Citroen revives the 2CV for an electric age

But the retro-nostalgia trend has accelerated recently, as carmakers have looked for ways to sell electric cars to sceptical consumers.

Citroen’s French rival, Renault, has led the charge. It started with the Renault 5 E-Tech, which visually echoed the distinctive boxy styling of the original Renault 5, once an ever-present sight on French streets. It has since revived the Renault 4 and Twingo brands as well.

VW has the distinctive ID-Buzz minivan, a throwback to the classic T2 Transporter, while Ford is working on a new EV which is widely expected to be called the Fiesta.

Rachel Burgess, senior editor of Autocar magazine, thinks it is a strategy that makes perfect sense.

“It’s a brilliant differentiator from all-new car brands”, she says. “An older audience might remember the originals and feel warmly towards them, and a younger audience might find an appeal in the retro aspect.”

Finding new ways to make cars appealing has become more important than ever, at a time when European manufacturers are facing growing competition from Chinese brands.

“Many in the industry believe the big automotive players in Europe…face a very serious existential threat from aggressive Chinese manufacturers,” says David Leggett, automotive editor at Global Data.