Citroën is a French automotive manufacturer founded in 1919 by André Citroën. Since its early years, and models like the Traction Avant, Citroën has been known for creating innovative, forward thinking cars. While also known for their innovations, Citroën is also well known for being slightly quirky and distinctive, giving their cars a personality few automotive manufacturers could hope to achieve. Models like the 2CV and DS are not only highly regarded cars, but they are also culturally important, featuring regularly in pop culture. In 1976, Citroën was acquired by Peugeot, and has since produced notable models such as the SM and XM, but much of the original character and flair of Citroën has been restrained since the acquisition. While early models were sold in North America, in 1991 Citroën decided to pull out of the market.