Citroen's human feat: A trip to the East across Eurasia

In the early 1930s, André Citroën, the founder of the French car company Citroën, saw China as a country full of potential and made repeated efforts to establish business relations with the nation throughout his life. Unfortunately, due to historical circumstances, these attempts never came to fruition, becoming a lasting regret for Citroën. However, the "Oriental Journey" adventure organized by Citroën across Eurasia not only strengthened exchanges and mutual understanding between France and China, which had been largely isolated from each other, but also ignited passion and energy on both sides. This journey played a significant role in promoting the development of the Chinese automobile industry and laid a solid foundation for the friendship between China and France. The journey to the East began earlier than many might expect. In 1925, Citroën sent representatives through the French embassy in China to discuss the possibility of setting up an assembly plant with General Briss-Desmaya, the military attaché at the Chinese embassy. This marked the beginning of what would later become the famous "Oriental Journey." By 1928, André Citroën and his trusted associate George-Marie Halter started planning a bold expedition to China. Despite the political instability in the region at the time, Citroën was determined to embark on this journey with his Citroën car and his dream of connecting East and West. After three years of preparation, the team finally set off on April 4, 1931. The journey lasted ten months, and they arrived in Beijing on February 12, 1932. Along the way, they crossed the Largan Pass, traversed the harsh Taklamakan Desert in Xinjiang, faced detention by local warlords, and braved the challenges of crossing the Yellow River and the Himalayas. They followed the Silk Road and experienced one of the most daring automotive journeys in human history—driving across Eurasia using mechanical power. This trip brought unprecedented attention to Citroën and helped establish the brand’s global reputation. Halter, who was not only Citroën’s closest partner but also the long-term CEO of the company, led the "Pamir Group" during the journey. His group faced immense difficulties, yet they successfully reached Beijing. However, upon returning, Halter fell seriously ill and died on March 16, 1932, in Hong Kong, from pneumonia he had contracted during the trip. He had already felt unwell during the expedition, and doctors had warned him against traveling, but he kept it secret. Citroën never knew the full extent of Halter’s suffering. André Citroën passed away just three years later, on July 3, 1935, at the age of 57. Though they were unable to witness the full success of their vision, their legacy lived on. Decades later, Citroën found great success in the Chinese market, offering a fitting tribute to these two brave and noble pioneers. Their journey was more than just an adventure—it was a milestone in the history of international cooperation and automotive exploration.

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