In April 1958 the first series of 25 AZUs were built and
exported to
Morocco, the remaining 375 cars built that year were reserved for the
home market.
In 1959 production of the AZL Berline started but the company
concentrated on the AZU.
The Spanish cars followed the evolution of the French models but were
fitted with the outre-mer' tubular bumpers at the front.
In
1960 annual output had increased to 3600 cars. This was a
forerunner of things to come as national demand for cars grew.
The
Vigo factory was expanded to double its size in 1966 and with this, the
factory started supplying parts for the Citroën plants in Latin
America, increasing from 129 tons to 6167 tons over ten years. Car
production grew from 6200 in 1961 to 43,000 in 1966.
A very limited
run of 85 2CV 4x4 (factory code AT/AW) were built during 1965 for the
Guardia Civil who were obliged to buy Spanish products.
The price lists also show the AZAM version with 425cc engine.
Tyres fitted to the 2CV came from Michelin’s factory in Lasarte in the
Spanish Basque Country.
When
sales of the 2CV in Vigo fell in 1970, the media speculated that the
factory might close but the market recovered; the oil crisis suddenly
made economical cars like the 2CV attractive and the model enjoyed a
rebirth.
Production of the 2CV continued until 1984.
Above 1960 AZL
Above the Vigo production line in
1958 Below the Vigo
production line in 1960
Above Vigo production line
Above and below Guardia Civil 4x4
AZ-AM- 6
The AZAM 6 was a model originally built in Belgium which used the
engine from the Ami6. The Vigo plant put this model into production,
albeit initially badged as AZ-AM-6 with 12 volt (as opposed to 6 volt)
electrics in November 1966. The AZAM 6 continued to be sold
alongside the 2CV6 for a short while.
At the beginning of the eighties three Spanish market
only 2CVs were introduced - a black and red Charleston, the Transat
which was sold as the Beachcomber in Britain and as France 3 in other
markets and the 2cv Marcatelo to celebrate the 1982 World Championship
football tournaments.
Manufacture of the 2CV in Vigo ended in 1984 with
production being transferred to factories in France and later in
Portugal where, on 27th July 1990 the last 2CV rolled off the
production line in Mangualde.
Above and below the first AZUs destined for
export to Morocco
Below the Vigo
factory in 1958
Below the AZU in a street market
Above Guardia Civil AZLs
AK 350
In February 1967 the AK35O with a load capacity of 350 kg was put on
sale. At the end of 1968, the AKS350 was introduced - a more
rudimentary version of the AK 350 using some of the body panels of the
AZU 250/275 which it replaced.
Shortly afterwards, the longer AK 400 was introduced and many were
exported to western Europe.
Above 1968 AKS 350
Above and below AK 400
Below one of the last Spanish-built
2CVs from 1984