| Citroën FAF | |
| Manufacturer: | Citroën |
| Production: | 1973–1981 |
| Engine: | Flat-2 |
| 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 |
| 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. 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.
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.[9] The Pony was exported as well, including to the United States of America.[10] 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.[9]
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.[11]
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 |
| 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 |