Citroen History

André Citroën was one of the great disruptors of the automotive world. Born in 1878 in Paris to a Dutch family of diamond merchants, he grew up fascinated by the mechanics of progress and the dreams of Jules Verne. By age 20, he was studying engineering at the École Polytechnique, determined to bring his own industrial revolutions to life. After working at Mors, he founded his first company in 1905, producing precision gears that would later inspire the famous double-chevron Citroën logo.

By 1913, he had established the Citroën Cog Factory and soon turned his attention to automobiles. After World War I, he launched the Type A in 1919, France’s first mass-produced car, offering both affordability and customization. It was a commercial triumph, with 2,500 units sold in six months and nearly 25,000 the following year. Citroën’s factory soon became a symbol of innovation, applying Henry Ford’s assembly-line methods but adding a European sense of refinement and design.

In the 1920s, Citroën became not just a car manufacturer but a cultural phenomenon. His marketing campaigns were bold and extravagant — in 1925, the name “CITROËN” illuminated the Eiffel Tower with 200,000 bulbs, a glowing testament to his fearless creativity. His adventurous spirit extended beyond marketing; Citroën vehicles conquered the Sahara and crossed Africa and Asia in epic expeditions that proved their endurance to the world.

Citroën also made major engineering leaps. The brand’s early adoption of the “floating engine” system reduced vibrations and improved comfort, and later, in 1934, Citroën revolutionized the industry with the Traction Avant — the first mass-produced front-wheel-drive car with a monocoque chassis. The innovation was years ahead of its time and became one of the most influential designs in automotive history.

In the decades that followed, Citroën continued to push the boundaries of technology and style. The DS, launched in 1955, stunned the world with its hydropneumatic suspension and futuristic design, while later models like the CX and XM reinforced the brand’s reputation for bold engineering. Through financial crises, partnerships, and reinvention, Citroën never lost its identity as the rebel of French automotive design.

Today, Citroën remains a laboratory for creative mobility. The brand has embraced electrification and sustainability, focusing on human-centered design and accessible innovation. The 2024 Citroën ë-C3, for instance, introduced a new generation of affordable European electric cars, combining a 320 km range with a price below most competitors. It was conceived as an electric vehicle for everyone — simple, comfortable, and clever, perfectly aligned with Citroën’s democratic design philosophy.

At the same time, the brand reimagined its flagship models. The 2024 C5 X Plug-in Hybrid blurred the line between sedan, station wagon, and SUV, emphasizing comfort through the Advanced Comfort suspension and ultra-quiet interiors. The C5 X also introduced Citroën’s latest infotainment interface, combining minimalist aesthetics with voice control and AI-assisted driving features.

The Citroën Oli concept, revealed in 2024, became one of the brand’s most talked-about designs in years. Made with lightweight recycled materials and a modular construction philosophy, the Oli redefined how urban vehicles could balance sustainability, affordability, and design. Its flat surfaces, replaceable parts, and focus on simplicity showcased Citroën’s return to functional brilliance — a direct echo of André Citroën’s original vision of “innovation for everyone.”

Citroën also reaffirmed its motorsport heritage through the electrification of its rally-inspired lineage. The C3 Rally2 EVO program embraced hybrid powertrains and sustainable fuels while keeping the brand active in competitive racing. Meanwhile, the new C3 Aircross EV extended Citroën’s electric lineup into the compact SUV segment, offering family practicality with French flair.

In 2024, Citroën’s new design direction, known as “Humanist Modernism,” placed user experience above all else. From the reimagined logo inspired by the original 1919 chevrons to interiors designed like living spaces, every detail reflected a century-long balance between innovation, comfort, and charm. Citroën’s cars remain unmistakably French — imaginative, practical, and unafraid to challenge convention — just as André himself would have wanted.

Citroen

Current Models

Citroen C5 X

Citroen Ami

Citroen C5 Aircross

Citroen C3 Aircross

Citroen E-Mehari

Citroen C5 Crosstourer

Citroen C-Elysee

Citroen Ds5

Citroen Ds4

Citroen C4 Picasso

Citroen Grand C4 Picasso

Citroen C1 5 Doors

Citroen C1 3 Doors

Citroen C5 Estate

Citroen Berlingo

Discontinued Models

Citroen C4 Cactus

Citroen C-Zero

Citroen C3 Picasso

Citroen C4 Aircross

Citroen C5 Sedan

Citroen Nemo

Citroen C8

Citroen Ds3

Citroen C4 Hatchback

Citroen C-Crosser

Citroen C4 Sedan

Citroen C6

Citroen Xsara Picasso

Citroen C2

Citroen C3 Pluriel

Citroen C4 Coupe

Citroen C5 Liftback

Citroen Xsara Break

Citroen Xsara

Citroen Saxo 3 Doors

Citroen Xsara Coupe

Citroen Evasion

Citroen Saxo 5 Doors

Citroen Xantia

Citroen Xantia Break

Citroen Xm

Citroen Xm Break

Citroen Ax 3 Doors

Citroen Ax 5 Doors

Citroen Zx Break

Citroen Zx 3 Doors

Citroen Zx 5 Doors

Citroen Bx Break

Citroen Bx

Citroen Cx Break

Citroen 2Cv

Citroen Axel

Citroen Cx

Citroen Visa

Citroen Gsa

Citroen Visa Decouvrable

Citroen Lna

Citroen Dyane

Citroen Sm

Citroen Traction

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