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In 1899, Fiat is born. The beginning of 125 years of 'The Sweet Life' of beautiful Italian cars. Timeless classics, small family cars oozing with Italian flair and the occasional sporting sensation truly make Fiat the driving force behind the Italian automobile industry. From the 4th of July until the 1st of September Autoworld turns the summer 'tricolore' and honors Fiat.
Mephisto
In 1899, Italy decends into a deep crisis. But the land of the boot will soon close the automobile into its passionate heart. Only the Pope will be more revered than the car. It is Giovanni Agnelli who manages to combine craftsmanship, technical ingenuity and unmistakable Italian flair on an industrial scale with his Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino, Fiat in short. And from time to time, the brand goes in search of sporting success. The most famous result of this is 'Mephistopheles,' a true monster equipped with an aircraft engine that sets speed records for Fiat.
Topolino
Following Henry Ford, Agnelli understands that mass production makes cars cheaper and accessible to a larger public. Italy's thirst for automobiles does the rest. By the early 1920s, 80% of the Italian automobile market is owned by Fiat. In 1923, Agnelli moves into the Lingotto factory in the heart of Turin, the most modern assembly plant in Europe, including a rooftop test track. After the Second War, Italy is once again in deep crisis. The country is on the losing side and industry is literally bombed to pieces. Fiat gets back to work, focusing even more on the average Italian, with the pre-war Topolino and, of course, the illustrious Cinquecento.
Otto Vu & Multipla
But Fiat would not be an Italian brand if they did not regularly give in to their underbelly, of which the V8-engined Ottovu becomes the most imaginative exponent. There are also brilliant designs like the Multipla, the first 'people carrier' based on the 600.
Fiat 2300 Coupé
Fiat, meanwhile, continues to focus on mass production, but again occasionally shows its prowess. With models like the 2300S, released in 1961, it has a flagship that can compete with the most prestigious Italian or other rivals. When Fiat takes a large stake in Ferrari and Lancia, most sporting ambitions are channeled towards these brands. And the same happens later on with alfa Romeo when it is taken under Fiat's wings.
Panda
The giant that Fiat has since become, with partnerships with Seat and Lada in addition to its own brands, is hit hard again when a severe crisis sweps through the automotive sector in the 1980s. But with the Panda, Fiat once again reverted to an attainable model for all. The Panda would grow into a cult model that would later be followed by a more modern version.
Fiat Panda
The modern Panda would also form the basis for the new Cinquecento 500, with which Fiat achieved another unprecedented global success. In 2014, Fiat merges into Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV. In 2019, that becomes the giant Stellantis when the French PSA Group joins its ranks. In that capacity, Fiat is steaming ahead with united forces for the next 125 years.
