General De Gaulle and a DS
The Company in 1958
- Citroën Hispania opens a plant in the Spanish port of Vigo and starts to produce 2CV vans for the Spanish market and for export. By manufacturing vehicles inside Spain, Citroën gains access to a market where strict quotas are placed on imports.
- On 9 October, Quai de Javel is officially renamed "Quai André Citroën".
- annual production : 246 305 vehicles.
The models in 1958
DS & ID break : 1959-1975
production : 94.044
- The DS 19 Prestige is launched at the same time. Aimed at businessmen, it has a glass partition between the front and back seats.
- March sees the launch of the 2CV Sahara, a four-wheel drive vehicle with two 425 cm3 engines developing total output of 24 bhp SAE at 3,500 rpm and rated 5 bhp. The amazing off-road capabilities of the 2CV 4 x 4 are especially appreciated by oil exploration and mining teams in desert areas. The car is capable of climbing a sandy 40% slope fully laden. The Sahara finally goes into production in December 1960, and 694 examples are produced in the following six years.
In the news in 1958
- In France, General de Gaulle is elected first President of the Fifth Republic (1958-1969).
- The introduction of unemployment benefit rounds out the social security structure in France (Assedic).
- The NASA is founded.
- The first American satellite, Explorer 1, is placed in orbit.