Citroën FAF | |
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | Citroën |
Production | 1973–1981 |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Compact SUV |
Body style | 2-door/no-door utility |
Layout | FF layout |
Related |
Baby-Brousse Citroën 2CV Citroën Méhari Citroën Dyane Citroën Ami Citroën Bijou |
Powertrain | |
Engine | Flat-2 |
Chronology | |
Successor |
Citroën C-Crosser Citroën E-Méhari Namco Pony Super (For Namco Pony) |
The Citroën FAF is a small utility vehicle produced by the French manufacturer Citroën from 1973 until 1981. [1] It was built using a combination of imported and locally sourced components in various developing countries. [2] The body was made of easy to produce, folded steel panels, giving an appearance resembling a metal-bodied version of the Méhari. [3] The flat metal panels and simple components were meant to allow for easier production, mostly in developing countries. [2]
The origin of this idea was the privately built 1963 Baby-Brousse from Ivory Coast, and its many derivatives. [2] Notably these include La Dalat (Vietnam), Pony (Greece), Jyane-Mehari (Iran), and Yagan (Chile).
The various Baby-Brousse cars were quite successful, selling over 30,000 units. [2]
Both the FAF and Baby-Brousse are derived from the 2CV. The concept predates the FAF name, so it is often erroneously reported that some of Baby-Brousse vehicles were based on the FAF. [3]
FAF stood for the French Facile à Fabriquer and Facile à Financer (Easy to Manufacture, Easy to Finance).
The primary target market for the FAF was Africa. However, the concept of a "second-class" car that was connected with the FAF seems to have affected its manufacture and sales remained low. [4]
The FAF idea coincided with the widespread production of Baby Brousse 2CV-based vehicles in many countries, so the two often overlap. [5]
In 1969, Citroën's Vietnamese subsidiary began building La Dalat, the first automobile manufactured in Vietnam. [6] [7] Production ended when Americans departed Saigon in 1975 at the end of the Vietnam War. [8] In total, 3880 Dalats were built. [9]
In 1972, the Greek firm Namco began production of the Pony. This was the most successful version of these 'simplified' 2CV utility vehicles, selling 30,000 units. [10] The Pony was exported as well, including to the United States of America. [11] Production of this "poor man’s jeep," that benefitted from special tax rules, ended in 1983, two years after Greece joined the European Union. 67% of the parts were of Greek origin. [10]
An attempt to start production in Sri Lanka by the Ceylon Transport Board in the early 1970s failed due to a dispute over royalties, but a prototype was displayed at the Republic Day celebrations in 1974. [12]
Various kit car style bodies inspired by the FAF and Méhari, such as Belgium's VanClee, were also developed.
Country | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | Total |
Portugal | 180 | 30 | 180 | 240 | 180 | 810 [2] |
Guinea Bissau | 0 | 0 | 120 | 180 | 0 | 300 |
Central African Republic | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 0 | 60 |
Sénégal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 15 |
Sri Lanka | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Indonesia | 0 | 0 | 60 | 540 | 0 | 600 |
Total FAF | 181 | 30 | 360 | 1,020 | 195 | 1,786 |