1919 - 1929

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The Company in 1922

Citroën leases a factory from Clément Bayard in the Paris suburb of Levallois at the end of 1921. In 1922, Citroën begins to produce the famous Trèfle, a 5 bhp open tourer, as well as the half-tracks for the Croisière Noire and Croisière Jaune. The Levallois plant also produces spare parts, body accessories and ball-bearings.
The marque develops credit sales, offering easy payment terms over 12 or 18 months. The new system appeals to consumers and helps to popularize the motor car in France.
Citroën gives the French authorities a stock of 150,000 panels bearing the company name, for use in overhauling and improving signposting throughout the country.
On the opening day of the 7th Paris Motor Show, an aircraft flies over Paris, writing Citroën's name in letters 5 km long.
Annual production : 21 025 vehicles.

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B2 Caddy : 1922-1927
production : 226

October sees the arrival of the Caddy: the first sports car developed from a standard production model. A lighter, more powerful version of the B2, the Caddy is powered by a 1,452 cm³ engine with light alloy pistons, developing 22 bhp at 2,100 rpm. Rated 9 bhp, it achieves a speed of 90 km/h thanks to its increased power and redesigned bodywork. Some 226 Caddies are built between July 1922 and October 1925.

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5 CV : 1922-1926
production : 80.759
Citroën also builds two light utility vehicles based on the chassis and mechanical components of the B2: the Boulangère (fixed top) and the Normande (open top). Both are equipped with a rear compartment 1.40 m long and 1.20 m high, as well as a rear door running the width of the compartment. A total 10,856 examples are built between November 1922 and December 1925.
The 5CV Type C is presented at the Paris Motor Show. The model is painted yellow, hence its nickname of "petite citron". Its 856 cm³ engine develops 11 bhp at 2,100 rpm. The 5CV has a fiscal rating of 5 bhp and a 3-speed gearbox. It travels at 60 km/h and consumes 5 litres/100 km. This highly economical vehicle marks the beginning of the "democratization" of the motor car. It is so easy to drive and look after that it becomes the first "ladies' car". No fewer than 80,759 examples are built between March 1922 and December 1926.

In the news in 1922

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is established. Stalin becomes Secretary General of the Communist party.
Following the march on Rome, Mussolini takes power in Italy.
The Irish Free State is founded.
Britain grants independence to the Kingdom of Egypt. Tutankhamen's tomb is discovered in Egypt.