Fiat

__ Fiat: __

Fiat was founded in 1899 and remains the most dominate car company in Italy to this day. Controlling a considerable sum of the Italian economy, Fiat has grown to become an international symbol of Italy along with Agnelli family. Always a leader in innovation and manufacturing the company represents one of the many hard working and prosperous automotive companies of Europe.

__ Beginings: __

Fiat was founded on July 11, 1899 in Italy under the company charter "Società Anonima Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino". This time period of the late 1800's and early 1900's marked the begining of the automative industry in Europe with the creation of several companies such as Volkswagen, Mercedes Benz, and many more. Giovanni Agnelli was one of the investors of this new charter becoming the managing director of the company in 1902. The first factory was built in 1900 in Corso Dante where they manufactured 24 cars. The Fiat logo was also designed at this time. Early on Fiat developed its cars for racing competing in such races as the Car Tour of Italy. In 1908 Fiat moved to the United States and began production there as well.



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Expanding: __

Starting in 1916 Fiat started to expand by building the Lingotto factory, the largest in Europe. It contained five stories and a test track on the roof and became a symbol of the Fiat company. Fiat also spread into different sectors such as the steel industry, railway, electricity, and public transportation. Shortly after expanding the first world war broke out and Fiat focused all of its production power towards supplying the allies. After the war Fiat pulled through due to Giovanni Agnelli, who had recently been appointed as CEO, and his cost-curbing methods. One of his methods was the introduction of mass production. Benefits were also added during this time and workers recieved health care, sports clubs, and specialized schools to name a few.



__ Mussolini Years: __

With Mussolini as the new ruler of Italy he required that Fiat supply only Italy with supplies thus Fiat's international market decreased while domestic products surged. Sectors such as aviation and railway grew along with the production of commercial cars and trucks. The Mirafiori factory was also built during this time which represented the new drive towards mass production and oragnization. With the onset of World War II Fiat's production of cars was halted while the production of commercial vehicles such as planes, trucks, and light tanks. In 1945 Giovanni Agnelli died and the head of the business was passed on to Vittorio Valletta. After the war Fiat recovered fast in part due to the Marshall Plan which provided finacial aid. Fiat also continued research developing marine and aircraft engines.



__Post WWII - Modern Day:__

After World War II Italy experienced renewed growth with Fiat the driving force behind it. Fiat's super factory, the Mirafiori, expanded during this time and started producing new models. Some of the new changes to the Fiats of the 50's and 60's were deisel engines, engines based in the trunk, and a new station wagon design. In 1966 Giovanni Agnelli, the grandso of Giovanni Agnelli the leder, came to power of Fiat as the CEO. Fiat's rate of exports and production gradually increased throughout the 60's and 70's and their presence in Southern Italy also grew. Fiat experienced problems during this time as well due to trade unions causing several riots. Under Agnelli the Fiat company experienced an age of innovation which saw automation take roots with the new Robogate system that was introduced in 1978. Fiat also saw economic gains due to the auto sector being set up as an independent company. As an independent company, the auto sector expanded through the purchases of Ferrari, Maserati, and later Alfa Romeo in 1993. Not only was the auto sector divided into an indepedent company but all differnt sectors were turned into indepedent companies.

__ Giovanni Agnelli: __ Giovanni Agnelli was the CEO of Fiat starting in 1966 till his death in 2003. As Ceo, Agnelli oversaw 4.4 percent of Italy's gross national product, 3.1 percent of the industrial workforce and 16.5 percent of industrial investments in research. Agnelli worked to make alliances and expand Fiat across the globe. He was especially known for his dealings with the communist party. Agnelli was behind every major happening with Fiat during this time period and is accredited with ending the problem with trade unions when he organized the march of workers that broke through and resumed work in the factories. Agnelli also played a major role outside of Fiat as well. Regarded by some as the King of Italy, he was the most recognized Italian during this time. Agnelli formed strong relationships with bankers as well as politicains getting himself appointed on to the International Advisory Committee of the Chase Manhattan Bank of which Rockefeller was chairman. Agnelli was also the owner, for a period of time, of the Juventus, a prestigiuos Footbal club of Italy. There were, however, some allegations pointed at Agnelli and his practices. In 1994 the Fiat company and a high up adminstrator, Cesare Romiti, admitted to bribary. This plea led to the formal investigations of Fiat due to speculation that Agnelli's close friend, Salvo Lima, was affiliated with the Sicilian Mofia. While there were several accusations Agnelli was never charged. Agnelli stayed in a adminstrative position within Fiat until his death in 2003.

__Evolution of Fiat:









Video Gallery:__

Porsche vs. Fiat 500 media type="youtube" key="g1AnjwDDq8Q&hl=en" height="355" width="425"

BMW M5 vs. Fiat Uno __media type="youtube" key="e5HZe-DzyKE&hl=en" height="355" width="425"

Links:__ __ Sources: __
 * [|Want to buy a Fiat?]
 * http://www.fiat.com/cgi-bin/pbrand.dll/FIAT_COM/fbrand/fbrand.jsp?categoryOID=-1073762968
 * http://www.lifeinitaly.com/italian-cars/fiat-history.asp
 * http://www.histomobile.com/dvd_histomobile/histomo/14/history2.asp
 * http://www.fiat.co.nz/default.aspx?MenuId=30
 * http://www.breakeryard.com/images/cars/logos/Fiat/logo.jpg
 * http://www.finn.it/regia/immagini/fiat/fiat_g55-archivio_ami01.jpg
 * http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/pol/Pol-PolskiFiat621L-twoandhalf-tontruck-PiotrSmolinski.jpg
 * http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.htm
 * http://www.autonews.com/files/euroauto/inductees/agnelli.htm