Citroën vs Honda: Founders, CEOs and History
Citroën was founded in 1919 by André Citroën and is led by Xavier Chardon. Honda was founded in 1948 by Soichiro Honda, Takeo Fujisawa and is led by Toshihiro Mibe.
Company facts
Founders
Citroën
André Citroën
André Citroën founded his namesake automobile company in 1919 with a vision drastically different from his European contemporaries.
Honda
Soichiro Honda
Soichiro Honda founded the company in 1946. Originally a mechanic who manufactured piston rings for Toyota, he realized that post-war Japan desperately needed cheap, reliable transportation.
Takeo Fujisawa
Takeo Fujisawa co-founded Honda in 1949, serving as the absolute perfect business counterpart to Soichiro Honda's engineering obsession.
CEOs and their tenures
Citroën
- Linda Jackson2014–2020
Chief Executive Officer, Citroen
She oversaw the C4 Cactus and C5 Aircross launches. Vincent Cobee succeeded her in January 2020.
Source - Vincent Cobée2020–2023
Chief Executive Officer
Serving as CEO until 2023, he successfully launched the Ami, which became a massive viral success among urban European youth, completely bypassing traditional driver's license requirements.
Source - Thierry Koskas2023–2025
Chief Executive Officer
As CEO, he attempts to redefine the struggling brand within the massive Stellantis portfolio, positioning Citroën as the definitive entry-level, budget-conscious European automaker.
Source - Xavier Chardon2025–present
Chief Executive Officer
Appointed CEO of Citroën effective June 2, 2025, reporting to Stellantis Enlarged Europe COO Jean-Philippe Imparato. He joined PSA in 1994 and spent almost 20 years with Citroën before working at Volkswagen.
Source
Honda
- Takeo Fukui2003–2009
President and Chief Executive Officer
Honda expanded production in North America and Asia under him. Takanobu Ito succeeded him in 2009.
Source - Takanobu Ito2009–2015
President and CEO
He introduced a plan to reorganise Honda global operations and handed the presidency to Takahiro Hachigo in 2015.
Source - Takahiro Hachigo2015–2021
Former President and CEO
Hachigo trimmed excess capacity and refocused Honda on hybrids, motorcycles and its core models, which improved profitability before the EV investment cycle began.
Source - Toshihiro Mibe2021–present
Director, President and Representative Executive Officer (CEO)
Mibe's tenure has been defined by the push into electrification and its costly reset. The EV charges produced Honda's first annual loss since listing, but the shift toward hybrids and motorcycles was followed by a record first-quarter profit in FY2027.
Source
Timeline: Citroën and Honda side by side
1919Citroën
Automobiles Citroën Founded by André Citroën in Paris
Converted wartime munitions factory to build the Type A, Europe's first mass-produced automobile.
1934Citroën
Launch of the Revolutionary Citroën Traction Avant
Pioneered front-wheel drive, unibody construction, and independent front suspension.
1948Citroën
Unveiling of the Iconic Citroën 2CV People's Car
Introduced the ultra-affordable utilitarian car that motorized post-war rural France for 42 years.
1948Honda
Honda Motor Founded
Soichiro Honda establishes Honda Motor Co., Ltd. in Japan.
1955Citroën
Debut of the Legendary Hydropneumatic Citroën DS
Unveiled the aerodynamic masterpiece featuring self-leveling hydropneumatic suspension and turning headlights.
1959Honda
American Honda Opens
Honda enters the US market, initially building awareness through motorcycles.
1963Honda
Honda Enters Automobiles
Honda expands from motorcycles and engines into automobile production.
1972Honda
Civic Launch
The Civic becomes a defining global nameplate for Honda's fuel-efficient automobile strategy.
1976Citroën
Formation of PSA Peugeot Citroën Group
Merged with Peugeot to form PSA, sharing platform development while preserving brand identity.
1986Honda
Acquired Montesa
Honda Motor Co. acquired Montesa. Honda took control of the Spanish motorcycle maker Montesa, creating Montesa Honda to build trial and off-road motorcycles in Europe.
1986Honda
Acura Brand Launched
Honda launched the Acura luxury brand in the United States in 1986.
2000Honda
ASIMO Unveiled
Honda unveiled the ASIMO humanoid robot in 2000.
2015Honda
Takahiro Hachigo becomes CEO
Takahiro Hachigo became CEO of Honda Motor Co. in 2015. Hachigo trimmed excess capacity and refocused Honda on hybrids, motorcycles and its core models, which improved profitability before the EV investment cycle began.
2015Honda
First HondaJet Delivered
Honda delivered the first HondaJet business aircraft in December 2015.
2020Citroën
Launch of the Citroën Ami Electric Quadricycle
Created the viral urban micro-mobility vehicle drivable from age 14 without a standard car license.
2021Citroën
Part of Stellantis
Citroen became a Stellantis brand in January 2021 when PSA merged with Fiat Chrysler.
2021Honda
Toshihiro Mibe Becomes CEO
Mibe becomes CEO as Honda increases focus on electrification, software, and new mobility.
2023Citroën
Thierry Koskas becomes CEO
Thierry Koskas became CEO of Citroën in 2023. Led Citroën from March 2023 to mid-2025, overseeing the launch of the ë-C3 and the new brand identity before moving to another Stellantis role.
2024Citroën
Launch of the Sub-€25k Citroën ë-C3
Introduced an affordable, European-built electric hatchback on the Stellantis Smart Car platform, priced from about €23,300 at launch.
2025Citroën
Xavier Chardon Named CEO; Formula E Entry Announced
Chardon took over as CEO on June 2, 2025, and Citroën announced its entry into the Formula E world championship in September 2025.
2026Citroën
H1 2026 Sales Rise 4.4% to 373,700 Units
Renewed range lifted worldwide sales and European share to 3.4%, with EV orders up 98%.
2026Honda
FY2026 Loss and EV Reset
Honda reports ~$146 billion (JPY 21.797 trillion) in sales revenue and a ~$2.84 billion (JPY 423.9 billion) loss attributable to owners after EV write-downs, then posts a record ~$3.56 billion (JPY 530.7 billion) Q1 FY2027 operating profit in August.
Acquisitions
Citroën
- Maserati1968Undisclosed
- Panhard1965Undisclosed
- Mors Company1919Undisclosed
Honda
- Astemo, Ltd.2026Undisclosed
- Keihin Corporation2020Undisclosed
- Showa Corporation2020Undisclosed
- Nissin Kogyo Co., Ltd.2020Undisclosed
- Montesa1986Undisclosed
Questions about Citroën vs Honda
Who is the CEO of Citroën and Honda Motor Co., Ltd.?
Citroën is led by Xavier Chardon and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is led by Toshihiro Mibe. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Citroën founded vs Honda Motor Co., Ltd.?
Citroën was founded in 1919 — 29 years before Honda Motor Co., Ltd., which was founded in 1948. Citroën's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Honda Motor Co., Ltd..
How many employees does Citroën have compared to Honda Motor Co., Ltd.?
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. employs approximately 195,109 people. A verified employee count for Citroën is not currently available.
Where are Citroën and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. headquartered?
Citroën is headquartered in France and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Japan. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Citroën and Honda Motor Co., Ltd.?
Citroën was founded by André Citroën. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. was founded by Soichiro Honda, Takeo Fujisawa.
Which company has a longer operating history — Citroën or Honda Motor Co., Ltd.?
Citroën has been operating for approximately 107 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has been in operation for around 78 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Citroën vs Honda overview