1 9 1 3 - 1 9 1 6
André Citroën creates the « Société des
Engrenages Citroën » on the Quai de Grenelle in Paris.
The chevron shape of its gear teeth becomes the
marque’s symbol. In 1912, André Citroën visits
Henry Ford’s plants in the USA and discovers new
principles for organizing production. In 1916, Citroën
begins preparations to convert the Quai de Javel armament
plant for vehicle production.
1 9 1 9
Launch of the Type A, the first car produced by
Citroën and the first mass-produced automobile in
Europe. Medical departments, cooperatives, day nurseries
and dentist offices are set up in the Citroën plants.
1 9 2 1
Stocks of spare parts are created throughout France.
The B2
replaces the Type A, and close to 90,000 units are built
through 1926.Three versions of the half-track vehicles
(variations of the Type A and B2) are launched: snow,
raid and four-wheel drive.
1 9 2 2
In a road-sign upgrading operation, Citroën provides
France with 150,000 panels bearing the company’s
symbol. The Torpedo 5CV Trèfle and half-track vehicles
are built at the newly commissioned Levallois plant. The
Type C 5CV is presented at the Paris Auto Show, and
nearly 81,000 units are produced through 1926.
1 9 2 3
Miniature automobiles are produced for advertising
purposes. Over two million of these toys are sold through
1933. The Saint-Charles plant in Paris is created for
gear box machining and assembly.
1 9 2 4
“Société Anonyme André Citroën” is
created with a capital of 100 million francs. Sales
subsidiaries are opened in Brussels, Milan, Amsterdam,
Cologne and other cities. Citroën creates an intercity
bus transportation network.
1 9 2 5
The French sales network is expanded, increasing from
200 representatives in 1919 to 5,000 in 1925.
Europe’s first forges begin operating at Clichy. The
all-steel-body B12 is launched.
1 9 2 6
The B14 and B15 utility vehicles with closed cabins
are launched. Production is Taylorized. Operations begin
at the Grenelle plant, while other plants open elsewhere
in Europe (Brussels-Forest, Slough, etc.).
1 9 2 7 -
1 9 2 8
The C4 is launched. A total of 140,000 are produced
through 1930.
1 9 2 9 -
1 9 3 3
Citroën becomes synonymous with adventure and
reliability because of its “Cruises”: the
“Black Cruise,” a distance of 20,000 kilometers
between Colomb-Béchar and Tananarive, and the
“Yellow Cruise,” in which 14 half-track
vehicles make the 12,000-kilometer trip between Beirut
and Beijing.
1 9 3 4
The 7A is rolled out. This is the first in the line
of “Traction Avant” vehicles featuring an
aerodynamic body, all-steel self-supporting monocoque
construction with no running-board, independent front and
rear wheels, front-wheel drive and hydraulic brakes. This revolutionary new model did
not, however, shield the company against serious
financial problems. Michelin became its main shareholder,
wiped off the company’s debt and matched production
to orders. At total of 10,000 jobs were eliminated and
vehicle prices came down. From 1935 to 1937, production
surged from 40,000 to 61,000 vehicles.
1 9 3 5
André Citroën, the man who had revolutionized the
French automobile industry and invented modern
advertising, dies on July 3.
1 9 3
7
The TUB revolutionary van is launched with front wheel
drive, independant suspension on all 4 wheels, very low
flat loading flor and side sliding door. Made only in
1937, this van is modified during the war to become in
1948 the type H also known as CHUB.
1 9 3 9 -
1 9 4 5
The Quai de Javel plant is bombed, and production
drops to just a few thousand units.
1 9 4 8
The 2CV is launched. It remains in production until
1990, with over 30 versions and close to 3.9 million
units produced. The Type H van, often wrongly called TUB
instead of CHUB, is launched and production continues for
more than 30 years. More than 490,000 units are produced.
1 9 5 0
The SCEMM subsidiary begins operations, manufacturing
production equipment. Delivery of a 2CV can take up to
four years, and second-hand vehicles is priced higher
than new ones!
1 9 5 3
An agreement is signed with Panhard to partially
merge the two sales networks. The Rennes-la-Barre-Thomas
plant in Brittany goes into operation. It specializes in
ball bearings and thermoplastic elastomer components.
1 9 5 4
The 15-Six represents a technical revolution, with
its constant-height, hydropneumatic suspension.
Operations begin in the hydraulic shops of the Asnières
plant.
1 9 5 5
The DS19 is launched. The car, designed by Bertoni,
is revolutionary for its aerodynamic lines,
hydropneumatic suspension and power-driven systems. More
than 1.4 million units of the DS are produced in almost
20 years.
1 9 5 8
The Vigo plant in Spain goes into production, turning
out 2CV vans.
1 9 6 1
Operations begin at the Rennes-la-Janais plant. This
is the first Citroën facility to produce bodies and
assemble cars. The Ami 6 is launched. Over 1 million
units are produced through 1971.
1 9 6 3 -
1 9 6 4
Purchased from Acieries de Pompey, the Caen plant
will be manufacturing and assembling the chassis and
suspension systems. The Competitions Department is
created. The Mangualde plant in Portugal comes on stream
to manufacture the 2CV. The Ami 6 station wagon is
launched.
1 9 6 5
Citroën takes over Panhard. The DS 21 is introduced.
1 9 6 7
Citroën signs an industrial cooperation agreement
with Berliet and acquires a majority interest in the
company. The Dyane is launched; 1.4 million units are
produced through 1983.
1 9 6 8
Following a reorganization, Citroën SA becomes the
parent company of the Citroën Berliet Panhard group,
with over 20 subsidiaries. Citroën signs agreements with
Maserati and Fiat
on developing joint projects in such areas as research
and investments. The Méhari four-wheel drive vehicle is
launched; 115,000 are produced through 1987.
1 9 6 9
The Citer car-rental organization is created. The Ami
6 is replaced by the Ami 8, of which 800,000 units are
produced through 1979.
1 9 7 0
The GS is launched at the Paris Auto Show and the SM
is unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show.
1 9 7 1
Sogamm, a Citroën’s subsidiary, is set up in
Stains to produce prototypes of mechanical and body
components. Five hundred 2CVs and 1,300 young drivers
take part in the Paris-Persepolis-Paris rally. The GS is
elected “Car of the Year.”
1 9 7 2
The Grenelle plant is closed and its production is
transferred to Caen. The electronic-injection SM replaces
the carburetor version.
1 9 7 3
The Aulnay plant comes on stream to replace the Javel
plant, which is closed in 1974 after turning out 3.2
million vehicles, from the Type A to the DS. The
sophisticated equipment at Aulnay makes it one of the
most modern plants in Europe. The agreements between Fiat
and Citroën are terminated. Fiat transfers its 49%
interest to Michelin. Citroën organizes the “Africa
raid” : 100 teams cover 8,000 km between Abidjan and
Tunis.
1 9 7 4
The CX is launched to replace the DS, and the C35
utility vehicle designed with Fiat goes on the market.
Peugeot SA buys 38.2% of the shares from Citroën SA.
Each marque retains its product range and sales network.
Peugeot becomes responsible for managing the combined
activities, in particular their joint research,
purchasing and investments departments.
1 9 7 5
The CX is elected “Car of the Year.”
1 9 7 6
The LN 2-door coupe is launched. More than 127,900
units of the car, which combines Citroën mechanical
components with the body of the Peugeot 104 sedan, are
produced through 1978. These models are assembled
together with the CX on the same assembly line in Aulnay.
Citroën SA and Peugeot SA merge, and the holding company PSA
Peugeot Citroën
is created. It has two automobile manufacturing
subsidiaries: Automobiles Peugeot and Automobiles
Citroën.
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