Pierre-Jules Boulanger
Pierre-Jules Boulanger (March 10, 1885 – November 12, 1950) was a French engineer and businessman. He led the automobile manufacturer Citroën as Vice President and later as President from 1935 until his death in a car accident. He was known among his colleagues by the initials "PJB".
Biography
Early life
Boulanger was born in Sin-le-Noble, Hauts-de-France. He began studying fine arts but abandoned his studies to enter the workforce. From 1906 to 1908, he completed his military service, during which he met Marcel Michelin, nephew of Édouard Michelin. After leaving the army, he traveled to the United States, where he started several business ventures.
He returned to France in 1914 and was called to serve in the military during World War I, working as an aerial photographer. He distinguished himself in service, reaching the rank of captain and receiving both the Military Cross and the Legion of Honor.
Michelin
In 1918, Boulanger began working for Michelin, reporting directly to Édouard Michelin, the company's co-director and founder. He joined the company's executive team in 1922 and became Managing Director in 1938.
In December 1934, despite financial support from Michelin, Citroën filed for bankruptcy. By that time, Michelin had become the company's largest creditor and consequently its main shareholder. Boulanger became assistant to Pierre Michelin, the newly appointed President of Citroën, later becoming Vice President and head of Engineering and Design. After Pierre Michelin's death in 1937, Boulanger assumed the presidency, a position he held until his death. He also co-directed Michelin alongside his role at Citroën.
As part of cost-cutting measures at Citroën, salaries were reduced, and the launch of the 22 V8 model was canceled. These steps proved effective, helping the company to recover financially.
World War II
During the German occupation of France in World War II, Boulanger refused to meet with Ferdinand Porsche and avoided direct communication with German authorities, instead using intermediaries. He organized a deliberate slowdown in the production of trucks for the Wehrmacht, with many vehicles sabotaged at the factory by intentionally misplacing the oil dipstick markings, causing engine failure. In 1944, when the Gestapo headquarters in Paris was taken by members of the French Resistance, Boulanger's name appeared prominently on the blacklist of "Enemies of the Reich" to be arrested in the event of an Allied invasion of France.[1]
The TPV project and the Citroën 2CV
In 1936, Boulanger initiated the TPV project (short for "Très Petite Voiture" or "Very Small Car"), which would later result in the Citroën 2CV, launched in 1948.[2] His specifications for the new model reflected his practical mindset:
The 2CV became known for its remarkable practicality and minimalist design. Under his leadership, Citroën also introduced the Citroën H commercial van in 1947, a highly functional utility vehicle that remained in production until 1981.
Boulanger died in a car accident near Broût-Vernet, Allier, on Sunday, November 12, 1950, while traveling between Clermont-Ferrand (Michelin headquarters) and Paris in a Citroën Traction Avant.[3]