Citroën Type B2
| Company type | Automobile model |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Predecessor | Citroën Type A |
| Founded | May 1921 |
| Successor | Citroën B12 |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
| Products | Automobiles |
The Citroën B2 represented the second automobile model developed by Citroën and was among the earliest European vehicles manufactured utilizing contemporary mass production techniques. Produced at André Citroën's facility located in central Paris from May 1921 until July 1926, it succeeded the Citroën Type A in June 1921, although the Type A continued to be sold until December of that year.
The car
Equipped with an enhanced four-cylinder 1,452 cc engine, often referred to as the Citroën 10CV (10HP) based on its fiscal horsepower classification for tax purposes, the B2 generated power at 2,100 rpm, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of . The drivetrain delivered torque to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual transmission lacking synchromesh. This model was recognized for its durability and economical fuel consumption, with advertised mileage of .
Production
Manufacturing took place in Paris’s 15th arrondissement at the Quai de Javel plant—later renamed Quai André-Citroën—where progressive "Taylorism" principles were implemented. These methods were influenced by André Citroën’s visits to Henry Ford’s Dearborn factories during World War I. By 1925, this facility had attained a daily output rate of 200 vehicles.
Further developments and the Citroën B10
During the October 1924 Paris Motor Show, Citroën unveiled a 10CV variant featuring "tout-acier" ("all-steel") body construction, initially available as a "Conduite Intérieure" sedan and subsequently as a "Torpedo" model in early 1925. This all-steel body version was designated as the Citroën B10 for the 1925 lineup, while models retaining traditional timber-framed bodies continued under the B2 name.
Throughout 1925, certain B2 cars adopted styling elements from the B10’s steel bodies, including rounded fenders and redesigned fuel filler caps, which gradually diminished distinctions between these two lines. The chassis and mechanical components were largely compatible across both models, with production overlapping until late 1926.
In October 1925, Citroën launched the improved Citroën B12, which ultimately replaced both the B2 and B10 by the conclusion of 1926.
Commercial
The introduction of the all-steel bodied Citroën Type B10 in late 1924 marked a turning point in European automobile manufacturing, although its full economic ramifications were not immediately recognized by competitors. Nonetheless, the importance of the Citroën Type B2 remains significant. As Europe’s second mass-produced automobile, the B2 achieved remarkable commercial success with a total production volume of 89,841 units over five years. In 1925, no other European manufacturer matched Citroën’s production methods or attained comparable sales figures for a single car model.
Half-track variants
The Half-track vehicles that captured public attention by traversing the Sahara Desert in 1922 were derived from the Citroën B2 chassis. Understanding the marketing potential, André Citroën orchestrated this groundbreaking Sahara expedition.
A fleet of eight B2-based Half-track vehicles also participated in the renowned "Croisière noire" (Citroën Central Africa expedition), which crossed Africa from west to east via Lake Victoria. Led by explorers Georges-Marie Haardt and Louis Audoin-Dubreuil, and sponsored by Citroën, this journey spanned from October 1924 to June 1925 and garnered considerable attention at the 19th Paris Motor Show.
In 1924, Poland acquired 135 B2 chassis fitted with Kégresse track systems (Citroën-Kegresse B2 10CV). Some units were converted into off-road trucks while ninety were modified into Samochód pancerny wz. 28 armored vehicles.
Classification within the French taxation and insurance framework
Similar to the earlier model, this vehicle was designated as a 10 CV.