Citroën FAF
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]

Origin

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]

Name and target market

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]

Pre-FAF cars

Namco Pony Greece U.S. Model

Pony rear

Citroën Yagan from Chile

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.

Production history

References

External links

• FAF Facile à Fabriquer, Facile à Financer
• Vietnam's 'Dalat'
• Mehari-based vehicles