Who is this FIAT, exactly?

In 1899 in Turin, a group of men committed to progress founded the Fabbrica Italiana di Automobili Torino, or F.I.A.T. As early as 1906 the production plant employed 1,500 people and manufactured 1,150 cars. That's when Fiat decided to develop a strategy for growth based on globalization and product diversification. On the eve of World War I, Fiat, under Giovanni Agnelli's management, was already driving the Italian industry. During the conflict Fiat's production plants were put to the war machine's use and in 1918, at the end of the war, the company employed 40,000 people.

Fiat 3

The "little mouse"
Continuing its expansion in the 1920s, Fiat produced several successful models, including the 508 Balilla (in 1932) and the famous Cinquecento (500 in Italian) created by aeronautical engineer Dante Giacosa and of which half a million units were sold between 1936 and 1955. Affectionately referred to as Topolino because of its resemblance to Mickey Mouse, the "little mouse" is one of the icons of the world's automotive heritage.

In the 1930s, Fiat confirmed its place by opening assembly plants on several continents. World War II initially saw the expansion of the Fiat empire but ended with the destruction of its facilities, and these would need to wait until the 1950s to regain their full capacity.

The Italian miracle
Italy emerged from the ashes of the war, equipping and modernizing itself, while Fiat continued with its strategy for growth. Fiat unveiled the Seicento (the 600) in 1955, followed by another "little mouse" in 1957, the Nuova Cinquecento (the New 500). With over 8 million units sold between 1955 and 1975, the Fiat 600 and 500 took Italy and Europe by storm and ushered in the era of the "Italian miracle".

In 1970 Fiat, now 182,000 employees strong, swallowed several of its rivals and acquired 41% of Ferrari's shares (1969). Fiat also finished construction of the large Togliattigrad plant in the Soviet Union, whence came the Lada of forlorn memory.

But after the calm once again comes the storm. Social unrest and work conflicts shook the Western world. Industrial production was disrupted and quality plummet, dragging several global manufacturers down with it. At that time, Fiat carved out an abominable reputation for itself in North America due to poor quality products and a small-scale network unable to compete with the Japanese rivals. Fiat decided to throw in the towel and dropped off our map in the 1970s.

Fiat 508 Balilla