André Citroën

Image page annexe

Picto bas de page

ID sort annexe

Paragraphes édito

Title

1878THE EARLY YEARSAndré was born on 5 February 1878, at 44 Rue Lafitte, Paris .Accepted into the Ecole Polytechnique at the age of 20, he then started his military service in 1900 as artillery sub-lieutenant in Le Mans.« During a trip to Poland, he bou

Texte paragraphe

1878

The early years

André was born on 5 February 1878, at 44 Rue Laffitte, Paris .

Accepted into the Ecole Polytechnique at the age of 20, he then started his military service in 1900 as artillery sub-lieutenant in Le Mans.

« During a trip to Poland, he bought a patent on herringbone gears. »

This was the first step towards the gear factory that he founded a few years later in Paris, and a precursor to the historic logo. In 1908, Automobiles Mors called upon him to reorganise their manufacturing process. André increased their production from 125 to 1,200 cars a year and was already studying American mass production methods.

Image paragraphe

Title

1914THE WAR1914. Drafted as artillery lieutenant, he noticed the lack of ammunition. His idea?« A factory that would produce 20,000 shells a day. The project was accepted. In six weeks, the buildings were constructed on the Quai de Javel, Paris. Within a

Texte paragraphe

1914

The war

1914. Drafted as artillery lieutenant, he noticed the lack of ammunition. His idea?

« A factory that would produce 20,000 shells a day. The project was accepted. In six weeks, the buildings were constructed on the Quai de Javel, Paris. Within a few months, up to 55,000 shells were being produced every day. »

The State requested his skills in many areas...

Image paragraphe

Title

1919The automobile adventureThe armistice was signed.Forced to convert his factory, he decided to launch his great project of producing a popular, mass-produced car.The 10 hp Type A came out in 1919! As a result of this success, André worked on even more

Texte paragraphe

1919

The automobile adventure

The armistice was signed.

Forced to convert his factory, he decided to launch his great project of producing a popular, mass-produced car.

The 10 hp Type A came out in 1919! As a result of this success, André worked on even more innovative ideas. History remembers the all-steel body, the floating engine, the unibody chassis and Traction Avant (front-wheel drive).

Image paragraphe

Title

1921Discovering the World and its people« For André, the automobile represented a privileged communication method between people and civilisations. »In 1921, he designed track models able to cope with all types of terrain. To demonstrate this, five car

Texte paragraphe

1921

Discovering the World
and its people

« For André, the automobile represented a privileged communication method between people and civilisations. »

In 1921, he designed track models able to cope with all types of terrain. To demonstrate this, five cars were sent to cross the Sahara Desert, a world first, achieved in just 20 days (the end of 1922). The story continued with the Croisière Noire (1924), the Croisière Jaune (1931) and the Croisière Blanche (1934).

Image paragraphe

Title

1925A pioneerof communicationMany achievements and innovative marketing ideas were accompanied by some great ideas in sales and communication techniques.In Europe, Mr Citroën created commercial methods, car credit and spectacular, visual tests. He invent

Texte paragraphe

1925

A pioneer
of communication

Many achievements and innovative marketing ideas were accompanied by some great ideas in sales and communication techniques.

In Europe, Mr Citroën created commercial methods, car credit and spectacular, visual tests. He invented Citroën toys, including the Citroënette (a children's car). He even had the Citroën brand name embellished in lights across the Eiffel Tower (starting in 1925)!

Image paragraphe

Title

1935Legacy« Continuously striving towards the future. Projects following one after the other. Strong sense of energy and grandeur. »With his exceptional creative calling, André Citroën knew that the automobile would one day become a work tool and make

Texte paragraphe

1935

Legacy

« Continuously striving towards the future. Projects following one after the other. Strong sense of energy and grandeur. »

With his exceptional creative calling, André Citroën knew that the automobile would one day become a work tool and make independence accessible to all.

His audacity sometimes caused a few disagreements, but by his death on 3 July 1935, he had won a place in the memory of the people.

Traditions rooted in research and progress continue to inspire the brand that still bears his name. In January 1931, the French government awarded him with the Legion of Honor's Grand Officer star, not only because of his distinguished services to the country, but also to civilisation and world progress.

Image paragraphe

Please rotate your phone