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The trial: Citroën versus Opel

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Created on March 1, 1978

Reading time 11min

Written by:

Marc Muylaert

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

2

General Motors / Opel

4

Bruno von Rotz

2

Citroën/Werk

1

Opel Automobile GmbH

1

Archiv

14

Daniel Reinhard

2

General Motors / Opel

4

Bruno von Rotz

2

Citroën/Werk

1

Opel Automobile GmbH

1

Archiv

14

Citroën 5 CV (1922) - apart präsentiert

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Citroën 5 HP (1922) - in der Werbung

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Citroën 5 CV (1925) - als Cabriolet

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Citroën 5 CV (1922) - das Dach ist ein minimaler Wetterschutz, nicht mehr

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Citroën 5 CV (1922) - spartanische Innenausstattung

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Citroën 5 CV (1922) - am GP Brugger Schachen 2013

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Citroën 5 CV (1922) - am GP Brugger Schachen 2013

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Citroën C3 5CV (1922) - im Museo nazionale dell`automobile di Torino

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Opel 4/12 PS "Laubfrosch" (1924) - als Zweisitzer

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Opel 4/12 PS (1925) - Fahrgestell von der Seite und von oben

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Opel 4/12 PS Laubfrosch (1924) - Korso einer Tagesproduktion von 125 Laubfröschen auf der Opel-Rennbahn, 1924

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Opel 4/12 PS Laubfrosch (1924) - Korso einer Tagesproduktion von 125 Laubfröschen auf der Opel-Rennbahn, 1924

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Opel 4/12 PS "Laubfrosch" (1924) - Neupreis DM 4000, 70 km/h Spitze

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Opel 4/12 PS "Laubfrosch" (1924) - kompakter und günstiger Wagen

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Opel 4/12 PS "Laubfrosch" (1924) - mit Vierzylindermotor

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Opel 4/12 PS "Laubfrosch" (1924) - aufgenommen an der Internationalen Nostalgie Autoshow in Bern im Jahr 1986

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Opel 4/12 PS "Laubfrosch" (1924) - gezeigt an der IAA in Frankfurt von 1961

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Citroën 5 CV Trèfle (1925) - aufgenommen in den Achtzigerjahren

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Opel 4/12 PS "Laubfrosch" (1924) - dreimal Volks-Opel nebeneinander auf dem geschichtsträchtigen, aber heute verfallenen Testgelände von Opel in Rüsselsheim

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Opel 4 PS "Laubfrosch"

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Opel Laubfrosch (1926) - im Verkehrszentrum des Deutschen Museums

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Opel 4/20 PS (1929) - Chassis einer späten Variante

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Opel 4/16 PS (1926) - Süddeutsche Tourenfahrt einschließlich 24-Stunden-Rennen im Taunus 18. - 28. Juni 1926. Fahrer: Oberingenieur Bergmann, Beifahrer: E. Zoogmann.21328

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Opel 4/16 PS (1928) - Limousine mit dem neuen Kühler nach Packard-Vorbild

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Summary

The Citroën 5 HP, especially in its "Trèfle" version, was a popular veteran car in Europe. A few decades ago, the legendary Laubfrosch from Rüsselsheim was no less popular. Almost 100 years ago, Citroën did not see the similarity between the two models as a coincidence and filed a lawsuit against Opel. This article looks at the dispute and shows who ultimately prevailed.

This article contains the following chapters

Copycat products
It goes to court
Mathis or Citroën?
No likelihood of confusion?
Lack of patent and utility model protection
Action dismissed
Subtle differences
No third attempt

Estimated reading time: 11min

Preview (beginning of the article)

With his 5 HP, also known as the Type C, the prototype of which was completed in 1920, André Citroën created a new era in European automobile construction. Until then, a motor car had often enough been an expensive, heavy vehicle and usually also a luxury object, reserved for a wealthy elite - Citroën was keen to produce a vehicle that on the one hand had the advantages of the cycle car, and on the other was to be a "real" automobile and could even be a commercial vehicle. André Citroën's aim was to create a small car with sufficient power: The image had to be that of a real car with the appropriate level of comfort - and above all, the selling price could not be too high. These were the prerequisites for making the new model affordable for a wide range of buyers.

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