Citroen

Although the 2 CV is probably the best-known Citroën product world-wide, it surely is not a typical Citroën. The name André Citroën is associated with technical innovations that cannot be found inside the world-famous 'duck '. On the other hand, the 2CV was a pioneer of inexpensive cars with a large driving comfort.
The company Citroën was founded in 1914 by (the just graduated) engineer André Citroën. The double V-letter - still used - refers to the first innovation, an improved transmission synchronisation. The year 1919 brought the model A. Comparable to Henry Ford, André Citroën wanted the vehicle to be manufactured in a very rational fashion at a price beyond any competition. Although he did not manage to produce at the intended price, his product became a success and he the first European mass manufacturer. The difference in sales volume as compared to America was still enormous, though.
Unlike Ford, Citroën kept coming up with innovations continuously, nearly without a break.Still famous is the hydro pneumatic. In 1922 he presented his model C, which had two front seats and only one rear seat, besides its yellow color. The model was driven by a small 8 KW (11 HP) engine and emerged as the first woman car. 1924 appear vehicles with four-wheel brake and steel body. The factory advertises through long-distance trips with the reliability of its vehicles. When André Citroën died in 1935, the work is just in a crisis. The Traction Avant is rescuer and crisis amplifier in one. The work is taken over by Michelin. After a turbulent history is the company today with Peugeot part of the HPA-group.