Citroën is a French automobile manufacturer, founded in 1919 by André Citroën. It is today part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, and its headquarters is on rue Fructidor, Paris. Originally a mass-market car maker with relatively straightforward designs, Citroën shocked the world in 1934 with the innovative Traction Avant, the world's first mass-production front wheel drive car (1934-56). Significant models include the H Van (1947-81, "HY"), the 2CV (1948-90, "The Duck"), the DS (1955-1975, "Goddess") and the CX (1974-91).
Citroën has expanded into many new geographic markets. In the late 1970s, the firm developed a small car for production in Romania known as the Oltcit, which it sold in Western Europe as the Citroën Axel. That joint venture has ended, but a new one between PSA and Toyota is now producing cars like the Citroën C1 in the Czech Republic. In China, the C3 and Xsara are sold alongside the Fukang and Elysée local models. Citroën is still a global brand except in North America, where the company has not returned since the SM was effectively banned in 1974 for not meeting NHTSA bumper regulations.
The ubiquitous and versatile 2CV workhorse was finally killed off in 1990, without replacement. Companies like Chrysler with the CCV concept car, Toyota with the Scion xB and Honda with the Element have recognized the 2CV concept and translated it to the modern era. More recently, Citroën has introduced the C3 Pluriel, an unusual convertible with strong allusions to the 2CV, both in body style (such as the bonnet) and in its all-round practicality. A "retro style" C3-based, post-modern 2cv like the new VW Beetle and BMW MINI is under active consideration by Citroën.
The Pluriel is but one example of Citroën's return to innovation, after launching somewhat dull (although efficient) models throughout the 1990s. Other examples are the C2, C4, and C6. The introduction of newer models, such as the long-awaited CX replacement, the C6, indicates Citroën's continued commitment to innovation in the 21st century. But the days of clean-sheet thinking and truly radical innovation are long gone. Being too avant-garde and too far ahead of public taste is too risky. In 2003, Citroën sold 1,372,500 cars, according to the PSA Peugeot Citroën group's 2003 annual report.
Alternative propulsion Citröen vehicles includes Citröen C-Cactus diesel-electric hybrid vehicle and Citroën C4 BioFlex (bioethanol flexible fuel vehicle). Concept cars: Citroën Traction Avant 22CV, G Van, Prototype C or Coccinelle, C-60, Project F, Mini-Zup (1972), GS Camargue (1972), 2CV Pop (1973), Prototype Y, C44 (1980), Karin (1980), Xenia (1981), Eco 2000 (1984), Eole (1986), Zabrus Bertone Concept car (1986), Activa (1988), Activa II (1990), Citella (1992), Xanae (1994), Osmose, Tulip (1995), C3 Lumière (1998), C6 Lignage (1999), Osée Pininfarina, Pluriel (1999), C-Crosser (2001), C-Airdream (2002), C-Airlounge (2003), C-SportLounge (2005), C-Airplay (2005), C-Buggy (2006), C-Métisse (2006), C-Cactus (2007). Passenger cars and vans: AX (1986-1998), BX (1982-1994), C15 (1984-2005), Evasion (1994-2002), Citroën Fukang 988 (1998-2003), derivative for the Chinese market, Saxo (1995-2003), XM (1989-2000), Xantia (1993-2001), ZX (1991-1997), Nemo (2008-present), Berlingo (1996-present), C1 (2005-present), C2 (2004-present), C3 (2003-present), C4 (2004-present), Xsara Picasso (1999-present), C4 Picasso (2007-present), C5 (2001-present), C6 (2005-present), C-Crosser (2007-present), C8 (2002-present), C-Triomphe (2006-present) derivative for the Chinese market, Elysée - derivative for the Chinese market, C-Triomphe (1997-present) - derivative for the Chinese market, Jumpy (1995-present), Jumper (1994-present), Xsara (1997-present).
