Tuesday, October 13, 1998
André Citroën admis à l'Automotive Hall of Fame (1998)
André Citroën (1878-1935) est le 1er français à être admis à l'Automotive Hall of Fame, temple des célébrités mondiales de l'automobile, situé près de Detroit, à Dearborn dans le Michigan (USA). La cérémonie d'admission eut lieu le 13 octobre 1998. C'est son petit-fils Henri-Jacques Citroën qui représenta la famille Citroën pour recevoir le trophée de cristal et inaugurer la vitrine permanente du Musée, consacrée à André Citroën et son oeuvre. Il prononça le discours ci-joint.
AUTOMOTIVE HALL OF FAME (Dearborn, Mi, USA)
Induction of André Citroën
Oct. 13th, 1998 Ceremony
Henri J. Citroën‘s speech
Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen,
I am very pleased to be here, with you, tonight. My father Bernard wanted to come but he is recovering from surgery.
As a grandson of André Citroën, it is a great honour to represent my late grandfather.
André Citroën, was one of the world pioneers who turned the production of cars into a market-minded and conquerring industry: after mass-producing shells for the Allies during World War One, he converted himself into a large scale car maker. His company and his philosophy survived him successfully: the tradition of creating unique designs has been kept. “When an idea is good, there is no price to realize it”, he used to say, while always trying to improve his employees well-being and make technology progress. That was his legacy for France which has been one of the foremost players of the international automotive game.
In Europe, there are so many Citroën dealers that there is no way to forget my name ! Citroën is a household yet unusual name, so people often ask me if I am related to André Citroën and if it is not too hard to bear such a name. In a way, it is, inasmuch as my grandfather did so much during his short life.
Being the first European mass producer of cars earned him the nickname of the “French Henry Ford”… I’m very impressed to be here, in Dearborn, where he met with Henry Ford: here, two great men exchanging ideas… He admired, as I do today, the creativity of North America.
He was a master of public relations: remember the adventurous crossing of Africa and Asia, or his lit name all along the Eiffel Tower during many years, the tallest publicity ever.
He would be very happy to see that this outstanding “Automotive Hall of Fame” chose him as the first French inductee. This extraordinary distinction means more to my family and my country than I can say. Thank you for recognizing his contribution to the development of the industry. Thank you for this special honour that we share today with other impressive inductees.
Merci !
AUTOMOTIVE HALL OF FAME (Dearborn, Mi, USA)
Induction of André Citroën
Oct. 13th, 1998 Ceremony
Henri J. Citroën‘s speech
Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen,
I am very pleased to be here, with you, tonight. My father Bernard wanted to come but he is recovering from surgery.
As a grandson of André Citroën, it is a great honour to represent my late grandfather.
André Citroën, was one of the world pioneers who turned the production of cars into a market-minded and conquerring industry: after mass-producing shells for the Allies during World War One, he converted himself into a large scale car maker. His company and his philosophy survived him successfully: the tradition of creating unique designs has been kept. “When an idea is good, there is no price to realize it”, he used to say, while always trying to improve his employees well-being and make technology progress. That was his legacy for France which has been one of the foremost players of the international automotive game.
In Europe, there are so many Citroën dealers that there is no way to forget my name ! Citroën is a household yet unusual name, so people often ask me if I am related to André Citroën and if it is not too hard to bear such a name. In a way, it is, inasmuch as my grandfather did so much during his short life.
Being the first European mass producer of cars earned him the nickname of the “French Henry Ford”… I’m very impressed to be here, in Dearborn, where he met with Henry Ford: here, two great men exchanging ideas… He admired, as I do today, the creativity of North America.
He was a master of public relations: remember the adventurous crossing of Africa and Asia, or his lit name all along the Eiffel Tower during many years, the tallest publicity ever.
He would be very happy to see that this outstanding “Automotive Hall of Fame” chose him as the first French inductee. This extraordinary distinction means more to my family and my country than I can say. Thank you for recognizing his contribution to the development of the industry. Thank you for this special honour that we share today with other impressive inductees.
Merci !
