Citroën is automobile manufacturer based in France. André-Gustave Citroën started the company in 1919 and it became the first mass-production automobile company outside the USA. Citroën was the first to create a sales and services network that goes with the automobile.
Innovations
Citroën were innovators in automobile design. Their Traction Avant (pictured) had the first mass production of three revolutionary features that are still in use today. They are: a unitary body with no separate frame, four-wheel independent suspension, and front-wheel drive.
Later on, in the 1950s, Citroën developed a remarkable type of suspension. A high-pressure hydraulic system was used in over 9 million Citroën cars. They included the DS, SM, GS, CX, BX, XM, Xantia, C5, and C6. Self-levelling is the principal benefit – the car kept a constant ride height above the road. It adjusted to the passenger and cargo load, and gave a very soft suspension. This type of suspension smooths out road irregularities without disturbing the occupants. It is often compared to riding on a 'magic carpet' for this reason.