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Fiat Cars

One hundred and ten years old and still a strong Italian carmaker, Fiat has recently indicated that it will return to its roots by restoring the original mission statement, "namely to build cars with attractive styling and exciting engines, cars that are accessible and improve the quality of everyday life". To complete the new working philosophy, they have created a revised logo based on the emblem that cars displayed between the years of 1931 and 1968. Although the badge has changed many times over the history of the brand, the trademarked "A" in the word Fiat, remains the same.

Founded in July 1899, the original company was called "Società Anonima Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino". It was started with a group of investors but Giovanni Agnelli who held the position of Secretary to the Board came to the forefront as the main thrust and innovator of the cars to be manufactured. As a result of his drive and vision, he was named Managing Director in 1902. Early on, Fiat was very aggressive, winning many races and expanding outside of its home territory of Italy. Even its factory was the envy of other manufacturing concerns of its time. Built in 1916 with an impressive five floor layout, and a test track on its roof that was well ahead of its time, the plant was the biggest in Europe.

Milestones in Fiat's History:

 

" 1902 Listed on Stock Exchange
" 1916 through 1922 built Lingotto factory
" 1921 Company created clubs and special employee benefits such as health care, schools, and sports organizations
" Giovanni Agnelli becomes CEO
" He realized that mass production was the only way to provide cars economically to the masses and made technologically-advanced production, the company's priority.
" Also realize the need for financing and established Sava, a holding company that was set up to promote installment plans for purchasing cars.
" 1937 work began on the Mirafiori factory. It was even more futuristic and advanced than the first factory laying the groundwork for efficient line production.
" 1945 Giovanni Agnelli died and Vittorio Valletta was named president of Fiat.
" 1948 saw the restoration of the plants due to the destruction caused during the war. The success of the rebuilding was largely attributed to subsidies provided by the American Marshall Plan, a program put in place to deter communism by way of helping European companies grow and become stronger.
" 1953 The first Fiat diesel vehicle, the 1400, is released.
" 1958 Production capacity was doubled and factories were built abroad.
" 1966 Giovanni Agnelli, the grandson became president and the focus on automation continued.
" 1969 Purchased fifty percent of Ferrari and later increased the investment to eighty-seven percent.
" 1978 Automation took a huge step forward with a robotic system called "Robogate".
" 1979 The auto division of Fiat is set up independently from the company. The new entity is called Fiat Auto S.p.A and includes Fiat, Lancia, Autobianchi, Abarth, Ferrari.
" 1984 Took over Alfa Romeo.
" 1993 Took over Maserati.
" In 1996 Cesare Romiti became CEO as Giovanni Agnelli was named Honorary President of the Fiat Group
" 1995 Sixty percent of Fiat's total sales were outside of Italy.
" 1999 Celebrated one-hundredth Anniversary by badging the cars with the round logo.
" 2003 Giovanni Agnelli died, ending his fifty year association with Fiat.
" 2004 Company moved into a new era by returning to original mission statement.
" 2005 Fiat launched a new 600 to celebrate the model's fiftieth anniversary.
" 2006 Sedici was the official car of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games.
" 2007 The newest logo was released on the Bravo.
" 2008 Fiat 500 was awarded Car of the Year, the eighth win for the Fiat brand.

 

Various Models and Years Released:

 

1904 Model 4 HP
1934 Balilla or its nickname Tariffa minima
1935 621 Truck
1936 Topolino
1950 1400
1955 600
1957 500
1959 1800
1960 500 Giardiniera
1961 1300
1961 1500
1961
1964 850
1965 500 Berlina
1970 128
1971 127
1980 Panda
1982 Uno
1989 Tipo
1990 Tempra
1993 Punto
1993 Coupé
1994 Ulysse SUV
1995 Barchetta
1995 Bravo
1995 Brava
1996 Marea
1996 Marea WE
1997 Palio
1998 Seicento
1998 Multipla
2000 Doblò
2000 Siena
2000 Palio Weekend
2001 Stilo
2004 Idea
2005 Croma
2006 Sedici
2009 Punto Evo
2009 500C