citroën and Fiat Partnership Formed

Citroën and Fiat joined forces in 1968, a partnership that would later dissolve in 1973.

1968: Citroën Partners with Maserati

Citroën's venture with Maserati began in 1968, with Citroën's hydraulic systems being used in several Maserati models.

1968: DS Updated

In 1968, the DS received a style update and introduced auxiliary driving lights that followed steering direction.

1970: Peak Production for the DS

1970 marked the year with the highest production numbers for the Citroën DS.

1970: End of a Challenging Period for Citroën

By 1970, Citroën had gone 15 years without a model in the profitable mid-range European market, contributing to their financial difficulties.

1970: Citroën Competitions Sponsors Paris-Kaboul-Paris

Citroën Competitions sponsored the Paris-Kaboul-Paris long-distance competition in 1970, featuring their 2CV model.

1971: GS Production Increases

Production of the GS increased to 601,918 cars in 1972, up from 526,443 in 1971.

1972: Citroën Competitions Sponsors Paris-Persepolis-Paris

Citroën Competitions sponsored the Paris-Persepolis-Paris long-distance competition in 1972, featuring their 2CV model.

1972: GS Sales Propel Citroën to Second Place

Citroën produced 601,918 GS models in 1972, enough to push the company ahead of Peugeot to become the second largest French automaker by sales volume.

1973: Citroën Competitions Sponsors Raid Afrique

Citroën Competitions sponsored the Raid Afrique long-distance competition in 1973, featuring their 2CV model.

1973: Fiat Sells Stake in Citroën

Fiat sold its 49% stake in PARDEVI, the holding company that owned Citroën, back to Michelin in 1973 after their partnership failed to yield expected results.

June 1974: Citroën Announces Partnership with Peugeot

In June 1974, fearing job losses due to financial struggles, the French government orchestrated a merger between Citroën and Peugeot, resulting in a new partnership under the control of Michelin.

December 1974: Peugeot Acquires 38.2% Share of Citroën

Further solidifying the partnership, Peugeot S.A. acquired a 38.2% share of Citroën in December 1974.

1974: Citroën Leaves North America

Citroën ceased operations in North America in 1974 due to U.S. design regulations that conflicted with Citroën's core car features.

1974: Citroën Competitions Impacted by Bankruptcy

Citroën's bankruptcy in 1974 negatively impacted the Citroën Competitions division.

1974: Citroën Files for Bankruptcy Again

Despite efforts to build on the successes of the 2CV, Type H, and DS, Citroën filed for bankruptcy once more in 1974.

1974: Peak Production for the 2CV

The Citroën 2CV saw its peak production in 1974.

May 1975: Maserati Sold to De Tomaso

In May 1975, Maserati was sold to De Tomaso, allowing the new owner to leverage Citroën's models and technology for their own benefit.

1975: Mercedes-Benz Adopts Citroën-Style Suspension

Mercedes-Benz finally produced a car, the 450SEL 6.9, with a hydropneumatic suspension system like Citroën's in 1975.

1975: DS Production Ends

Production of the DS ended in 1975, with a total of almost 1.5 million units sold.

April 1976: Peugeot Increases Stake in Citroën, Forming PSA Group

In April 1976, Peugeot increased their ownership in the then-bankrupt Citroën to 89.95%, effectively taking control and creating the PSA Group (Peugeot Société Anonyme), which became PSA Peugeot Citroën.

1976: Peugeot Acquires Citroën

Peugeot acquired an 89.95% share in Citroën in 1976, making it part of the PSA Group.

1976: PSA Venture Finds Financial Success

The newly formed PSA venture found financial success between 1976 and 1979, bolstered by Citroën's successful models like the GS and CX.

1979: PSA Venture Financial Success

The PSA Venture enjoyed financial success from 1976 to 1979.

1980: Unveiling of the Citroën Karin Concept Car

Citroën unveiled the Karin concept car in 1980, showcasing their future design vision.

1980: PSA Acquires Chrysler Europe

PSA purchased the assets and liabilities of Chrysler Europe for $1 in 1980, leading to financial losses for the company.

May 1982: Union Action and Demonstrations at Citroën

On May 25, 1982, Citroën faced union action that led to a massive demonstration in Paris, where approximately 27,000 workers showed their support for the company and their desire to work.

1982: Citroën's Design and Engineering Approach Diluted

Throughout the 1980s, PSA gradually diluted Citroën's unique approach to engineering and design, with Citroën models becoming increasingly similar to those of Peugeot.

1984: Citroën Enters Chinese Market

Citroën's joint venture in China began selling cars in 1984.

1985: Introduction of Citroën's Previous Brand Identity

Citroën introduced a new brand identity in 1985, which would later be replaced in 2009.

1985: PSA Experiences Losses After Chrysler Acquisition

PSA experienced financial losses from 1980 to 1985 following their acquisition of Chrysler Europe.

1986: Development of the Citroën BX 4TC

Citroën developed the Group B Citroën BX 4TC in 1986 as a response to the Audi Quattro's entry into rallying.

1987: PSA Discontinues Talbot Production

PSA discontinued the production of cars under the Talbot brand in 1987 due to concerns over reliability and manufacturing quality.

1987: Establishment of the Auto Europa Award

The Auto Europa award, given by the Italian Union of Automotive Journalists (UIGA), was first awarded in 1987.

1988: Unveiling of the Citroën Activa Concept Car

Citroën unveiled the Activa concept car in 1988, offering a glimpse into their future design and technological advancements.

1990: End of 2CV Production

Production of the iconic Citroën 2CV ended in 1990.

1990: End of the 2CV Era

The Citroën 2CV remained in production until 1990, with 9 million units produced.

1990: Citroën XM Wins Auto Europa

The Citroën XM was awarded the Auto Europa prize in 1990.

1991: Citroën Wins Dakar Rally

Citroën won the Dakar Rally in 1991, continuing Peugeot sport's streak of victories.

1992: Citroën ZX Wins Auto Europa

The Citroën ZX won the Auto Europa award in 1992.

1993: Citroën Wins Rally Raid Manufacturer's Championship

Citroën won the Rally Raid Manufacturer's Championship in 1993 with their ZX Rally Raid.

1994: Citroën Wins Rally Raid Manufacturer's Championship and Dakar Rally

Citroën secured victories in both the Rally Raid Manufacturer's Championship and the Dakar Rally in 1994.

1994: Citroën Begins Manufacturing in China

Citroën's China joint venture started manufacturing cars locally in 1994.

1994: Citroën Xantia Wins Auto Europa

The Citroën Xantia was awarded the Auto Europa prize in 1994.

1995: Citroën Wins Rally Raid Manufacturer's Championship and Dakar Rally

Citroën continued their winning streak by winning both the Rally Raid Manufacturer's Championship and the Dakar Rally in 1995.

1996: Citroën Wins Rally Raid Manufacturer's Championship and Dakar Rally

Citroën dominated both the Rally Raid Manufacturer's Championship and the Dakar Rally, securing victories in both in 1996.

1997: Citroën Wins Rally Raid Manufacturer's Championship

Citroën concluded their successful run by winning the Rally Raid Manufacturer's Championship for the fifth consecutive time in 1997.

1999: Citroën DS Ranked Third Most Influential Car

In 1999, the Citroën DS was recognized as the third most influential car of the 20th century in the Car of the Century competition.

1999: DS Places Third in Car of the Century

The DS came in third place in the 1999 Car of the Century competition.

2001: Citroën Opens Conservatoire Museum

Celebrating its automotive heritage, Citroën opened the Conservatoire museum in 2001, showcasing a collection of 300 significant vehicles from its history.

2001: Citroën Returns to World Rally Championship

Citroën Racing team marked their return to the World Rally Championship in 2001.

2001: Citroën Xsara Picasso Wins Auto Europa

The Citroën Xsara Picasso was awarded the Auto Europa prize in 2001.

2002: Citroën C5 Wins Auto Europa

The Citroën C5 won the Auto Europa award in 2002.

2003: Citroën Launches the C3 Pluriel

Citroën introduced the C3 Pluriel, a distinctive convertible inspired by the 2CV, in 2003.

2003: Citroën Wins World Rally Championship

Citroën won the Manufacturer's Title at the World Rally Championship in 2003, continuing Peugeot sport's winning streak.

2003: Citroën C3 Wins Auto Europa

The Citroën C3 won the Auto Europa award in 2003.

2004: Citroën and Sébastien Loeb Win World Rally Championship

Both Citroën, securing the Manufacturer's Title, and their driver, Sébastien Loeb, emerged victorious at the World Rally Championship in 2004.

2005: Citroën and Sébastien Loeb Win World Rally Championship

Both Citroën, securing the Manufacturer's Title, and their driver, Sébastien Loeb, emerged victorious at the World Rally Championship in 2005.

2005: Unveiling of the Citroën C-SportLounge Concept Car

Citroën unveiled the C-SportLounge concept car in 2005, which would later inspire the DS5.

2005: Citroën C4 Wins Auto Europa

The Citroën C4 won the Auto Europa award in 2005.

2006: Unveiling of the Citroën C-Métisse Concept Car

Citroën unveiled the C-Métisse concept car in 2006, a testament to their commitment to innovation in design and technology.

2006: Sébastien Loeb Wins World Rally Championship with Citroën Xsara WRC

Sébastien Loeb, driving the Citroën Xsara WRC, won the Driver's Championship at the World Rally Championship in 2006.

2007: Sébastien Loeb Wins World Rally Championship with Citroën C4 WRC

Sébastien Loeb, driving the Citroën C4 WRC, won the Driver's Championship at the World Rally Championship in 2007.

2008: Citroën and Sébastien Loeb Win World Rally Championship

Both Citroën, securing the Manufacturer's Title, and their driver, Sébastien Loeb, driving the Citroën C4 WRC, emerged victorious at the World Rally Championship in 2008.

2008: Unveiling of the GT by Citroën Concept Car

Citroën unveiled the GT by Citroën concept car in 2008, showcasing their vision for a high-performance grand tourer.

2008: Unveiling of the Citroën Hypnos Concept Car

Citroën unveiled the Hypnos concept car in 2008, which would later serve as the basis for the DS4.

February 2009: Citroën Unveils New Brand Identity

To commemorate its 90th anniversary, Citroën introduced a new brand identity in February 2009, featuring a 3D metallic double chevron logo, a new font, and the slogan "Créative Technologie".

2009: Citroën and Sébastien Loeb Win World Rally Championship

Both Citroën, securing the Manufacturer's Title, and their driver, Sébastien Loeb, driving the Citroën C4 WRC, emerged victorious at the World Rally Championship in 2009.

2009: Citroën Announces Development of DS Premium Brand

In early 2009, Citroën revealed its plans to establish a premium brand called DS, short for "Different Spirit" or "Distinctive Series," to operate alongside its existing mainstream vehicle lineup. The DS brand's slogan reflects its focus on innovation: "Spirit of avant-garde."

2009: Decline in European Car Sales

The European car market experienced a significant decline in sales after 2009.

2010: Citroën and Sébastien Loeb Win World Rally Championship

Both Citroën, securing the Manufacturer's Title, and their driver, Sébastien Loeb, driving the Citroën C4 WRC, emerged victorious at the World Rally Championship in 2010.

2010: Citroën Ends Production of C3 Pluriel

Citroën ceased production of the C3 Pluriel in 2010.

2010: Unveiling of the Citroën Survolt Concept Car

Citroën unveiled the Survolt concept car in 2010, pushing the boundaries of electric vehicle design and performance.

2010: Launch of the Citroën DS4

The Citroën DS4, based on the 2008 Citroën Hypnos concept car, was launched in 2010.

2010: Citroën Launches DS3

The DS brand was launched in early 2010 with the introduction of the DS3, a stylish small car based on the platform of the new C3.

2011: Citroën and Sébastien Loeb Win World Rally Championship

Both Citroën, securing the Manufacturer's Title, and their driver, Sébastien Loeb, driving the Citroën DS3 WRC, emerged victorious at the World Rally Championship in 2011.

2011: Introduction of Citroën's WRC Engine

Citroën began using their WRC engine in the World Rally Championship in 2011.

2011: Citroën's Worldwide Sales Decline

Citroën's global vehicle sales declined from 1,460,373 units in 2010 to 1,435,688 units in 2011, with the European market accounting for 961,156 of those sales.

2011: PSA Explores Partnerships for Electric and Hybrid Vehicles

In 2011, PSA Group, Citroën's parent company, explored a partnership with BMW to develop electric and hybrid vehicles, but the discussions were unsuccessful. Subsequently, PSA announced a partnership with GM, which also did not materialize.

2012: Citroën and Sébastien Loeb Win World Rally Championship

Both Citroën, securing the Manufacturer's Title, and their driver, Sébastien Loeb, driving the Citroën DS3 WRC, emerged victorious at the World Rally Championship in 2012.

2012: Citroën Announces Entry into World Touring Car Championship

Citroën declared their intention to participate in the World Touring Car Championship in 2012.

2012: Citroën DS4 Wins Auto Europa

The Citroën DS4 won the Auto Europa award in 2012.

2013: DS3 Achieves Market Success

By 2013, the DS3 had become the top-selling premium subcompact car, capturing a 40% market share in Europe and validating the brand's business model.

2014: Citroën Dominates World Touring Car Championship

Benefiting from a headstart in development due to regulation changes, Citroën emerged as the frontrunner, winning most races and the manufacturers' title in the World Touring Car Championship.

2014: Start of Production of DS 5LS and DS 6WR in China

Citroën began selling the Chinese-built DS 5LS and DS 6WR in China in 2014.

2014: Citroën Ranks High in Customer Satisfaction in China

Citroën ranked highly in the 2014 JD Power customer satisfaction survey in China, reflecting their success in the market.

2014: Citroën Excels in Customer Satisfaction and Sales Growth in China

Citroën received top marks in the 2014 JD Power customer satisfaction survey in China, outperforming both luxury and mass-market brands. During the same year, Dongfeng Citroën witnessed a 30% increase in sales in the Chinese market, which experienced an overall growth of 11%.

2014: Unveiling of the Citroën DS Divine Concept Car

Citroën unveiled the DS Divine concept car in 2014, a sports coupé furthering the design language of the Citroën Survolt prototype.

2015: Launch of the Citroën DS5

Citroën launched the DS5 in 2015. It was based on the 2005 C-SportLounge concept car.

2015: Citroën Wins World Touring Car Championship

Citroën successfully defended their title in the World Touring Car Championship in 2015.

2016: Citroën Wins World Touring Car Championship and Announces Departure

Citroën achieved a hat-trick by winning the World Touring Car Championship but also announced their withdrawal from the series at the end of 2016.

2016: Citroën Withdraws from South Africa

Peugeot-Citroën South Africa (PCSA) announced the discontinuation of Citroën imports in 2016 to prioritize Peugeot sales in the region.

2017: Citroën Cars Outpaced in World Touring Car Championship

Despite Citroën's factory team departure, other teams continued to race Citroën cars in the World Touring Car Championship, but they struggled to keep up with the Hondas and Volvos.

May 2019: Planned Re-entry into South African Market Announced

Reports emerged in May 2019 suggesting PCSA's intention to reintroduce the Citroën brand to South Africa.

August 2019: Citroën's Return to South Africa Confirmed

PCSA confirmed in August 2019 that new Citroën models would be available in South Africa starting in mid-October 2019.

October 2019: Citroën Returns to South Africa

Citroën returned to the South African market in October 2019 after a period of absence.

January 2020: Citroën Appoints New CEO

In January 2020, Vincent Cobée took over as CEO of Citroën, succeeding Linda Jackson, who transitioned to a role focused on brand differentiation within the PSA Group.

2020: Citroën and DS Aim for 15% Growth

Despite financial challenges faced by PSA Peugeot Citroën in 2014, both Citroën and DS brands set ambitious growth targets of 15% by 2020, as stated by Citroën CEO Linda Jackson and DS CEO Yves Bonnefont.

2021: Citroën Becomes Part of Stellantis

Citroën became part of Stellantis in 2021 after the merger of PSA Group and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

2021: Citroën Enters Indian Market

Citroën made its debut in the Indian market in early 2021 by introducing the C5 Aircross SUV, which is manufactured at the Hindustan Motors plant in Tamil Nadu, India.

2022: Citroën Unveils Modernized Logo

Citroën unveiled a modernized version of their logo in 2022, drawing inspiration from the original 1919 design by reintroducing the oval shape around the two chevrons.