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Paris Motor Show
The Company in 1953
- A new Citroën plant comes on line at Rennes-la Barre Thomas in Brittany. Citroën starts to decentralize production, which has hitherto been based in Paris around the Quai de Javel plant. However it is only at the end of the 1970s that a balance is finally struck between the Paris region and the provinces. The new facility in Brittany specializes in the manufacture of ball-bearings and parts made from thermoplastic elastomer (rubber or plastic).
- Citroën and Panhard reach agreement on the partial merger of their sales networks.
- Annual production : 137 459 vehicles.
The models in 1953
- The Type 55 commercial vehicle replaces the Type 45. Offering a petrol or diesel engine and with a total laden weight of 9,300 kg, the Type 55 develops 76 bhp and offers a payload of 5,000 kg.
- There is also a 55 UADI bus with a 6-cylinder diesel engine and a rounded rear design. Big enough to seat 29 people, the bus is built from 1953 to 1958.
In the news in 1953
- Dwight Eisenhower is President of the USA.
- An armistice is signed in Korea and the country is split into two.
- In Russia, Stalin dies. Khruschev becomes First Secretary of the Party Central Commitee.
- Françoise Sagan writes Hello Sadness. Jacques Tati makes Mr Hulot's Holiday.
- Ian Fleming publishes his first James Bond book.