Citroen is a French automobile manufacturer, founded in 1919 by André
Citroen. It is today part of PSA Peugeot Citroen, and its headquarters is on
rue Fructidor, Paris.
Originally a mass-market car maker with relatively straightforward
designs, Citroen shocked the world in 1934 with the innovative Traction
Avant, the world's first mass-production front wheel drive car (1934-56).
Until the late 1980s, the company had a reputation for approaching
automobile design in a unique and innovative way. Significant models include
the H Van (1947-81, "HY"), the 2CV (1948-90, "The Duck"), the DS (1955-1975,
"Goddess") and the CX (1974-91). In latter years, the company has been
working hard to recover its prestige while keeping attached to the
mainstream market, and the endeavour has met with success.
Citroen have put notions of large panel vans being dull firmly to bed
with the adventurously-styled
Relay
The panel van market has traditionally been a tough place to operate and
that's certainly the case at present. The smallest difference in cost,
capacity or specification can be enough to swing that big order or have
buyers walking away in their droves and the fierce competition isnt eased by
the top manufacturers joining forces to sell alternatively-badged versions
of the same van. Despite these difficulties, Citroen have managed to keep
their Relay up amongst the frontrunners and the current model could have the legs to
kick home down the finishing straight once the manufacturers famous special
offers materialise.
With Citroens advanced 1.6HDi engines plumbed in, the long serving Berlingo
van could receive yet another lease of life.
Defying expectations and baffling the critics,Citroen's
Berlingo has put on a sparkling performance on the light van stage.
Nothing lasts forever though and, in true showbiz style, Citroen put their
faith in an extensive facelift to prolong its popularity. Sporting a neater
nose, wide staring eyes and inflated bumpers - in a look that would stand
comparison with many an aging Hollywood actress todays Berlingo
is continuing to audition powerfully for weighty roles with UK operators,
especially since the addition of the latest Euro IV compliant engines.
Even the most cantankerous and mean-spirited of commercial vehicle buyers
would have to concede that the Berlingohas been a massive success for Citroen. Since the covers first slid from the vans glistening bodywork at its late 1996 launch, nearly a million models
have found happy homes with European businesses. Things have moved forward
somewhat since then, of course, the latest addition being that of the
advanced 1.6-litre HDi diesel engines.