Citroën
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{{Infobox_Company|
| company_name = Automobiles CITROËN
| company_logo = [[Image:Citroen logo.svg|Citroën logo]]
| company_type = Subsidiary of PSA Peugeot Citroën
| company_slogan =
| location = {{flagicon|France}} [[Paris]], [[France]]
| foundation = 1919
| key_people =
| num_employees = 13,900<ref name="citroen.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.citroen.com/CWW/en-US/ABOUTCITROEN/IDENTITYCARD/THECOMPANY/|title=The Company|accessdate=2007-09-19|work=citroen.com}}</ref>
| industry = [[Automotive]]
| products = [[Automobile]]
| homepage = [http://www.citroen.com/ Citroën.com]
| parent = [[PSA Peugeot Citroën]]
| subsid =
| foot_notes =
}}
[[Image:C6 la meilleure routiere.jpg|thumb|right|210px|The current top of range [[Citroën C6]]]]
'''Citroën''' (pronounced See-Troh-Enn) is a [[France|French]] [[automobile manufacturer]], founded in 1919 by [[André Citroën]]. Since 1976 it has been 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 [[Citroën Traction Avant|Traction Avant]], the world's first mass-production [[front wheel drive]] car (1934-56). Significant models include the [[Citroën H Van|H Van]] (1947-81, "HY"), the [[Citroën 2CV|2CV]] (1948-90, "The Duck"), the [[Citroën DS|DS]] (1955-1975, "Goddess") and the [[Citroën CX|CX]] (1974-91).
The Citroën logo is the 'double chevron', referencing Citroën's early work on the 'herringbone' or double helical gear, but there are other theories about this. Citroën, was Jewish and also an internationally well-known Freemason, attached to the Lodge of "La Philosophie Positive" in Paris. The logo may be interpreted as a masonic symbol - a double masonic square or a double masonic compass, associating the masonic ideology of Citroën with his invention of the double helical gear. In masonry, the compass is associated with the symbolism of the 'architect's tools', so it is possible that Citroën used a double compass to represent his invention, in a masonic way.
==History==
[[Image:Tour Eiffel Citroen.jpg|left|100px|thumb|The [[Eiffel Tower]] served as a billboard for Citroën from 1925 to 1934.]]
[[Image:Citroen 5 CV Typ C2 Torpedo 1923.jpg|thumb|right|200px| 1923 "Type C" 5CV]]
[[Image:Citroen B11 Sport 4-Door Berline 1951.jpg|thumb|right|200px|1934 [[Citroën Traction Avant|Traction Avant]] 11CV]]
[[Image:1955 Citroen 2CV.jpg|thumb|right|200px|1957 [[Citroën 2CV|2CV]]]]
[[Image:Acadiane blue.jpg|thumb|200px|Citroën Acadiane]]
[[Image:Citroen hy sst.jpg|right|200px|thumb|[[Citroën HY|HY]]]]
[[Image:Citroen Ds100.jpg|thumb|right|200px|1967 [[Citroën DS|DS Pallas]]]]
[[Image:ModelMehari.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Citroën Méhari]]]]
[[Image:Citroen SM Mulhouse FRA 001.JPG|thumb|right|200px|1972 [[Citroën SM|SM]]]]
[[Image:1982 Citroen CX Prestige.jpg|thumb|right|200px|1982 [[Citroën CX|CX]]]]
[[Image:ModelBX.jpg|thumb|right|200px|1991 [[Citroën BX]]]]
[[Image:Xantia4.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Citroën Xantia]]]]
[[Image:citroen.xsara.bristol.750pix.jpg|thumb|200px|2002 [[Citroën Picasso]].]]
[[Image:CitroenC5SX2003.JPG|thumb|200px|[[Citroën C5]] SX, 2003]]
[[Image:Citroen c4.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Citroën C4]]]]
[[Image:C3 01.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Citroën C3]]]]
[[Image:Citroen Model C6.jpg|thumb|right|200px|2006 [[Citroën C6]]]]
===Early years===
[[André Citroën]] built armaments for France during [[World War I]] and after the war he had a factory and no product. In 1919, the business started to produce [[automobiles]], beginning with the conventional [[Citroën Type A|type A]]. The Type A was designed by Jules Salomon, Chief Design Officer from [[Le Zèbre]].
Citroën was a keen marketer - he used the [[Eiffel Tower]] as the world's largest advertising sign, as recorded in the [[Guinness World Records|Guinness Book of Records]].{{fact|date=December 2007}} He also sponsored expeditions in Asia (Croisière Jaune) and Africa (Croisière Noire), intended to demonstrate the potential for motor vehicles equipped with the [[Kégresse track]] system to cross inhospitable regions. The expeditions conveyed [[scientists]] and [[journalists]].
In 1924, Citroën began a business relationship with [[United States|American]] engineer [[Edward G. Budd]]. From 1899, Budd had worked to develop stainless steel bodies for railroad cars, for the [[Pullman Company|Pullman]] in particular. Budd went on to manufacture steel bodies for many automakers, [[Dodge]] being his first big auto client. In 1928, Citroën introduced the first all-steel body in Europe.{{Fact|date=June 2007}}
The cars were initially successful in the marketplace, but soon competitors (who were still using a [[wood]]en structure for their bodies), introduced new body designs. Citroën did not redesign the bodies of his cars. Citroëns still sold in large quantities in spite of not changing the body design, but the car's low price was the main selling point and Citroën experienced heavy losses.{{fact|date=December 2007}}
In an attempt to remedy the situation, Citroën developed the [[Citroën Traction Avant|Traction Avant]]. The Traction Avant had three revolutionary features: [[unibody|a unitary body with no separate frame]], front wheel [[independent suspension]], and [[front wheel drive]]. Citroën commissioned Budd to create a prototype, which evolved into the 7 horsepower ([[horsepower#CV and cv|CV]]), 32 HP [[Citroën Traction Avant|Traction Avant]] of 1934.
In 1933, Citroën also introduced the Rosalie, a passenger car with the world’s first commercially available [[diesel engine]] developed with [[Harry Ricardo]].
===The Michelin era===
Achieving quick development of the Traction Avant and its production facilities at the same time was too costly and overly ambitious, causing the financial ruin of the company. In 1934, debt forced the company into foreclosure and it was then taken over by its biggest creditor, the tire company [[Michelin]]. Fortunately for Michelin, the [[Citroën Traction Avant|Traction Avant]] met with market acceptance and the basic philosophy that had led to this design continued.
Citroën has always been undercapitalized, so its vehicles have a tradition of being underdeveloped at launch, with limited distribution and service networks. For both the important DS and CX models, development of the original engine around which the design was planned proved too expensive for the finances available, and the actual engine used in both cases was a modest and outdated four-cylinder design.
During the [[German occupation of France in World War II]], Citroën researchers continued their work in secret and developed the concepts that were later brought to market in the 2CV and DS. These were widely regarded by contemporary [[journalists]] as [[avant garde]], even radical, solutions to automotive design.
This began a period of unusual [[brand loyalty]], normally seen in the automobile industry only in niche brands, like [[Porsche]] and [[Ferrari]]. The [[cult]]-like appeal of the cars to ''Citroënistes'' took almost two decades to fade, from 1975 to about 1995.
Citroën unveiled the [[Citroën 2CV|2CV]] (2 fiscal horsepower, initially only 12 HP) at the [[Paris Salon]] in 1948. The car became a bestseller, achieving the designer's aim of providing rural [[French people]] with a motorized alternative to the [[horse]]. This car remained in production, with only minor changes, until 1990 and was a common sight on French roads until recently.
1955 saw the introduction of the [[Citroën DS|DS]], the first full usage of Citroën's now legendary [[hydropneumatic]] [[self-levelling suspension]] system that was tested on the rear suspension of the last of the Tractions. The DS was the first European production car with [[disc brakes]].
The [[Citroën DS|DS]] featured [[power steering]], power [[brake]]s and power [[suspension (vehicle)|suspension]], and - from 1968 - [[Headlights#Dynamic Headlight Beam Control|directional headlights]]. A single high-pressure system was used to activate pistons in the [[gearbox]] cover to shift the gears in the [[Transmission (mechanics)|transmission]] and to operate the [[clutch]] on the Citromatic, Citroën's semi-[[automatic transmission]].
This high-pressure hydraulic system would form the basis of many Citroën cars, including the [[Citroën SM|SM]], [[Citroën GS|GS]], [[Citroën CX|CX]], [[Citroën BX|BX]], [[Citroën XM|XM]], and [[Citroën Xantia|Xantia]]. These vehicles shared the distinguishing feature of rising to operating [[ride height]] when the engine was turned on, like a "mechanical camel" (per Car & Driver magazine). A lever located just ahead of the driver's door allowed the driver to adjust the height of the car. On right-hand drive models, this lever was located behind the driver's right foot. The height-adjustability of the suspension allowed for clearing obstacles, fording shallow (slow-moving) streams, and changing tires. This type of suspension was uniquely able to [[ride quality|absorb road irregularities]] without disturbing the occupants.
During Citroën's venture with [[Maserati]], the Citroën high-pressure hydraulic system was used on several Maserati models, for power clutch operation (Bora), power pedal adjustment (Bora), pop-up headlights (Bora, Merak), brakes (Bora, Merak, Khamsin), steering (Khamsin), and the entire [[Maserati Quattroporte|Quattroporte II]] prototype, which was a four-door [[Citroën SM]] under the skin.
Citroën was one of the early pioneers of the now widespread trend of [[aerodynamic]] automobile design, which helps to reduce [[fuel consumption]] and improve high-speed performance by reducing [[Drag coefficient|wind resistance]]. The firm began using a [[wind tunnel]] in the 1950s.
===Financial restructuring===
In 1963, Citroën negotiated with [[Peugeot]] to cooperate in the purchase of raw materials and equipment. Talks were broken off in 1965.
That year Citroën took over the French carmaker [[Panhard]] in the hope of using Panhard's expertise in midsize cars to complement its own range of very small, cheap cars (e.g., [[Citroën 2CV|2CV]]/[[Citroën Ami|Ami]]) and large, expensive cars (e.g., [[Citroën DS|DS]]/[[ID]]). Cooperation between both companies had begun 12 years earlier, and they had agreed to a partial merger of their sales networks in 1953. Panhard ceased making vehicles in 1967.
1968 saw a restructuring of Citroën's worldwide operations under a new holding company, Citroën SA. [[Michelin]], Citroën's long-time controlling shareholder, sold a 49% stake to [[FIAT]], in what was referred to as the PARDEVI agreement (Participation et Développement Industriels).
That year Citroën purchased the [[Italy|Italian]] [[sports car]] [[automaker|maker]] [[Maserati]] and launched the [[grand tourer]] [[Citroën SM|SM]], which featured a V6 [[Maserati]] engine and a fully powered steering system called [[DIRAVI]]. The SM was engineered as if it were replacing the [[Citroën DS|DS]], a level of investment the GT sector alone would never be able to support, even in the best of circumstances. Circumstances became more unfavorable as the 1970s progressed. Citroën suffered another financial blow in the [[1973 energy crisis]]. In 1974, the carmaker withdrew from North America, due to design regulations that outlawed core features of Citroën cars.
Huge losses at Citroën were caused by failure of the [[Comotor]] rotary engine venture, plus the [[Strategic management|strategic error]] of going the 15 years from 1955 to 1970 without a model in the profitable middle range of the European market, and the massive development costs for the [[Citroën GS|GS]], [[Citroën CX|CX]], [[Citroën SM|SM]], [[Citroën GS|Birotor]], [[Maserati Bora]], [[Maserati Merak]], and [[Maserati Khamsin]] models - each a technological marvel in its own right.
===The PSA era===
Citroën was weak and unable to withstand the softening of the automobile market that accompanied the [[1973 oil crisis]]. That year FIAT withdrew from PARDEVI and returned its 49% stake to Michelin. This was an ominous sign of things to come and, less than a year later, Citroën went bankrupt. The French government feared large job losses and arranged talks between [[Michelin]] and [[Peugeot]], in which it was decided to merge Automobiles Citroën and Automobiles Peugeot into a single company. In 1974, Peugeot purchased 38.2% of Citroën and became responsible for managing the combined activities, in particular their research, purchasing, and investments departments.
Peugeot sold off [[Maserati]] to [[DeTomaso]] in May 1975, and the Italian firm was quickly able to exploit the [[aspirational brand|aspirational]] image of the [[Maserati]] brand to sell tens of thousands of newly-designed [[Maserati Biturbo|Bi-Turbo]] models.
The takeover was completed in May 1976, as Peugeot SA purchased a 90% stake of Citroën SA and the companies were combined into a holding company, known as [[PSA Peugeot Citroën]].
The PSA venture was a financial success from 1976 to 1979. Citroën had two successful new designs in the market at this time (the [[Citroën GS|GS]] and [[Citroën CX|CX]]), a resurgent [[Citroën 2CV]], and the [[Citroën Dyane]] in the wake of the oil crisis, and [[Peugeot]] was typically prudent in its own finances, launching the [[Peugeot 104]] based [[Citroën Visa]] and [[Citroën LNA]]. PSA then purchased the aging assets of [[Chrysler Europe]], which it rebranded as [[Talbot]], leading to losses from 1980 to 1985.
PSA gradually eliminated Citroën's ambitious attitude to engineering and styling in an effort to [[rebranding|rebrand]] the marque as an [[brand management|economy brand]]. In the 1980s, Citroën models were increasingly Peugeot-based, which was part of a worldwide motor industry trend called "platform sharing." The 1982 [[Citroën BX|BX]] used the [[hydropneumatic]] suspension system and still had a ''Citroënesque'' appearance, while being powered by Peugeot-derived engines and using the floorpan later seen on the [[Peugeot 405]]. By the late 1980s, many of the distinctive features of the marque had been removed or diluted - the [[Citroën AX|AX GT]], for example was noted by contemporary journalists for its poor [[ride quality]], an unusual attribute for the brand.{{Fact|date=October 2007}}
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 [[Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën Automobile|China]], the [[Citroën C3|C3]] and [[Citroën Xsara|Xsara]] are sold alongside the [[Citroën Fukang|Fukang]] and [[Citroën Elysée|Elysée]] local models. Citroën is still a global brand except in North America, where the company has not returned since the SM [[Citroën SM#US exports|was effectively banned in 1974]] for not meeting [[NHTSA]] bumper regulations.
The ubiquitous and versatile [[Citroën 2CV|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 [[Honda Element|Element]] have recognized the 2CV concept and translated it to the modern era. More recently, Citroën has introduced the [[Citroën C3|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 [[Citroën C2|C2]], [[Citroën C4|C4]], and [[Citroën C6|C6]]. The introduction of newer models, such as the long-awaited [[Citroën CX|CX]] replacement, the [[Citroën C6|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]].
==European Car of the Year awards==
===Winners===
* 1971: [[Citroën GS]]
* 1975: [[Citroën CX]]
* 1990: [[Citroën XM]]
===Podiums===
* 1971: [[Citroën SM]]
* 1979: [[Citroën Visa]]
* 1988: [[Citroën AX]]
* 1994: [[Citroën Xantia]]
* 2003: [[Citroën C3]]
* 2005: [[Citroën C4]]
* 2007: [[Citroën Grand C4 Picasso]]
==USA Car of the Year award==
1972 Citroën SM [[Motor Trend Car of the Year]]
==Passenger cars and vans==
{|
|-
| valign="top"|
===Pre war===
* [[Kégresse track]]
* [[Citroën 7CV|7CV]] (1934–1935)
* [[Citroën 7C|7C]] (1935–1940)
* [[Citroën 7U|7U]] ''Rosalie'' (1935–1937)
* [[Citroën 8CV|8CV]] ''Rosalie'' (1932–1935)
* [[Citroën 8CV|8CV]] (1933–1934)
* [[Citroën 8NH|8NH]] (1935–1936)
* [[Citroën 10CV|10CV]] (1933–1934)
* [[Citroën 11U|11U]] ''Rosalie'' (1935–1937)
* [[Citroën 11|11]] (1935–1940)
* [[Citroën 15|15]] (1935–1936)
* [[Citroën 15/6|15/6]] (1939–1955)
* [[Citroën Type A|Type A]] (1919–1921)
* [[Citroën Type AC4|Type AC4]] (1928–1929)
* [[Citroën Type AC6|Type AC6]] (1928–1929)
* [[Citroën Type B|Type B]] (1921–1928)
* [[Citroën Type C|Type C]] ''C2-C3'' (1922–1926)
* [[Citroën C4 & C6|C4 & C6]] (1928–1934)
* [[Citroën Traction Avant|Traction Avant]] (1934–1957)
* [[Citroën TUB|TUB van]] (1939–1941)
| valign="top"|
===Post war (1945–1970)===
* [[Citroën 2CV|2CV]] (1948–1990)
* [[Citroën Ami|Ami 6]] (1961–1971)
* [[Citroën Ami|Ami 8]] (1969–1979)
* [[Citroën Bijou]] (1959–1964)
* [[Citroën DS|DS/ID]] (1955–1975)
* [[Citroën Dyane|Dyane]] (1967–1984)
* [[Citroën H Van|H Van]] (1947–1981)
| valign="top"|
===Post war (1970–1980)===
* [[Citroën Acadiane|Acadiane]] (1978–1987)
* [[Citroën Ami|Ami Super]] (1973–1976)
* [[Citroën Axel|Axel]] (1984–1988)
* [[Citroën C25|C25]] (1981–1993)
* [[Citroën C35|C35]] (1974–1992)
* [[Citroën CX|CX]] (1974–1989)
* [[Citroën FAF|FAF]]
* [[Citroën GS|GS and GSA]] (1970–1984)
* [[Citroën LN|LN]] (1976–1979)
* [[Citroën LNA|LNA]] (1978–1986)
* [[Citroën M35|M35]] (1970–1971)
* [[Citroën Méhari|Méhari]] (1968–1987)
* [[Citroën SM|SM]] (1970–1975)
* [[Citroën Visa|Visa]] (1978–1988)
| valign="top"|
===Recent===
* [[Citroën AX|AX]] (1986–1998)
* [[Citroën BX|BX]] (1982–1994)
* [[Citroën C15|C15]] (1984–2005)
* [[Citroën Evasion|Evasion]] (1994–2002)
* [[Citroën Fukang 988]] (1998–2003)<br>derivative for the Chinese market
* [[Citroën Saxo|Saxo]] (1995–2003)
* [[Citroën XM|XM]] (1989–2000)
* [[Citroën Xantia|Xantia]] (1993–2001)
* [[Citroën ZX|ZX]] (1991–1997)
* [[Citroën Synergie|Synergie]] (1995–2001)
|}
{|
|-
| valign="top"|
===Current and future===
* [[Citroën C3 Picasso]] (2009)
* [[Citroën Nemo|Nemo]] (2008-present)
* [[Citroën Berlingo|Berlingo]] (1996-present)
* [[Citroën C1|C1]] (2005-present)
* [[Citroën C2|C2]] (2004-present)
* [[Citroën C3|C3]] (2003-present)
* [[Citroën C4|C4]] (2004-present)
* [[Citroën Xsara Picasso|Xsara Picasso]] (1999-present)
* [[Citroën C4 Picasso|C4 Picasso]] (2007-present)
* [[Citroën C5|C5]] (2001-present)
* [[Citroën C6|C6]] (2005-present)
* [[Citroën C-Crosser|C-Crosser]] (2007-present)
* [[Citroën C8|C8]] (2002-present)
* [[Citroën C-Triomphe|C-Triomphe]] (2006-present) derivative for the Chinese market
* [[Citroën Elysée|Elysée]] - derivative for the Chinese market
* [[Citroën Fukang|C-Triomphe]] (1997-present) - derivative for the Chinese market
* [[Citroën Jumpy|Jumpy]] (1995-present)
* [[Citroën Jumper|Jumper]] (1994-present)
* [[Citroën Xsara|Xsara]] (1997-present)
|}
{|
|-
| valign="top"|
==Trucks==
* [[Citroën P45|P45]] (1934–1953)
* [[Citroën P46|P46]]
* [[Citroën U23|U23]]
* [[Belphegor (truck)|350]] to [[Belphegor (truck)|850]] aka ''[[Belphegor#The Truck|Belphegor]]''
| valign="top"|
==Bus==
* Citroën CH14 Currus
* 1978 Citroën Heuliez C35
* Jumper van bus
* 1931 Citroën Type C6 Long
* 1930s Type 23 bus
* Type 46 DP UADI
* 1935 Type 32B
* 1932-33 Type C6 G1
|}
== Alternative propulsion ==
[[Alternative propulsion]] Citröen vehicles includes [[Citröen C-Cactus]] [[diesel-electric]] hybrid vehicle and [[Citroën C4 BioFlex]] ([[bioethanol]] [[flexible fuel]] vehicle).<ref name="thecarconnection.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.thecarconnection.com/Car_Shows_and_Concept_Cars/Frankfurt_Auto_Show/Frankfurt_Green_Citroen_C-Cactus.S290.A13312.html?srccd=wn20070910|title=Frankfurt Green: Citroen C-Cactus|accessdate=2007-09-19|work=thecarconnection.com}}</ref>
In the earlier years, electric cars were produced, eg. the AX electrique, Saxo electrique etc. but in smaller series.
==Concept cars==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
* [[Citroën Traction Avant 22CV]]
* [[Citroën G Van|G Van]]
* [[Citroën Prototype C|Prototype C]] or [[Citroën Prototype C|Coccinelle]]
* [[Citroën C-60|C-60]]
* [[Citroën Project F|Project F]]
* [[Citroën Mini-Zup|Mini-Zup]] (1972)
* [[Citroën GS Camargue|GS Camargue]] (1972)
* [[Citroën 2CV Pop|2CV Pop]] (1973)
* [[Citroën Prototype Y|Prototype Y]]
* [[Citroën C44|C44]] (1980)
* [[Citroën Karin|Karin]] (1980)
* [[Citroën Xenia|Xenia]] (1981)
* [[Citroën Eco 2000|Eco 2000]] (1984)
* [[Citroën Eole|Eole]] (1986)
* [[Citroën Zabrus|Zabrus]] [[Bertone]] Concept car (1986)
* [[Citroën Activa|Activa]] (1988)
{{col-break}}
* [[Citroën Activa|Activa II]] (1990)
* [[Citroën Citella|Citella]] (1992)
* [[Citroën Xanae|Xanae]] (1994)
* [[Citroën Osmose|Osmose]]
* [[Citroën Tulip|Tulip]] (1995)
* [[Citroën C3 Lumière|C3 Lumière]] (1998)
* [[Citroën C6 Lignage|C6 Lignage]] (1999)
* [[Citroën Osée|Osée]] [[Pininfarina]]
* [[Citroën Démonstrateur Pluriel|Pluriel]] (1999)
* [[Citroën C-Crosser|C-Crosser]] (2001)
* [[Citroën C-Airdream|C-Airdream]] (2002)
* [[Citroën C-Airlounge|C-Airlounge]] (2003)
* [[Citroën C-SportLounge|C-SportLounge]] (2005)
* [[Citroën C-Airplay|C-Airplay]] (2005)
* [[Citroën C-Buggy|C-Buggy]] (2006)
* [[Citroën C-Métisse|C-Métisse]] (2006)
* [[Citroën c-cactus|C-Cactus]] (2007)
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{{col-end}}
== Miscellaneous ==
* Citroën's originally [[Dutch language|Dutch]] family name was Citroen, meaning "lemon," as one of his grandfathers was a [[citrus]] seller in [[Amsterdam]]'s street markets. An old-fashioned nickname for Citroën cars is "Citron" (lemon in [[French language|French]]). Oddly enough in English, "lemon" is a slang term for an unreliable or problematic car.
* Citroën is a major competitor in the [[World Rally Championship]], winning the constructor title in 2003, 2004 and 2005. In 2004, 2005, and 2006, French driver [[Sébastien Loeb]] won the Drivers' Championship driving the [[Citroën Xsara|Citroën Xsara WRC]]. In 2007, Sébastien Loeb won the Drivers Title again, but this time in a Citroën C4. Citroën narrowly missed out on the Constructors title again in 2007, like in 2006.
* In the early 1970s, Citroën investigated the possibility of producing [[helicopters]] with the [[Wankel]] engines manufactured by its subsidiary [[Comotor]]. Some models, like the [[Citroën RE2]], were flight-tested and still exist.
* Citroën vehicles are well known for their longevity - many [[Citroën CX|CX]] models have travelled over 400,000 kilometers.
* The Iconic [[Citroën DS]] celebrated its 50th birthday in 2005 with over 2000 DSs, covering every year of production from 1955 to 1975, driving in convoy through the streets of Paris. One car travelled from [[Australia]] for the event.
* [[Australia]] has been one of Citroens longest continuous sales markets in the world beginning in 1925. The DS was made in [[Australia]] in the 1960s, the only Citroën to be built there.
* One of Citroën's biggest factories is in [[Vigo]], [[Spain]].
* Beginning in 1955, Citroën began to use a steering wheel with only one spoke.
* The defunct language magazine ''[[Quinto Lingo]]'' ran an article of [[puns]], including this one in [[German (language)|German]]: ''"Kennst du das Land wo die Citroëns blūhn?"'' (Do you know the land where the Citroëns bloom?")
<!--Possible spam link: *2CV's and other A-series vehicles have a dedicated owners club in the UK called 2CVGB, see their website at http://www.2cvgb.co.uk for more details-->
== See also ==
{{commons|Citroën}}
* [[List of automobile manufacturers]]
* [[List of French companies]]
* [[Lane departure warning system]]
* [[NaviDrive]]
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
* [http://www.citroen.com/ Citroën.com] {{fr icon}} / {{en icon}}
* [http://www.citroengallery.com/ Citroën Gallery] {{fr icon}} / {{en icon}}
* [http://www.citroen.co.uk/ Citroën UK] {{en icon}}
* [http://www.citroen.com.au/ Citroën Australia] {{en icon}}
* [http://www.citroenet.org.uk/ Citroënët] {{en icon}}
{{Early Citroën vehicles}}
{{Modern Citroën vehicles}}
{{Citroën}}
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[[Category:Citroën| ]]
[[Category:Companies established in 1919]]
[[Category:Motor vehicle manufacturers of France|Citroën]]
[[Category:Companies of France|Citroën]]
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[[Category:French culture|Citroën]]
[[Category:Bus manufacturers|Citroën]]
[[Category:Car manufacturers|Citroën]]
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