Citroen: Country of manufacturer and model range of brand. Where are Citroen cars? History brand Citroen Citroen Who manufacturer

In 1919, Citroen was founded, one of the largest automotive companies in Europe. The first model of the brand has become one of the most popular cars of the 20th century. Compact Citroen A equipped with a 1,3-liter power unit, the power of which was 18 horsepower. The combination of light body, a powerful and reliable motor, as well as a low model price, provided a great popularity of Citroen cars.

After the first success, the brand began to create several cars at once, the founder of the company Andre Citroen was passionate about the thought, create a car that could be a platform for creating several models. At the same time, the production of the model A exceeded one hundred copies per day. Nevertheless, in 1921, 5 CV Trefle was presented, which timely came to the change of model A, since its pace of sales gradually fell.

In parallel with this, it was Andre Citroen who became the first in the world to apply PR solutions in the automotive sphere, which led to the conquest of the popularity of the brand far beyond France. By the end of the 20s, Citroen had offices in all major European countries.

In 1929, two models were represented at once - B12 and B14, which won the title of the most comfortable cars of their time. This was also confirmed by the sales of car station, which were separated by a circulation of 135 thousand in just two years of production. And in 1931 was presented next model Citroen Grand Suite, which became the first premium car company. The car was completed with a revolutionary 2.7 liter power unit for the European market, 53 horsepower. By 1933, Citroen under the leadership of Andre became the largest car manufacturer on the continent, ahead of the Italian Fiat and bringing the production of cars to 1.1 thousand copies per day.

However, in 1934, the demand for Citroen cars unexpectedly fell, which invested all its assets in the creation of new factories and technological centers, thus, the company was on the verge of bankruptcy. One of the reasons for such a rapid collapse was the world economic crisis. 2 months after the start of the bankruptcy procedure, 60% of the shares were redeemed by the manufacturer of the Michelin car rubber.

After a few months, the founder of the company Andre Citroen is coming from life. Nevertheless, the heirs of the legend of the automotive industry, tried to straighten the situation to which they needed two decades. In 1955, the Citroen DS model was presented, which became very popular in the automotive market of France and Italy. The company was first able to make a profit, which was not more than twenty years. However, the period from 1955 to 1969 did not become successful for the company Citroen. In 1976, the Citroen brand became part of the largest automaker France - "Peugeot" at that time.

In the first half of the 90s of the twentieth century, the Citroen brand produces such models, asantia, Saxo and Burlingo, gradually returning their former greatness. In addition, active preparation for participation in several racing series has begun. At the same time, several models of different class appear on the light. The first of them was the Citroen C4 model, related to the compact class C according to the European classification, followed by C3 - B of the class, and C5 - D class.

In 2004, only two years after the start of participation in the World Rally Championship, the French driver Sebastian Loeb, driving Citroen Casara, becomes the winner of the general classification. It was then followed by his victory on C4, C3 and DS3 cars, bringing the total bill of victories to 9. Thus, by taking part in the 12th seasons of the championship, a record was established on the number of victories in the entire history of the WRC existence.

The company's model range, against the background of success in automotive competitions, was replenished with sports versions of well-known models, and in 2007, the first crossover of Citroen, built on the Mitsubishi Outlander platform, was introduced. In 2011, another model was presented compact crossoverwhich became one of the most popular cars in the France market for 2012.

The new direction of the company was the creation of a unique design. Due to the fact that all technological developments were conducted together with Peugeot, they did not require enormous investment.

In 2013, the CitroOn C4 Picasso (five-seater version) was released, which soon, already in 2014, found the "older brother" CitroNean Grand C4 Picasso with an increased capacity (for seven places). The upgraded version has become a real jerk forward and presented with all the subsequent models a completely new refined design. The machine is designed to the EMP2 platform, thanks to which the drivers of new items reduced the number harmful emissions in atmosphere. This model was not only perfect external species, but also by the introduction of a huge amount modern technologies. For example, a convenient touchscreen display that allows you to control all the onboard systems.

It is worth noting that the 2013 and 2014 versions were able to collect more than 65 thousand orders. Cars began to enjoy wide demand in large families.

1919 became historical for automotive Europe. It was this year that from the gate of the Paris plant that the first serial car was released on the embankment, the first serial car was released - Citroen model "A". Meanwhile, industrial France, what is there in France, almost all of Europe has long known the products produced under the trademark of two inverted letters V. Already, few people remembered that the helicoid gears look like. For all, this logo was associated exclusively with the name Andre Citroen.

Helicoid gears. Photo: Citroen.

Andre Citroen was born in 1878 in the family of a rather lucky businessman. But when the future automaker turned six years old, his father, co-owner of a large processing of precious stones, committed suicide. However, the state left by his father allowed Citroen to finish the Polytechnic Institute, after which he began working at the enterprise of his friends for the production of parts for locomotives. In 1905, he becomes a full companion of this production. In 1990, Andre visits Poland. There was a small border, which were owned by Citroen's relatives. Among other equipment, there were large gears with teeth in the form of V. Knowing the sharp need for such gears, Citroen makes a decision to make their production at home. And a little later, the helicoidal gears produced at this enterprise became known almost throughout Europe. Bought at one time Russian patent for the production of six, whose gearing in the form of Chevron immediately became a brand, brought Citroen not only a huge profit, but also widely known.

Workshop for the production of shells. Photo: Citroen.

The name of the young entrepreneur was almost a legend, and in 1908, Andre comes to automotive factory Mors Anti-crisis director - the business of the enterprise immediately begin to go uphill.

World War I was another jump in the career of a young specialist. Lieutenant of the 2nd Shelf of Heavy Artillery IV French Army Andre Citroen was located on the Argonne section of the front line. With his own eyes, he saw, as one after another, attempts were chosen to go to the offensive. The reason for this was in the catastrophic lack of ammunition. In January 1915, General Louis Baka, Head of Artillery Service at the French Ministry of Defense, received a letter signed by the captain of artillery Andre Citroen. The general did not believe his eyes. Andre Citroen was taken to build and equip a plant for the production of 75-millimeter shrapnel shells for four months. These were the shells of the most sought-after caliber.

The very first car Citroen model "A" at the factory building. Photo: Citroen.

In the shortest time on the shores of the hay, an enterprise grows, producing more ammunition than all other enterprises combined.

Not yet styled cannonade of the First World War, and Citroen is already passionate about the idea of \u200b\u200bcreating his own car. Huge finance earned in war allows you to attract the highest quality staff to this project. In 1912, he visits Ford's factories and meets the conveyor organization of labor. In January 1919, ads on all newspapers of France appeared announcements about the upcoming appearance on the market of a completely new car at a price of only 7250 francs. No manufacturer then could not offer such a low price.

Andre Citroen 1918

The announcements made the effect of a broken bomb. For two weeks, the plant received about 16 thousand applications. And later, this stream turned into a flood at all. Citroen plant released 100 cars per day. True, the model was only one - "A", however, it was Citroen, unlike other European automakers, translated a car from the discharge of luxury into a means of movement. Four years of production, the number of cars leave from the gate rose to 300 per day.

Being a far-sighted man, Andre Citroen understood that it was not yet to sell. In this connection, the considerable part of the profits went on advertising. And sometimes she worked on a very far prospect. So, in particular, he adjusted the production of toy cars under its logo. The exact copy of the present car led future buyers to indescribable delight, and no one had any doubt what brand would the baby choose when he grows.

Autumn 1922. Andre Citroen at the commercial map through the Sahara. Photo: Citroen.

Andre was and on current standards simply alloyment advertising projects. At one time, the photograph of the Eiffel Tower with a luminous inscription Citroen bypassed almost the whole world. Many of the fact that Citroen came up with the promotion of his product, we use to this day. For example, in order for the corporate sign of the Citroen plants constantly before the eyes of the drivers, pointers and road signs were installed throughout France, crowned with "double chevron". Today advertising on road signs Already no one will surprise. Advertising Optitions, mailing records with recordings of advertising, and even inscriptions in the sky, all this was tested by Andre Citroen long before today's creatives.

In 1933, Citroen decides to completely rebuild its plants and five months later there is a cargoant with a total area of \u200b\u200b55 thousand square meters in the place of the previous enterprise. Its production facilities allow you to fully meet the needs of France in cars. The power of the enterprise for those times is simply phenomenal.

October 1931. Andre Citroen and Henry Ford

However, often the financial capabilities of Citroen did not have time for his ideas, in connection with which almost all projects were made to them for investors. The financial crisis of the thirties ultimately hit the car sales strongly, and therefore new investors refused to invest in Prospective projects of Citroen. After many unsuccessful attempts to find sources of financing Citroen declared itself bankrupt. He died in March 1935 from the gastric cancer.

"If the idea is good, the price does not matter," said Andre Citroen. This phrase has become the meaning of his life and precisely thanks to this talented engineer and the organizer today we have the opportunity to see on our streets one of the most advanced, both in the sense of design and technologies, cars.

Plant Citroen 1935 Photo: Citroen

Citroen after Citroen
Shortly before the death of Andre Citroen, the company masters a release on the days indeed a revolutionary car. Bearing body, independent torsion suspension and perhaps the most revolutionary innovation - front-wheel drive. So in 1934, 7CV Traction Avant appeared on the light.

Due to its innovative design, the car has long been on the edge of technical progress, which allowed her to hold out on the conveyor as much as 1956. By the way, it was because of it later the company managed relatively quickly after the crisis. But it was later. And in 1935, the country's government forces Andre Citroen to transfer the company's controlling stake in Michelin. Thus, the government of the country is trying to save the "Joint-Stock Company Cars Andre Citroen" from bankruptcy.

However, avoiding losses still failed. So as a result of the crisis from Citroen enterprises, about 8,000 workers were fired, as well as the assembly enterprise in Italy was closed. However, the company remained afloat and continued the release of cars.

The first half of the fatal forties was busy war. Naturally, no development of production here and speeches could not be. The maximum that the company was capable of being able to release 7CV Traction Avant already put on the 7CV conveyor. However, if by the end of 1945, 9324 cars were released, then already in 1946 they came across the conveyor 24443 - the company was revived. Supporting traditions, the company's management does not cease to experiment. The result of one of such experiments becomes the reconstruction of the plant in Levalua. There for assembling engines are organized separate working sections. Later, the same plant was released by the release of another legendary long-lived car - Traction Avant - 2 CV, nicknamed "duck tail".

This car was not beautiful, he did not have a powerful engine, but being cheap even at the time he won popularity not only in France and around the world. The car was produced up to 1990, i.e. In fact, 42 years and during this time did not undergo significant constructive changes.

The middle of the fifties and again the company brings something unprecedented. The factory began a job in Asnier, specializes exclusively on the manufacture of hydraulics. Such a narrow specialization of the plant was not chosen by chance. Even before its construction, it was known that the details that will be produced at this enterprise will first of all will be established on new model Citroen Namely on the DS-19 - a car with an extraordinary appearance and raising planting.

In addition to futuristic appearance, DS-19 had a number of technological innovations, as the use of aluminum and plastic alloys in the production of parts, disc brakes, an amplifier of the steering wheel and brakes. However, the main highlight of the car was a hydraulic system controlling the operation of adaptive hydropneumatic suspension. It provided not only the smoothness of the stroke, but also allowed to raise or lower the car body.

Sixties are becoming more active for the company. A contract with the Yugoslav Company Tomos Production Treaty on its facilities of the famous 2SV is concluded. In Brittany. AMI6 models have been established.

By the way, this plant was the first on which not only the assembly was established but also stamping body parts.

In addition to Europe, the company opens production in Canada, Chile, Africa. At the same time, Citroen acquires a controlling stake in Maserati. The contract with the German company NSU-Motorenwerke on the development of a new engine whose production should be established on the joint production of "Comobil" in Geneva.

The seventies, after the triumphal procession, the world again became heavy for Citroen. The oil crisis-broken crisis led to the fact that technically innovative, extravagant Citroen again began to turn badly. Cause Banalna - Machines consumed a lot of fuel. As a result, companies have repeatedly spoke about banctival. Save the company only the Alliance. As a result, it was decided to combine the Automobiles Citroen and Automobiles Peugeot companies and "AUTOMOBILES PEUGEOT". The purpose of such a solution was to create a large industrial group capable of becoming the most competitive in the international market. A little later, PSA Peugeot-Citroen Alliance, which included Citroen SA and Peugeot SA was created. And although Citroen entered the holding on the rights of independent, however, it was not possible to preserve its exceptional individuality. The first fruit of the cooperation of this alliance becomes the Visa model.

Taking as a basis 104 model Citroen equipped it with a two-cylinder engine with a volume of 652 cm³ supplemented by the system air cooling. Revenue in the direction of the companion was the modification of this car by the main difference of which was a more powerful four-cylinder 1.1 liter motor produced by Peugeot.

And a little earlier in 1975, with the end of the DS model, the presidential machine, as it was then called, is closed by a factory on the Zhavel's embankment. For all the time of this enterprise, more than three million cars came out of his gate.

The eighties are becoming for the company not only years of improving production. In addition, rebranding occurs. Now Citroen instead of a blue-yellow colors gamut in the logo uses white-red. In addition, the head office moves in the suburb of Paris, namely in Nei-sur-Sen. Increasingly, the company begins to resort to computer modeling and eventually acquires the most powerful Cray XMP / 14 supercomputer at that time. Common investments in the development of the concern over the years amounted to 7.5 billion francs, including 1.2 billion on developing and researching. Attachments were not forced to wait long and the consumer received such a model as XM.

At the end of 1984, a task was approved for the development of the Y30-car project, which was supposed to replace Citroen CX. Three different studios took part in the design projects: two own bureaus of the PSA concern and BERTONE. The production of Bertone was accepted. In five years, Citroen XM got to the conveyor: sales began in May 1989.

At the beginning of the nineties Citroen presents the next new product, namely the ZX model. By the way, with this model, Citroen officially returned to the motor racing by creating the ZX Rally Raid rally. Taking care of improving quality. The company pays a lot of attention to training employees. As a result, in 1992, its doors opened the Citroen Institute The main task of which increase the qualifications of employees of the company. Not deprived of attention during this period and consumers. Models such as Citroen Xantia, Saxo, XSARA, Evasion are published on the market.

At the Geneva Motor Show, Citroen C6 Lignage represents the prototype of the future flagship.

In Frankfurt, the concept of Pluriel debuts. In December 1999, XSARA Picasso is displayed on the market.

Zero start for Citroen C Triumph - Citroen C5 is presented at the Paris Motor Show.

The Citroen C5 car was available in hatchback bodies and wagon. In addition, it was equipped with the latest hydraulic Hydractive III with Sport and Comfort modes and rather powerful engines, then as a V-shaped "six" with a volume of 3.0 liters and a capacity of 210 hp. and a 2.2 liter diesel engine and a capacity of 136 hp It is with this new model that the concern returns to its usual separation of models, namely alphanumeric.

A little later, Citroen C3 and the C-Crosser concept are presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show - a new word in creating cars.

At the same time, digging does not forget about consumers. So the warranty period for all Citroen cars is now 24 months. For the first time as part of the PSA concern, a new appear robotic gearbox - Sensodrive. Combining the advantages of mechanics and automaton, she first found his place under the hood C3 with an engine 1.6 16V.

2006 became the beginning of the production of the C4 Picasso lineup, the first C4 Picasso seven-party C4 Picasso was presented on at the Motor Show in Paris.

Built on the basis of Citroen C4 and PEUGEOT 307. A little later, the manufacturer releases a five-seater modification of the model.

In addition to the capacious trunk, the car features a rather original exterior created by rounded lines.

In 2007, the company's manufacturing program contains the first crossover - Citroen C-Crosser.

The seven-seater C-Crosser was aggregated by a basic turbocked diesel engine with a capacity of 1,26 liters. However, the crossover and gasoline engine with a capacity of 170 hp (2, 4 l).

The path of development of Citroën was full of both bright attacks and painful falls. However, this did not interfere with the company original. And new models are bright confirmation. Take at least a new line of models of DS whose success in the sixties was just stunning.

To implement a rational choice, it is worth familiar with the many nuances in the automotive industry, to decide on the price category of the desired means of movement, make sure that it is reliable, by studying the pedigree. In this article, we will talk about cars under the Citroen brand, as many are interested in the country of vehicle manufacturer, which, according to consumers, predetermines the qualitative indicators of the model. Many are aware that Citroen has a lot of factories from almost all over the world, including Russia. This nuance causes car owners to understand, whose country is a manufacturer and where directly, interesting to the buyer as a purchase. Let's try to answer the article on the most popular questions of potential buyers and car owners interested in this topic.

Positions in the sales market and the popularity of the Citroen brand

Citroen cars occupy in the Russian market, decent positions, although they are not sales favorites. The fact is that a company having French roots and almost a century of existence, differs from many automakers in the absence of an assemblence of a guide to obtain world recognition and leadership positions. Such tactics of the concern makes it possible to engage in more global and promising tasks aimed at expanding its activities, improvement and modernization of technologies. The manufacturer adheres to, despite the wide local layout of factories, certain principles and standards, allowing to keep their audience of buyers and admirers, gradually updating and upgrading the lineup Car, developing and releasing competitive goods to European expanses. The fundamental principles of the company, without complying with the manufacturer, could not compete in the market the whole century, are the following features:

1. Holding high-quality manufacturing and constructing technologies, regardless of the location of the plant.
2. Mandatory control of each of the cars issued under the Citroen brand, by means of an automated, established for a long period of operation, which causes high-quality features and technological guarantees for transport, regardless of the criterion where it was assembled.
3. The most important, important components of the car, the nodes and the aggregates are directly published by the French factory, which predetermines the increased control of the qualitative features of Citroen products.
4. Work on the manufacture of transportation products of highly qualified engineers, as well as their information cooperation with leading companies in the field of automotive industry guarantees the compliance of the Citroen brand products by world standards.

This information allows potential buyers to discard doubts about the possibility of acquiring poor-quality goods, as the manufacturer guarantees durability, reliability, compliance with world standards of all products with a "Citroen" brand, regardless of the criterion whose assembly of a specific instance.

Location of branches and pedigree of popular models from Citroen

The total number of factories, where the Citroen brands are currently collecting vehicles, whose production was previously established only in France, there are several dozen. The main ones are localized in African and Latin American countries, Europe, China and in the territory of the Russian Federation. As for the most popular models supplied to European automotive markets, the largest respect and recognition received the C4 Aircross model, collected exclusively in French factories. The production of this model is planned in the near future directly at the factory in Kaluga, however, this project is so far only in a promising concept. If the AirCross model is extremely clear with the territorial origin of the Aircross model, then relative to the C4 series, the answer to the question of which country is the manufacturer of a particular car, not so unequivocal.

Cars from the Citroen C4 model, released until 2012, have one hundred percent French roots, however, the latter making machines could be gathered at other concern plants. Starting with 2013, their manufacture is happening at the Kaluga factory: there are still disputes on the quality of the assembly of these cars, however, experts claim that the Citroen plant in Kaluga is equipped with a modified, modern technological basis, because vehicles that have come off the conveyor in Russia The quality is absolutely not inferior to French instances. In 2018, since the beginning of the year in Russia, at the Citroen plant, the Jumpy Multispace minibus assembly was launched, with an increased internal space, which predetermines him a great future. This model will be collected exclusively in Russia. Citroen Berling - Another model from the manufacturer who enjoys the worst popularity of consumers. The car is assembled at the plants of Spain, Turkey and Belarus, and its working potential and promising opportunities allow you to compete in the market with the transport of this category from the leading automakers.

The Citroen C-ELYSSE sedan is actively offered at the automotive markets of the Russian Federation, it is characterized by excellent assembly quality, excellent design and simple modification engines. The model has proven perfectly from the position of adaptability to Russian climatic and operational features, which provokes the car popularity and demand among domestic consumers. The predominant quality of this model is its price that does not exceed five hundred thousand rubles in the basic execution, which positions C-ELYSSE as an affordable vehicle for consumers of the budget category. In Spain, in the enterprise in Vigo.

Perspective view of the company and objective forecasts of experts

Citroen Concern is currently far from prosperity, the financial problems of the automaker put it on the position of unsequent objects for investment. This fact causes the leaders of the concern to look for ways to solve financial problems based on personal capabilities. To increase the ability to stay in the trend, the Corporation actively promotes its models based on C4, it works in the direction of expanding the sales market for its automotive products. In parallel, the company actively promotes models based on C5, which allows you to save financial expenses, with a parallel opportunity to expand the model range. Despite the so-shaky financial position of the corporation, certain positive moments are visible in its current functionality:

1. The company promptly develops and launches new, improved budget class cars, with the priority opportunity to improve the financial condition by turnover.
2. The organization, despite certain problems, competes with leading automakers at a variety of exhibitions and presentations, which positions it with positive, increases consumer confidence.
3. Active cooperation with leading manufacturers, the conclusion of advantageous contracts allows Citroen to provide inexpensive and high-quality development in the markets that are in demand from the budget consumer.
4. A competent approach to the design of models allows Citroen vehicles to stay at height.
5. Citroen develops, trying not to lag behind innovative requirements, offering modern vehicles, which, with a successful circumstance, will help the concern to experience financial difficulties and go to higher positions.

The concern has project plans to shine a big future in the field of automotive industry, however, to realize them in reality, the Corporation needs decent financing. At the present time, the company is hard to cope with the exit from the financial crisis, although the positive trends of the automaker, the desire to evolve, against the background of the lack of savings on the quality of goods, suggest that the company can cope with problems and take a promising position in the automotive market.

Let's summarize

Citroen, despite the difficulties of the financial category, has prospects for development, thanks to the coordinated work of leading engineers, branches, the production of exclusively competitive products. The manufacturer claims that, regardless of the criteria, whose car is presented in the market, which branches were engaged in its assembly, high-quality parameters and technological attributes of vehicles are 100%. Each car produced under the Citroen brand meets world quality standards, which causes its long period of operation when complying with the owner of the main requirements of the manufacturer.

The pride of the French - "Nonceed over" brand Citroën

Car brands are cult and historical, but it is not about the Citroën brand, which combines both. All this is because the company has always been faithful to its traditions and in its development ahead of time. Only cars of this brand were chosen by the head of state and fantomas and it was the Citroën car during an attempt on General de Gaulle, he saved his life. In the homeland of the company, in France, Citroën cars are called "more than over" and are rightfully proud of them.

Origins of autobrade

Andre Citroen appeared in 1878. His father Levy Citroen at that time was a lucky entrepreneur engaged in treating dragonne and their subsequent sale. But not his father was his mentor in the business world. When Andre turned under just 6 years, the head of the family imposed on his hands. After the death of Levi, his family got not only a lot of inheritance, but, more importantly, communications in Paris financial and industrial circles. In those years, the sons of tradition continued to lead a family business, but the young Citroen was far from commerce, he was more attracted by the technique. Therefore, after the end of the Polytechnic School at 23, it goes to work in the workshops of his friends of Estenov engaged in the production of parts for locomotives. Already after 4 years, Andre invests in business Estenov all its inheritance and becomes co-owner.

While in Poland, Citroen had a chance to get to a small border, where gear gears were also produced, designed by anyone not known self-taught mechanic. Citroen immediately understood the prospects for this technology and acquired a patent for its application. Becoming companion in the business of Estenov, enterprising Andre sets up the production of gear gears at the factory, which were much more perfect than those produced by competitors analogues. In a short time, this product begins to be in demand in many countries, which in turn brings its owners a huge financial profit. From that time, it takes its beginning known to almost every company emblem of the company in the form of two inverted letters "V", which are a schematic designation of the conical gear. The French themselves refer to this emblem "Double Chevron".

At the factory, Andre engaged in the fulfillment of duties not only commercial, but also the technical director. And in a short time, the young entrepreneur no longer had decent competitors. Thanks to the earned excellent reputation, Citroen is invited in 1908 to the car factory could take the position of technical director, after which the enterprise has sharply to go to the mountain.

The First World War did not prevent Andre to show their entrepreneurial abilities. Understanding how disastrically things are the French army with ammunition, Citroen offers the military ministry to conclude a contract for the construction of the plant for the large-scale issue of shells. After long negotiations, the state still agrees to the sentence of Citroen and allocates 20% of the amount required. Andre's remaining money takes the financiers and industrialists. For the specified three-month period, a plant that produces more ammunition has appeared on the empty shores of the hay, than all other enterprises combined. Andre himself explained his successes "excellent organization."

First steps Andre Citroen in the automotive industry

Another war was in full swing, the entrepreneur became interested in the idea of \u200b\u200bcreating his own car and ordered the drawings of the car drawings, which in the future received his name. And when the war ended, Citroen had everything for the organization of its own car production enterprise: experience, highly qualified specialists, production facilities, where ammunition were previously created, and enormous money issues earned. In 1912, Andre visited Ford's factories and found out the details about the American conveyor release of cars. After 7 years, Citroen paired with an engineer Jules Salomon began to create cars.

In 1919, all French newspapers were sent by the announcements about the soon yield of a new car, the cost of which will be only 7.25 thousand francs. At that time, no automaker could offer a similar low cost. This news has simply made a stunning effect. In just a couple of weeks, about 16 thousand applications for acquiring a novelty called Citroën "A", which saw the light in the late spring of 1919. The model was equipped with a 1.3-liter engine, developing power in 10 "horses", as well as, for the first time among European cars, an electric starter. Citroën "A" could make the speed of 60 km per hour and had a fairly spacious salon. At the same time, in the "base", the car was equipped with headlights, claxsons and a spare wheel. These same elements in cars of other brands were only available optionally. The plant Andre produced 100 copies of the model daily. Citroen managed to begin massively produce cars among European manufacturers and make not a means of luxury from this transport. In parallel with this, the businessman secretly examines the device of such famous American cars as Studebaker, Buick and Nash in its factory, as well as various options Serial release of cars. In just 4 years, the number of the model "A" has increased to 300 units daily. At the same time, the company represents a fairly simple four-cylinder small-caltry 5cv. This reliable "popular" car adapted to rural roads was absent, there were no front brakes, but there were elliptical springs in front and rear. A few years later, more advanced models appear, such as B12 and B14.

Ingenious advertising moves Citroen

After learn about some English pilot of the aircraft, which could with the help of the white trail of aging, writing various words in the sky, andre immediately born a brilliant idea. And once on a heavenly background, letters appeared in four hundred meters forming five-kilometer inscription "Citroën". At least five minutes from the inscription on which an incredible amount was spent, there was no trace, but she did his task, he did not speak about the Citroën brand only lazy.

Andre's creative idea can be called the idea of \u200b\u200b"Eiffel Tower" on fire ". Thanks to the 125 thousand light bulbs installed on the tower, all Parisians and guests of the city could enjoy an incredible spectacle when the lights appealed to appear alternately ten images, including, of course, the name "Citroën".

Difficult period in the history of the brand

The financial crisis broke out at the beginning of the 1930s did not bypassed the party and the "brainchild" Andre. Nevertheless, not looking at difficulty, the company manage to release such well-known cars during this period as CITROëN C4 and C6. The C6 model was equipped with a 6-cylinder engine and could accelerate almost up to 100 km / h. In 1933, an entrepreneur for less than six months rebuilds its plants located on the embankment and as a result, a car giant is 55 thousand m² with a continuous flow line producing a thousand copies of the brand in this place.

The weak point in the activities of Citroen was that his ideas were always ahead of his financial opportunities, and therefore he was always in big debts. This turned against him in 1934, when lenders ceased to give him new loans, and the declined demand for cars did not allow him to come out of the current situation with his own funds. After a number of unsuccessful attempts to find other investors, the entrepreneur had to declare himself with bankrupt. Most of the company's shares in the amount of 60 percent departed the Michelin concern. Shortly thereafter, the company begins to produce a truly revolutionary car called 7CV Traction Avant, which has a bearing body, system front drive and independent torsion suspension.

But Andre was not destined to see the success of this car, in the early spring of 1935 Citroen did not. The official reason for his care was the cancer of the stomach, but an important role in his emergence was played and the financial difficulties who had fallen on it, as well as the death of his daughter.

Company after the death of its founder

Gone in 1934 with an innovative design for a long time was on top of technical progress, due to which its release lasted for another 12 years. It is thanks to 7CV Traction Avant Mark managed to recover relatively quickly after the end of the crisis. But before this period of lifting, the company experienced a lot of difficulties: the dismissal of 8 thousand workers, the closure of the Italian assembly enterprise, etc.

During the war, the company worked mainly for the needs of the army, but also released in small quantities the 7CV Traction Avant model already put on the conveyor. By the beginning of 1946, the automaker released 9.32 thousand copies of the model, and after a year this number increased to 24.44 thousand units. Citroën gradually revived. The management still continues to maintain the experimentation tradition. The result of this desire was rebuilt in Levalua. A little later, at the same enterprise, it is started to release another legendary model Traction Avant 2CV. This long-liver people nicknamed "duck tail." Although the appearance of the model and was not particularly attractive, and the engine was not particularly powerful, but the car had a different very important advantage - low cost. The model without any significant changes in the design went from the conveyor of 42 years.

In 1955, Citroën again surprises the automotive world of the DS19 model presented at the Paris autovent. Nicknamed "goddess" The novelty with perfect aerodynamics was produced by a real exterior not only with its futuristic appearance, but also a number of technological innovations applied to its creation. Auto stand out gradually descending to front bumper Long flat hood and streamlined rear with closed rear wheels. To create parts, developers used plastic and aluminum alloys, as well as equipped with disk brakes, steering booster and that most importantly hydropneumatic suspension, which not only allowed to increase ground clearanceBut also provided better handling and comfort. The DS19 motion brought a 4-cylinder 75-strong motor, which accelerate the model to 150 km / h.

A year later, the company produces model 1019, the cost of which was lower than that of the DS19, and in 1958 it is released on the basis of the chassis from the DS19 Universal ID19, equipped with air conditioning and a cordless telephone.

During the sixties, the company continues to actively develop, concludes contracts, opens up production in other countries and establishes the release of new models. So, for example, during this period the AMI6 model is manufactured.

In the seventies, the company again turned out to be in a difficult situation. Extravagance, which brand was so famous, ceased to bring big income. And by the middle of the decade, due to the used oil crisis, the original, but distinguished by a large fuel consumption, Citroën ceased to be sold. To prevent bankruptcy, the company in 1974 decided on the Alliance with Peugeot. Although it is association and helped Citroën to escape, but at the same time the company completely lost its individuality. The first "brainchild" of the Union of two companies was the VISA model, which was based on the CITROëN 104 model. Under the hood of the novelty, a 2-cylinder engine of 0.65 liter was supplemented with an air cooling system. To take into account the interests of your companion, Citroën also released Visa variation equipped with a more powerful 4-cylinder unit with a more powerful 4-cylinder unit with a volume of 1.1 liters.

In the 80s, the famous company logo is changing - white-red shifts come to replace blue-yellow colors. During this period, Citroën is actively engaged in improving production, investing huge finance in the development of the concern. Attachments justify themselves. In 1982, a new mid-size model BX is published, on which a diesel engine of XUD was installed for the first time. In 1983, all the management at the company's factories was computerized. Three years later, the concern begins to produce a car small class AX. And in 1989, the automotive world gladly meets the XM model, which is characterized by an elegant exterior and excellent running quality.

To the beginning of the nineties, fashion appears on the original cars and Citroën, as one of the founders of extravagant and original design, did not miss the opportunity to express themselves. So the ZX model appeared, with which the company officially returned to the motor racing. In this decade, Citroën produces models such as Xantia, Saxo, XSARA, Evasion, as well as Xsara Picasso.

In 1997, the position of CEO of the Concern begins to occupy Jean-Martin Folz, who decides to make the two represented by the concern of the brand as different from each other. This solution for Citroën has become decisive, and served as the beginning of the revival of the legendary brand.

Citroën in the new century

The new millennium begins for Citroën from Triumph - the model C5 debuts in Paris with success. The novelty was offered in the "Universal" and "hatchback" body, and also equipped with innovative hydraulic Hydractive III, capable of working in two modes (Sport and Comfort). IN motor gamma Models entered 210-strong petrol aggregate V6 volume of 3 l and 2.2-liter diesel engine, developing power in 136 "horses". It is with the release of this car that the concern returned to the alphanumeric designation of models.

The warranty period increases to 2 years. In addition, for the first time within the framework of the PSA concern, a new Robotic transmission Sensodrive comes out. The innovation was applied to the model C3 equipped with a 1.6-liter 16V engine.

In 2006, the C4 Picasso line appears, the firstborn of which, the seven-table model C4 Picasso, which is characterized by original appearance and spacious trunkDebuts on the Paris auto car. Later, on the basis of this model, Peugeot 307 is created, as well as the five-seater variation of C4 Picasso. In 2007, the crossover appears for the first time in the Citroën model range. The novelty, called C-Crosser, is equipped with a 2.2-liter turbodiesel motor, outstanding power in 156 "horses". The crossover is also offered with a 170-strong 2.4-liter gasoline engine. The company also began to actively form a DS line, which includes premium cars.

About a month ago, the production of passenger vans of the K0 project, which already includes two passenger versions of Citroen Spaceter / Peugeot Traveler and two commercial - Citroen Jumpy / Peugeot Expert, started at the PSMA Rus in Kaluga.

As well as commercial vans, passenger collected in Kaluga by CKD-2: from the French plant "Sevel Nord", located near Valencienna, which is near the Belgian border, there are already welded body sidewalls and the bottom in Kaluga, and all the rest welding is made on PSMA . Now the shift is boiled and coloring up to 12 bodies of models K0 - there are almost no differences between commercial and passenger versions at this stage, but on the assembly line, when the interior is completed, it is installed force aggregate And chassis elements - there.

The fact is that Citroen Jumpy / Peugeot Expert, produced in Russia, is not equipped with urea injection system in the intake manifold, that is, the SCR-neutralizer, but it is just necessary for passenger cars, despite the fact that there is no need to certify them under Euro-6.

The CEO of PSMA, Rus Nicolas Rebva confirmed that if not to put urea injection on passenger versions of K0 vans, then they will not be able to meet even the norms of Euro-5, which requires Russian legislation. The mass of Citroen Spaceter / Peugeot Traveler is significantly higher than that of commercial "relatives" - mainly due to the sewing of the cabin and, in particular, the seats, so without adblue just can not do.

Henri Langovist, technical manager of the project K0, said that if they set the SCR-neutralizer and on commercial versions, it would greatly facilitate logistics and assembly, however, the plant went to the "inconvenience", which made it possible to make the price of commercial Citroen Jumpy / Peugeot Expert more Attractive.

As for the type of assembly - CKD-2, it allowed to benefit at once in several directions. On the one hand, it was the task as quickly as possible to build an assembly in Kaluga, and here this method is suitable as it is impossible. On the other hand, it allows not to invest in expensive robots - all welding workers are carried out by manual ticks, and special devices for automatic positioning parts allow you to exclude the error and do not connect the details of the enclosure and so.

In addition, although the powers of the Kaluga Welding line K0 are limited - they are 10 times less than that of the bridge welding line citroen sedans C4 / PEUGEOT 408, which most The year is idle, though working in three shifts, about 9 thousand bodies can be made per year. Obviously, while it is significantly more than the Russian market can eat. At least, planned in 2019 to sell about 6 thousand models K0.

Meanwhile, the method of CKD-2 has disadvantages: it makes a strong dissonance to the work of the Welding line on Sevel Nord, from where the needs of Kaluga constantly remove assembly units. According to Nicolas, Festa, the robots in Sevel Norda are entering already in four (!) Shift and still do not cope - so high demand for vans in Europe, and here there are still "holes" because of the Russian factory.

Another lack of CKD-2 method is a relatively low share of value added. And this is a problem that in the light of the upcoming sense of special confacts (they must be decorated by all automakers until the end of the year), it will have to solve the French management.

The fact is that the contract at the PSMA plant will be one, and not divided into "French" and "Japanese" parts. At the same time, 70% of the enterprise belongs to the PSA group. That is why the Director-General is appointed by the French side, and his deputy - Isao Taguchi was delivered to Mitsubishi.

Nicolas Rebeve ironically notices: "I, of course, can give the task to my deputy Taguchi-San to increase the degree of localization, however, is not sure that he listens me. The localization of the Japanese part of production depends solely on solutions accepted in Mitsubishi. "

Interestingly, with the added value of production at Mitsubishi, things are going much better than the French: and Outlander, and the framework Pajero Sport produce in Kaluga by the CKD-3 method, which gives greater added value, and about the "Japanese" volumes of release by the French yet dream.

What to do in such a situation when on the nose is a special kontraktract? Obviously, you need to think about the release of a new model or a large aggregate. Recall that at the beginning of March, at the launch of the assembly of commercial vans, Nicolas Febva was mentioned about the possible localization of the engine. Today, Festa does not say anything more definite, except that this project is currently under active development.

According to its own site, the site, the future Kaluga engine will be localized not only on the assembly, but also for spare parts. Obviously, at first PSMA managers will try to pull the producers of small things and hinged equipment And take the drive belts, generators, elements of the power system, wiring, etc., while the engine block itself will be coming. At the second stage, it is quite possible, in Kaluga, a mechanical processing of the block will be put on or even put an order for the manufacture of crankshafts from a third-party supplier - such firms in Russia are. According to our data, we are talking about the engine for passenger models. Moreover, a certain third-party Russian automaker is already considering the installation on its engines from PSMA Rus.

And what about new models? And here we have about what to tell. The PSMA is a hidden from third-party eye ATP (Atelier Technique Prototype) with a so-called free layout - there are mobile screens that can be combined with space. In the APR, they examine the car for adaptation to its production capabilities at the Kaluga conveyor.

According to its own data of the site, the site is now actively working with one of the Peugeot-Citroen models. What will it be for the car, and in which method at the factory it will be released, until it is clear - Nicolas Festa does not give any explanations on this score and asks to gain patience until autumn. However, the Director General of PSMA Rus does not exclude that the question of launching in Kaluga the All-wheel drive version of the SpaceToURer can be considered soon.

Recall that Citroen has long been established with Dangel's company, which has been completing the company's basic models, including the release of all-wheel drive versions. By the way, now in Europe, both passenger and commercial vans are enjoyed by both passenger and commercial vans 4x4, in particular, Citroen Spaceter / Jumpy 4x4. Moreover, Henri Langovistanov, the project K0 - the first in the history of the PSA model, in the development of which Dankel engineers took direct participation - precisely in order to install elements full drive to regular places, and not to repel half the body.

Meanwhile, the mysterious (at first glance) the PSA model, which is now cool-thrust in ATP, will not exactly in the near future will not be put to the Kaluga conveyor - this is the case of next year. The fact is that along the way we talked with the Deputy Nicolas by Japanese Taguchi-San. There will be a separate material about that, however, we will give part of the conversation content. Taguchi-san painted the duration of all the cycles of car productions on the PSMA conveyor. The whole process can take up to 18 months, and the ATP stage from the launch separates about 12-15 months. What does it mean? This means that a new model will be put on the Kaluga conveyor approximately at the end of the third quarter of 2019.

Let's think about it, and is it now at PSA in the European market of any new model, the prospects for which in the sense of a set of popularity in the Russian market would not cause the slightest doubts? Yes, there is such a model - this is peugeot rifter. He is the future Citroen Berlingo., He (drum fraction!) - Opel Combo. And what motor do you put on them? Including 1.2 puretech. And from where it is brought to Europe? That's right, from China. Well, the fact that Kaluga is just between China and France - this is any schoolboy to confirm ...