History of Fiat

The Fiat company today is a huge concern that produces a wide range of equipment intended for construction, agriculture, freight and passenger transportation, as well as road and sports cars. It was founded in 1899 by a group of businessmen, but the original name was not so short – “Societa Anonima Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino”. In the early years of its existence, the company was engaged in the assembly of cars of the Renault brand, but already in 1903 it began to rapidly expand its fields of activity, and first it took on trucks, and then passenger buses. In addition, the abolished duties on the import of steel from abroad allowed her to even take on the production of ship and aircraft engines.

Fiat passenger cars were originally produced in small numbers as prestigious and expensive cars. However, due to their high quality and regular victories in various auto races, they were sold very widely. One of the most impressive victories of the time was won by the Fiat S61 in 1911 at the French Grand Prix. It is worth noting that the engine of this model had an incredible volume – 10.5 liters.

In 1912, the development of large-scale Fiat passenger cars began. The owners of the company wanted to launch on the market not only high-quality, but also original cars that would stand out against the background of any tricks of competitors. In order to have a wide choice of bodies for their products, they enter into contracts with a number of body shops – Zagato, Locati & Toretta and Touring. In 1916, the construction of the Lingotto factory began, which lasted 6 years. This production complex was the largest in Europe, and was designed to ensure the conveyor production of cars.

The first model that received wide recognition was the Fiat Balilla, released by the concern in 1932. It had very low fuel consumption and low cost, which made it widely available. 4 years later, Fiat Topolino was released, compact and even cheaper, repeating the success of the previous one.

During the Second World War, air bombings destroyed most of the company’s production facilities, and the rest were nationalized. In the context of post-war shortages, Fiat made the right bet on the production of cheap and economical passenger cars, releasing updated models one after another. In 1950, the first diesel car Fiat 1400 was produced.

In 1966, Fiat entered into an agreement with the Soviet Union, and the Volga Automobile Plant was built in Togliatti, which initially produced Fiat models under its own name. So, the well-known “penny”, or VAZ-2101, is almost identical to the Fiat-124 released in 1967.

In 1969, Fiat buys Lancia from the owners. The years of the oil crisis that followed did not lead the company to collapse, but only forced them to focus on increasing production efficiency and controlling product quality and its economy.

In 1980, the Fiat Panda was introduced, designed by the famous Giorgetto Giugiaro. The car was very inexpensive, but at the same time it was of high quality and easy to repair in the event of a breakdown, which made it a bestseller in Europe. Panda cars can be seen on the streets of Europe even today. No less popular was the Fiat Uno, released three years later and bringing together a lot of electronics updates, engine components and other aspects.

In 1986, Alfa Romeo comes under the control of the Fiat concern after the purchase of a controlling stake in this company.

Fiat’s new bestseller, the Punto hatchback, saw the light of day in 1993. It was produced in several variations – covered with 3.5 doors, a convertible and a modification of the Gran Turismo, which had the maximum configuration.

In 2003, a new Fiat Punto appeared, equipped with an innovative 1.3 Multijet 16v engine, and the Barchetta was also updated.

In autumn, the new Fiat Panda saw the light of day and received the title of “Car of the Year 2004”.

In 2004, the Fiat Idea went on sale, becoming Fiat’s first station wagon and also the first car entrusted with promoting the brand’s new mission. This car received a unique design.

In 2006, Fiat changes its logo again. It was developed together with the Robilant Associati agency and the Fiat Style Center.

Today, the concern produces equipment for industry and civil needs, and is one of the largest automakers.

In 2007, a presentation of the new Fiat 500 model was held in the city of Turin. The premiere date was not chosen by chance, because it was on July 4, fifty years ago, that a new machine of the same name was launched into production by this company, with which the formation of a new generation is associated. The novelty, in fact, was a modernized and improved version of the Fiat Panda. “Fiat 500” was equipped with two powerful gasoline engines of different sizes (from 1.2 to 1.4 liters) with a capacity of up to 100 horsepower. All units operate on a six-speed or five-speed gearbox. Environmentalists should be delighted with this vehicle, because its engines are fully compliant with Euro 5 standards.

In 2015, the Fiat Bravo ceased to exist, as the demand for it in our region fell sharply. Despite this, in South America, the modernized spacious hatchback “Bravo” is sold very successfully. This model is the closest relative of the Centro Stile Fiat, released back in 2007. Only now the model has received new bumpers, wheels, a convenient touch screen, wheels and a comfortable steering wheel.

In Brazil, the Fiat Bravo, which was unveiled in January 2015, will be just an interim option before Fiat-Chrysler launches in 2016. It is worth noting that over a billion dollars have already been invested in the project of the latter, part of which will go to expand the capabilities of the largest plant of this brand, Minas Gerais.

Every year, the concern bought bankrupt companies and today under its “roof” there are not only automotive companies FERRARI, ALFA ROMEO and LANCIA, but also a couple of factories specializing in the production of specialized equipment, namely tractors.