The Citroen Story Begins
Few car brands embody creativity, boldness, and forward-thinking like Citroen. For over a century, Citroen has challenged convention and rewritten the rules of automotive design.
From pioneering front-wheel drive and aerodynamic design to crafting some of the most recognisable silhouettes on the road, Citroen’s history has been nothing short of extraordinary.
This is more than just a story of cars. It’s about innovation, resilience, and making great design accessible to everyone. Whether it’s the revolutionary DS, the beloved 2CV, or today’s comfort-focused C3 and C5 Aircross, Citroen has always moved with purpose and personality.
Read our blog or scroll through our Citroen history timeline to explore the brand’s most iconic moments, pioneering models, and proudest achievements.
Founding of a French Icon
André Citroen founded Citroen in 1919. He was a visionary who believed cars should be modern, affordable, and built for the masses. In the same year, the company launched its first model, the Type A, Europe’s first mass-produced car. Citroen combined practicality with ingenuity and set the tone for a brand that would always aim higher.
Ambition and Innovation
During the interwar years, Citroen stood as a symbol of progress. In 1925, the Eiffel Tower lit up with the world’s largest advertisement sign. It spelled out “CITROEN” in glowing lights visible across Paris. This bold move showed Citroen’s confidence and creativity.
However, it was 1934’s Traction Avant that changed the game. As the world’s first mass-produced front-wheel-drive car with a unibody chassis, it offered improved safety, stability, and style. This was decades ahead of its time. Although the project strained the company’s finances, it solidified Citroen’s place as a leader in automotive innovation.
Wartime Disruption and Post-War Renewal
The Second World War challenged the entire motor industry. Citroen didn’t escape the impact. However, the brand emerged from the conflict with a renewed mission: to build light, durable, affordable vehicles for everyone.
This vision came to life with the 2CV. Launched in 1948, Citroen designed it to carry farmers, families, and everything in between. It could travel across fields, cities, and dirt tracks. Its minimalist design and clever engineering made it a global icon, loved for its charm and practicality.
Golden Years of Innovation
Citroen’s post-war creativity continued with the launch of the DS. The DS stunned the world with its futuristic lines and hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension, offering unrivalled ride comfort. Citroen also became the first carmaker to mass-produce a car with disc brakes, making the DS a triumph of both form and function.
In the decades that followed, Citroen introduced more breakthroughs. The Citroen CX stood out for its sleek profile and advanced dashboard layout. Meanwhile, models like the SM combined French design flair with high-performance engineering.
Citroen Rally History
Citroen’s history isn’t just about design. It’s also about performance. In motorsport, the brand made its mark with a long and successful run in the World Rally Championship, particularly through the 2000s. With legendary driver Sébastien Loeb behind the wheel, Citroen claimed multiple world titles, proving the brand’s speed and capability.
A Modern Evolution
Citroen entered a new era with the creation of the DS brand. The DS brand was a modern take on the innovation and elegance of the original DS. Aimed at the premium market, DS has become a space for cutting-edge design and technology.
In 2019, Citroen celebrated its 100-year anniversary, reflecting on a century of invention and individuality. Just two years later, Citroen joined the Stellantis group, gaining access to new technologies, platforms, and global opportunities.
Looking to the Future
Today, Citroen continues to focus on what drivers truly need: comfort, practicality, and clever design at an accessible price. Models like the C3, C5 Aircross, and Berlingo lead the way. They combine everyday usability with the brand’s unmistakable personality.
As the automotive world evolves, Citroen embraces smart technology and a renewed commitment to simplicity and comfort. Whatever the future holds, Citroen will be right there — daring to be different, just as it always has.