André Citroën graduated from the École Polytechnique in 1900 and, after a visit to Poland following his mother’s death, purchased a patent for V-shaped helical gears, leading to the founding of “Citroën, Hinstin et Cie” in 1901. He worked with Mors between 1908 and the outbreak of World War I, building armaments for France during the war, including munitions.
In 1916, Citroën commissioned Louis Dufresne to design an 18-horsepower automobile for production after the war, but later decided to focus on a lighter, more affordable car. In February 1917, he contracted Jules Salomon to design a 10-horsepower car that would be better equipped, more robust, and less costly to produce than its rivals. The result was the Citroën Type A, announced in March 1919, with the first production model emerging in May of the same year. By July 1919, the first customer had taken delivery of a Type A, and the company produced 2,810 vehicles that year, increasing to 12,244 in 1920. Other early models included the Type B and Type C.
In 1924, Citroën began a business relationship with American engineer Edward G. Budd, introducing the Citroën B10, the first all-steel body in Europe, at the Paris Motor Show. Citroën also used the Eiffel Tower as an advertising sign, a feat recorded in Guinness World Records, and sponsored expeditions across Asia, North America, and Africa, demonstrating the capabilities of vehicles equipped with the Kégresse track system. A 1923 Citroën 5CV Type C Torpedo was the first car to be driven around Australia, completed by Neville Westwood between August and December 1925.
Citroën established its reputation for innovative technology with the Traction Avant in 1934. This was the world’s first car to be mass-produced with front-wheel drive and four-wheel independent suspension, as well as unibody construction, omitting a separate chassis. The Traction Avant pioneered a unitary body with no separate frame, four wheel independent suspension and front-wheel drive. The development and rapid implementation of the Traction Avant, however, led to financial difficulties, and Citroën filed for bankruptcy in December 1934. Michelin became its principal shareholder within the month, and Pierre Michelin became chairman in 1935, with Pierre-Jules Boulanger as vice-president and head of engineering and design. André Citroën died from stomach cancer in 1935.
In 1954, Citroën produced the world’s first hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension system, followed by the DS in 1955, the first mass-produced car with modern disc brakes. In 1967, swiveling headlights were introduced in several models. Citroën also produced half-track vehicles for off-road and military uses from 1921 to 1937, using the Kégresse track system, and these were purchased by the U.S. Army, leading to the production of over 41,000 vehicles between 1940 and 1944.
The DS, introduced in 1955, featured a single high-pressure hydraulic system for power steering, suspension, and brakes. The gearshift was also hydraulically powered, and the car’s ride height was adjustable. The DS was remarkable for its era, and its name – DS – is a homophone for déesse, the French word for “Goddess.” It placed third in the 1999 Car of the Century competition.
In the 1960s, Citroën undertook a series of financial and development decisions, but faced further difficulties and went bankrupt again in 1974. This led to a partnership with Peugeot in 1974, and the creation of the PSA Group in 1976, with Peugeot acquiring 89.95% of Citroën. Citroën continued to produce innovative vehicles, including the 2CV, which was produced from 1948 to 1990, with a total of 9 million units.
Citroën’s motorsport division, Citroën Racing, has been successful in the World Rally Championship and the World Touring Car Championship. The team won eight World Rally Championship Manufacturer's Titles, and Sébastien Loeb won nine Drivers' Championships driving Citroën vehicles. In 2019, Citroën announced its withdrawal from the World Rally Championship.
In early 2009, Citroën announced the development of the premium brand DS, for “Different Spirit” or “Distinctive Series”. In January 2020, Vincent Cobée succeeded Linda Jackson as CEO of Citroën.
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