The company “4 wheels under 1 umbrella”, which organizes tourist trips in 2CV in Paris and Bordeaux, has a new project. Ten years after putting “Marguerite”, the first approved electric 2CV into circulation, it intends to create the first hydrogen 2CV in history!
In Paris and Bordeaux, tourists wishing to treat themselves to an original visit of the city can do so aboard a Citroën 2CV with driver. “4 wheels under a umbrella ”invites you to explore the most beautiful monuments of the city, comfortably installed in the back seat of a Deuche. The company, which went through a zone of turbulence with the covid-19 pandemic, was acquired in June 2021 by a duo of passionate entrepreneurs who are teeming with ideas and intends to develop the first hydrogen 2CV in history! Meeting with Emmanuel Mounier and Romain Jouhaud, respectively president and general manager of the company.
Thermal, electric 2CVs …
Originally, in 2003, “4 wheels under a umbrella” was content to offer rides aboard Deuche with a thermal engine. Then in 2010 Florent Dargnies, the president and founder of the agency, had the crazy idea of converting the 2 legs to electricity. At the time, fashion was not yet retrofitting. It took him five years of hard work and the support of Citroën (cautious at the announcement of the project) to develop Daisy, the first 100% electric 2CV. This Deudeuche, recognizable by its green tint, operates within a fleet of around forty twin-cylinder models. The desire of the two buyers is to increase the number of “zero emission” models ” in order to be able to continue the activity in the city centers, which will end up emptying their gasoline and diesel cars.
… And soon to hydrogen?
The company doesn’t just want to bet on battery models. Its ambition is to develop a hydrogen 2CV by 2025. ” Because it’s in tune with the times and undoubtedly one of the engines of the future “, Justifies Emmanuel Mounier. ” 4 wheels under an umbrella was attractive to take back, says Romain Jouhaud, because it’s not just a tourism business. It is also a company that has developed technical innovations. We really want to continue in this dynamic. “
By developing this hydrogen 2CV, the duo of engineers also wants to respond to the constraint of autonomy. Today, Daisy is able to travel about 100 km with one charge. ” This is more than enough for walks of 1 hour to 1 hour 30 in Paris “Admit the two leaders. But, to organize B2B events (one of their areas of development), this technology can quickly ” create logistical complexity »Says Romain, referring to the network of charging stations. Conversely, he continues, “ the hydrogen project would allow us to have greater autonomy, therefore to better meet our need for events in the provinces “.
Which partners to develop this original Deuche?
To date, the two entrepreneurs explain that they have not yet defined the strategy, but ensure that they are in discussion with partners and in search of funding to finalize the project, which is starting from scratch. ” It is a prototype that we will develop ourselves »Explains Emmanuel Mounier, who aims to release it before 2025! ” Yes ! it’s an ambitious project, assures Romain Jouhaud. With 4 wheels under an umbrella, I will be able to combine my passion for 2CV with my past as an engine engineer. »Obviously, that helps!
As for the deployment of the 100% electric 2CV fleet, “4 Roues sous un parapluie” is studying in particular the possibility of joining forces with partners already well advanced on the project such as the 2CV Méhari Club Cassis, which approved the first kit of retrofit for the Deuche. But may lovers of the most popular Citroën be reassured! Emmanuel and Romain do not have the ambition to convert the entire thermal park they own (45 vehicles). They want to keep the authenticity and collectible vehicles in their integrity. ” We have economic challenges vis-à-vis our commercial activity, but we must also keep the pleasure of these cars of the past », Confirms Emmanuel Mounier. The leader knows, this eclectic fleet is also ” a commercial argument to attract companies that would like to play more vintage, techno or a mixture of the two “.
Tourist 2CVs soon in Lyon and Annecy
The two men will work on this project in parallel with the relaunch of the activity. ” We want to get our cars back in shape and to work »They assure, although the tourist context is not favorable. ” It’s very complicated, Emmanuel Mounier attests, we only made a few thousand euros in turnover in tourism operations », While the B2B activity has almost ten times more orders. So that the cash flow allows them to meet their future challenges, entrepreneurs will set up near Lyon and Annecy in 2022. They will also resume their activity of walks on the roads of the most beautiful villages in France in order to increase their visibility. These rallies, where 10 to 20 Citroëns are engaged, offer model lovers the opportunity to rediscover France in a different way. Notice to fans, the next edition will be held in May 2022 between Paris and Cannes.
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