History of Fiat

Fiat is one of the leading carmakers since 1899, which ironically coincides with the time of Italian industrialization. Giovanni Agnelli who was one of the company’s directors was considered the innovator in the industry. By 1900, the first Fiat factory was opened in Carso Dante, and it housed 150 professionals. Fiat launched 24 cars in the same year, and this included the Company's first model, the 3 ½ CV. By 1904, a new design logo was incorporated into the vehicles released from the stables of Fiat. By 1908, Fiat started planning to set up offices and factories abroad – it resulted in the Fiat Automobile Company in America.

The company began to expand itself as a luxury car manufacturer in America as the models released by them were pricier than the then available domestic cars. Their expansions lead to a new product line, which included trucks, trams, marine engines and commercial vehicles. Fiat started up new departments like electricity, public transportation lines, railways and the steel industry before the First World War and continued to do so even after that. Another subsequent branch was established in Russia, and it was christened Fiat Lubrificanti. By the end of War, Fiat was in crisis because workers of the Italian Socialist Party briefly held the Company’s factories in 1921.

However, they recovered fast as Giovanni Agnelli was promoted to the position of CEO of Fiat. A number of new car models were produced, including the four-seat 509. When the Second World War broke out, the production of cars was almost stopped as Fiat began manufacturing commercial and military vehicles, aircraft, weapons and machinery for the war effort. By the end of the war, Giovanni Agnelli, the then President of Fiat, died in 1945. Vittorio Valletta was appointed CEO of the Company. Two new cars the 500 and 1400 were introduced and mass production of these cars came with the installation of heating and ventilation systems.

Fiat’s research on aircraft and marine engines resulted in the creation of 1951, the G830 jet aircraft - the first for Italy. The 1400 diesel was released in 1953, and the Fiat 600 was with the engine mounted in the rear was released in 1955. The New 500 was released in 1957 and by 1960, the Giardinetta version was produced - a precursor of the Station Wagon. Fiat continued to grow into the mid 1960s, in both exports as well as domestic trades. Fiat was poised to take advantage of the increase in the car ownership and established many factories in southern Italy.

The trade union conflicts in 1969 caused the fiat to lose several millions of person-hours. The company had a new CEO; and he led the company through its growth for 50 years, and they continued to produce famous cars like Uno and Punto. The Panda launched in 2004 bagged the best car of the year, and they introduced a recreated version of its famous fiat 500 in the year 2007. Fiat with a century of experience in car making is still one of the leading car makers of the world.