Fiat History | Italy Fiat History Submitted by admin on Tue, 03/10/2015 - 00:00 The logo of FIAT, one of Italy's best known companies Fiat has held a leading role in the automotive industry since its inception in 1899, at the dawn of Italian industrialization. From the moment they first appeared on the market, Fiat products, today ranging well beyond automobiles, have been extensively developed and recognized worldwide. Its logo has become a great status symbol due to a history of superior cars, prestige, history and tradition. Fiat 1899 to 1911 The charter of Società Anonima Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino or Fiat, was signed on July 11, 1899. Giovanni Agnelli was on the Board of Directors, but quickly distinguished himself as the Company's innovator. He was determined Fiat would be highly successful and had great strategic vision. Because of these qualities, he became Managing Director of Fiat in 1902.

Fiat's First Factories and Races In 1900, the first Fiat factory opened in corso Dante, in Turin, with a workforce of 150 people. Fiat saw 24 cars roll off the assembly line that first year, including the company's first model, the 3 ½ CV. By 1904, a Fiat logo had been designed as an oval with a blue background. When Italy hosted the first Car Tour of the country, nine Fiats crossed the finish line. By 1902, driver Vincenzo Lancia won the Sassi-Superga uphill race, in the famous Fiat 24 hp model. Giovanni Agnelli, President of Fiat, represented the company on the racetrack, driving an 8 hp Fiat in the second Italian Car Tour and set a record in that race. In 1908, Fiat opened the Fiat Automobile Company in the US. The Company grew in leaps and bounds: at that time, a Fiat was a luxury item in America, costing thousands more than the average domestic car of the period.

Fiat continued to grow at a swift rate and it wasn't long before the company expanded its product line with trucks, trams, marine engines and commercial vehicles. Towards the end of Fiat's early production period, the company was to undergo some changes, and overhaul its production. Fiat began fitting its cars with electrical accumulators, and also patented the cardan transmission. The Lingotto is a cornerstone of Fiat's history (by Alessadro at flickr.com) Under the new leadership of Giacomo Malle Trucco, construction of the famous Lingotto factory began in 1916. It was to be the largest factory in Europe, with a unique five floors assembly line that finished with a futuristic test track constructed on the building's roof. The factory was completed in 1922 and became the symbol of the automotive industry in Italy for decades to come. During WWI Fiat devoted itself to supplying the Allied Forces with weapons, aircraft and vehicles. New Sectors Fiat began to explore new sectors before and after WWI, becoming active in electricity, public transportation lines, railways and the steel industry. A subsidiary was established in Russia and Fiat Lubrificanti was founded.

Crisis and Recovery When the war ended, a time of crisis hit Fiat and the company's factories were briefly held by workers of the Italian Socialist Party in 1921. Fortunately recovery came quickly and, by 1923, Fiat was already showing signs of growth, due in part to some very effective cost-cutting policies. At this time, Giovanni Agnelli was promoted to the position of CEO of Fiat. Several new car models were released, including the four-seat 509. Fiat set a goal to create industrial mass production in order to decrease the cost of their cars. A holding company was established to enable purchasers to pay for Fiats through installments. As the company grew worldwide, Fiat also grew internally between 1912 and 1925. They were quick to recognize their employees' needs and established a health care plan, sports clubs and specialized schools. Fiat Topolino: a piece of Fiat History (by argentum nitricum at flickr.com) When Mussolini's come to power in Italy, Fiat had to abandon many of its plans for an international presence. Fiat would now concentrate on producing the needed equipment for the domestic market.

The company responded with new technology and designs in commercial vehicles, trucks, as well as railways and aircrafts. Two new Fiat cars were introduced between 1934 and 1936. The Topolino was the smallest utilitarian car in the world, and continued to be produced until 1955. The Tariffa Minima, better known as the Balilla, was very popular because of excellent gas mileage. Fiat Balilla: still beautiful, almost 100 years later (by Werner Wittersheim at flickr.com) The Mirafiori Plant The Mirafiori Plant was a brand new factory that introduced advanced principals for industrial organization in 1937. The factory's focus was directed toward mass production and greatly increased Fiat's output capacity. Fiat 1939 to 1964 When WWII broke out, the production of cars nearly ceased, as Fiat manufactured commercial and military vehicles, aircraft, weapons and machinery for the war effort. By the end of the war, Giovanni Agnelli, the President of Fiat, died in 1945. Vittorio Valletta was to lead the company in post-war Italy.

During WWII, many of Fiat's factories were destroyed, but by 1948 reconstruction had begun. Fiat's profits increased considerably and more employees were hired to fulfill the company's commitment to innovation and research after the war. b(255, 255, 255);"> Fiat 500, one of the most popular models in Fiat history (by eek the cat at flickr.com) Two new cars, the 500 and 1400 were introduced and mass production included the installation of heating and ventilation systems for the first time. Fiat continued its research on aircraft and marine engines and in 1951, the G830 jet aircraft was born: the first for Italy. The 1400 diesel was introduced in 1953. By 1958, Fiat had grown in the production of both cars and farm machinery and established plants abroad while doubling the Mirafiori complex. Italy was in the middle of an economic boom and its automobile sector was the driving force behind it, fueled by Fiat innovation.

New Fiat Models The Fiat 600 was introduced in 1955 and was a big utilitarian automobile with the engine mounted in the rear. The New 500 was released in 1957 and by 1960, the Giardinetta version was produced - a precursor of the Station Wagon. This was also the time when well-known models like the Fiat 1300, 1500 and 1800 were released. A Fiat 127 commercial from 1976 (by John Lloyd, at flickr.com) Fiat continued to experience growth of production into the mid 1960s, in both exports and domestic sales. Car ownership in Italy changed from one car for every 96 Italians to one in 28. Fiat was poised to take advantage of the increase and established several factories in southern Italy. However, this was also the beginning of the infamous trade union conflicts and so, by 1969, millions of man hours were lost to strikes all over Italy. Changing Fiat Presidency and New Models The grandson of founder Giovanni Agnelli, Gianni Agnelli, became President of Fiat in 1966.

Like his grandfather, he ensured the company followed a trend of innovation with increased automation in the production process. The first new Fiat to be released during these years was the 850 , followed in 1971 by the 127 , which was a great success. The 127 was the first Fiat to have front wheel drive and was named Car of the Year 1971. Fiat 1978 to 1990 To keep Fiat on the path to automation of production, Robogate, a flexible robotic system for assembling bodywork was introduced to factories in 1978. Fiat was also becoming an economic, as well as industrial powerhouse, as it began to acquire other well-known Italian brands such as Lancia, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo and Maserati: Fiat became Fiat Auto S.p.A. Between 1978 and 1990 Fiat also setup numerous operations as independent companies. These included Fiat Avio, Fiat Engineering, Comau, Fiat Ferraviaria, Magneti Marelli and Teksid.

New Models The no-frills, affordable Fiat Panda hatchback was styled by Giugiaro for the company in 1980, which was followed up with the Uno, in 1982. The Uno replaced the 127 and became the emblem of Fiat Auto's renewal and featured radical changes in its electronics and choice of the material used to build it. Fiat's 1000 Fire engine was also introduced at this time. In 1989, the Tipo was released as a small family hatchback. It had cutting edge technical solutions and marked a conquest for Fiat technology. It was very popular on the international market and was named 1989 Car of the Year. Fiat Tipo, 1990 (by Niels de Wit, at flickr.com) Fiat 1991 to 2003 In 1990, the Fiat Tempra made its debut into the family car market. One year later, the latest version of the 500 or Cinquecento was released.

The Fiat Punto and the Fiat Coupé rolled off the assembly line during this time, with the supermini Punto being named Car of the Year in 1995. Fiat made its debut into SUVs in 1994, with the introduction of the Fiat Ulysse. In 1995, the Bravo , Brava and the Barchetta were released with the Bravo/Brava bringing Fiat yet another European Car of the Year award for 1996. Administration Changes 1996 saw changes at the top of Fiat as Cesare Romiti took over as CEO, making Gianni Agnelli Honorary President of Fiat Group. By 1997, Fiat had outgrown its old corporate headquarters on Turin's Corso Marconi and moved to the Palazzina Fiat at the Lingotto. By this time, The Palazzina Fiat of Lingotto had been transformed from the famous factory into Europe's largest convention and trade show complex. Crisis During the 1990s, Fiat was once again facing a crisis in the form of market competition.

In order to cope, the company expanded further into the international market, making Fiat one of the most recognized worldwide producers of affordable vehicles. It has since successfully achieved this global presence with more than 60% of sales outside of Italy. To commemorate the 100 Year Anniversary of Fiat, the company logo was revised from the oval to a round version. In 1998, Fiat released the Seicento as a replacement for the 500. The car became known as a great compact car, perfect for city driving. The innovative design of the Multipla was once featured in a modern art exhibit at New York City's MOMA. This compact MPV was introduced the same year as the Seicento. A New Century of Fiat In 2000, Fiat Doblò was introduced at the Paris Motor Show as both an informal car and a commercial vehicle. It was named 2006 International Van of the Year. The Fiat Stilo was released in 2001 to replace the Bravo/Brava. The Stilo had numerous options and highly sophisticated technology, as well as a new design.

2002 saw the New Fiat Ulysse, the Fiat Multipla and the Fiat Stilo MW restyled. Although 2003 saw the death of Gianni Agnelli after nearly 50 years of service, the year also saw the new Punto launched with an innovative 1.3 Multijet 16v. Later that fall, the new Panda was released and was almost immediately named Car of the Year for 2004. Fiat 2004 to Today In January 2004, the Fiat Idea made its debut: it was the first full-sized MPV built by Fiat and the design was truly unique. The Idea was made taller to improve visibility and its interior was enhanced for flexibility, including sliding rear seats. 2007 saw the Fiat 500 have stiffer suspension, wider fenders and a 150 hp turbo 4-cylinder engine that runs from zero to 60 in eight seconds. The Fiat Sedici is a smart looking mini SUV at home in the city or country introduced in 2006.

Fiat Idea (by RL GNZLZ at flickr.com) Fiat continues on the path of innovation and superior technology into the 21st century with a line of new engines and new models. Men of the reform have been Sergio Marchionne and Luca Cordero di Montezemolo , who have also lead Fiat into the acquisition of Chrysler in 2009. Thanks to the acquisition and Marchionne's will, Fiat enters again the north American market, after 10 years of absence. In spite of the crisis, Fiat introduced new models: the Alfa 159, the Fiat Nuova 500 and La Grande Punto, which was the most popular car in Italy in 2006. In 2010, John Ellkan is nominated president of Fiat and a 5 year plan for the development of the company is created: between 2010 and 2014, Fiat has restructered its sectors' organization through the creation of Fiat Industrial, where all activities related to the production of industrial machineries have converged. Fiat Industrial passed under the presidence of Marchionne, whereas Fiat S.p.a.

(which regulates the production of cars, parts, systems production) and the editorial sector have remained under the presidency of Elkann. Marchionne remains Fiat S.p.a's CEO. How's the word "fiat" related to the origin of the universe? | Dictionary.com Blog August 13, 2013 by: Dictionary.com 66 Comments The origin of the word fiat in English is connected to the origin of the world itself. Taken from the Latin meaning “let it be done,” this word appears in the Latin translation of Genesis, the first book of the bible, when God proclaimed “let there be light” (fiat lux). As a result, many early uses of fiat were biblical allusions, as in John Donne’s 1597 poem The Storm. In it he writes that there will be darkness unless “God say/Another Fiat.” It was not until the 1630s that English speakers started using fiat to describe an “authoritative decree,” often issued by royalty or clergy—two groups that depended on divine right for their power. By the turn of the 19th century, English speakers applied fiat’s meaning to less-than-Godly legal manners.

The phrase “fiat in bankruptcy” gained popularity at this time. Later that century, the concept of “fiat money,” or currency that has no intrinsic value, but that the government gives a value to by declaring it legal tender, took its place in English-speaking minds. The name of Fiat, the Italian car company, is an acronym, not only a nod to this powerful word. Its name originally stood for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino, meaning loosely “Italian automobile factory of Turin,” the region in which the country was founded. According to the Google Ngram Viewer , the word “fiat” peaked in usage in the 1840s, possibly due to the political upheaval of the revolutions of 1848. Popular References Fiat Lux: a Latin phrase which literally translates “let there be light” from Genesis 1:3. Fiat: an Italian auto manufacturer, founded in 1899. Fiat money: money that has value because the government says it has value.

Relevant Quotations “Ignoring an official fiat against the popular Rebel song ‘The Bonnie Blue Flag,’ Booth began to sing it in full voice one evening while walking down the street with several companions.” Car History 4U - History of Motor Car / Automobile Manufacturers History of Motor Car / Automobile Manufacturers | Print | 7.1 Early Steam Powered Car Manufacturers 1851 - United States: The American Steam Carriage Co. was founded; possibly the first steam driven carriage manufacturer in the USA. 1897 to 1924 - United States: The “Stanley Steamer” was manufactured by Francis and Freeland Stanley. It was the best selling steam car ever produced. In 1902 Francis and Freeland established the Stanley Motor Carriage Company, selling their interests to Prescott Warren in 1917. 1899 to about 1904 - United States: The Locomobile Company manufactured several thousand steam powered “Runabout” models. 7.2 Early Electric Powered Car Manufacturers 1894 - United States: America's first car factory was opened by Henry G. Morris and Pedro Salom. It started by building “Electrobat” electric cars.

1896 - United States: The Woods Motor Vehicle Company started to manufacture electric powered cars. 1898 - Spain: Emilio de la Cuadra started to produce electric powered cars in Barcelona under the name “La Cuadra”. 1900 to 1903 - Canada: Canadian Motors Limited produced a small two-seater electric powered car called the "Motette". 1901 - France: The French car manufacturer De Dion-Bouton produced a small number of electric cars. 1902 - United States: Henry and Clem Studebaker produced their first electric powered car. Note: By 1908-1909 they had switched to fitting internal combustion engines to their vehicles. 7.3 Early Petrol Powered Car Manufacturers 1888 - Germany: Benz went into production and built about twenty-five vehicles up to 1892. In 1894 he began mass production of the “Viktoria” and “Velo” cars. By 1895 his company, Benz & Cie., which he founded in 1871, had sold 1,132 vehicles.

Velo - 1894 Velo presentation in London - 1898 1890 - Germany: Gottlieb Daimler formed “Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft” (Daimler Motors Company), with the original purpose of building engines. Daimler sold his first car in 1892 and by 1895 some 30 vehicles had been produced. During the 1890s he sold licenses for design, use of the Daimler name and patents in a number of countries. To overcome certain legal problems selling Daimler cars in France, Emil Jellinek, a Daimler distributer, offered to place a large order if Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft made a car for him bearing his daughter's name “Mercedes”. These cars proved enormously popular and in 1902 Daimler (Germany), to avoid any further confusion and licensing troubles, adopted the name Mercedes for their cars. In 1926 Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft merged with Karl Benz’s “Benz & Cie” to form the Daimler-Benz car company which built Mercedes-Benz cars (and trucks).

1890 - France: The French “Panhard et Levassor” car manufacturing company, which was founded the previous year, produced their first car which was fitted with a Daimler engine. The four-wheeled “Systeme” Panhard model they produced in 1895 was possibly the first car fitted with a sliding gear transmission. It was also the first car with a front-mounted engine and a rear-wheel drive – an installation that became known as the “FR Layout”. 1890 - France: Armand Peugeot started manufacturing four-wheeled cars that were powered by a Daimler petrol fuelled engine, producing 4 cars in that year. In 1891 he produced sixty-five Type 3 & 4 models. The first Peugeot designed engine was produced in 1896. The 8 hp (6 kW) engine was fitted at the rear of the 1897 Type 15 model. In the 1890s Peugeot produced 24 different models; Types 2 to 29 (Types 13, 20, 22, & 23 were not cars).

Note: In 1889 one Serpollet-Peugeot car was made, which probably explains why the first Peugeot Type was #2. Annual production volume varied from three Type 10 (1894), two Type 12 (1895) and two Type 25 (1898) to 419 Type 26 (1899 to 1902) and several hundred Type 15 4-seater Phaeton models (1897 to 1901). Around this time Peugeot became the first manufacturer to fit (solid) rubber tires to a petrol powered car. What model, what year? The first Peugeot car to be fitted with a steering wheel was the 1901 Type 36 model. In 1902 the company moved the engine to the front of the Type 48 model. By 1903 half of all the cars built in France were produced by Armand Peugeot’s “S.S. des Automobiles Peugeot” company.

1893 - Britain: The UK patent rights to the Gottlieb Daimler's engine were purchased by Frederick Simms, who formed a new company, the "Daimler Motor Syndicate". In 1896 Simms and Harry Lawson moved into car production under the name "Daimler Motor Company". The licence granted to the Daimler Motor Company included the right to use the Daimler name in Great Britain. Daimler became the official mode of transportation of British royalty in 1898. In 1908 the company acquired a licence to build and fit engines designed by J H Knight into its motor cars. 1895 - Britain: Frederick, Frank and George Lanchester formed the “Lanchester Motor Company”. In the same year the company built the first British four-wheeled motor car powered by a petrol fuelled internal combustion engine. 1896 – United States: The Duryea Motor Wagon Company produced the United States first production car. All 13 cars produced by the company were produced in 1896. In about 1898 the brothers sold the original company.

Frank went on to produce the Stevens-Duryea car and Charles produced Duryea vehicles up to 1917. 1896 to about 1899 - France: Leon Bollee sold several hundred of his three-wheeled “Voiturette” cars. In 1899 he introduced a four-wheeled car that had independent suspension. By 1911 he was making 600 cars a year. 1897 - Austria: A company called Nesselsdorfer Wagenbau-Fabriksgesellschaft produced a car called the the Präsident. The company later became better known as Tatra. The design was based on a Benz car and about twelve were made. In 1900 the company produced the 2,714 cc Type A model, a car with a top speed of 40 kph (25 mph). A total of 22 were made. The Type A was followed by the Type B in 1902 and the 3,308 cc Type S in about 1905.

Note: In 1918, when the Austrian borders were redrawn after World War 1, the company found itself located in Czechoslovakia. 1897 – United States: The Olds Motor Vehicle Company was formed. In 1899 the name was changed to the Olds Motor Works and shortly afterwards, in about 1901, Olds started the world’s first car production line. From 1901 to 1905 over 18,500 “Curved Dash” Oldsmobiles were produced: a car with a 1,565 cc engine and a top speed of 32 kph (20 mph). Photo copyright : 1898 - Japan: A Panhard-Levassor is thought to have been the first car to be introduced into Japan. 1898 – Holland: Jacobus and Hendrik-Jan Spijker started building carriages in 1886 and in late 1898 produced a Benz car under licence called “Spijker-Benz. By 1900 they had produced two two-cylinder models, of 3 and 5 hp.

In 1903 the company introduced their first four and six-cylinder models, including the 8,821 cc 60/80 hp model. The 60/80 hp model was the first car in the world fitted with a 6-cylinder engine and permanent all-wheel drive. Note: This car can be seen at the Nationaal Automobiel Museum. See Car Museums Section ( Holland ) . Spyker cars, with their characteristic circular radiators, became known as “the Rolls Royce of the continent”. In 1903 the company changed its name from Spijker to Spyker. In 1907 a four-cylinder, 2,544 cc Spyker 14/18 hp tourer model came second of only 3 cars to finish in the demanding 10,000 mile (16,000 km) Peking to Paris race. See Part 2, The Last 100 Years, Section 8.8.1 (Spyker) for further information.

1898 - France: The Renault Type A Voiturette (“Little Car”) was launched on Louis Renault’s 21st birthday and remained in production until 1903. Is that 1903 date true? The early Type A’s had a 1 litre, 1 hp engine and a top speed of 35 kph (22 mph). Later Type A’s were fitted with a 270 cc De Dion, 1.75 hp engine and had a top speed of 45 kph (28 mph). In 1899 the Renault brothers, Louis, Marcel and Fernand, along with Thomas Evert, formed the “Société Renault Frères”. Between 1899 and 1903 seven more Voiturette models were produced; Types B, C, D, E, G, H & J. The 450 cc, 3 hp Type B (1899) had two doors and a roof. Was it the world’s first sedan car? The Type C (1900) was Renault’s first 4-seater car. The very first Renault engine was built in 1902.

It was a 3,750 cc 4-cylinder engine of 20-30 hp and was fitted to the Type H/J models. In 1903 and 1904 some 7 new models were introduced: Types L, M, N, R, S, T and U. See Part 2, The Last 100 Years, Section 8.5.4. Late 1890s - Germany: By the end of the 19th century Benz & Cie. was the world's largest car manufacturer. 1900 - Italy: Fiat opened their first factory in Turin and employed 150 people. In that first year they produced 24 cars. By 1910 Fiat was the largest car company in Italy. 1900 - Italy: Cesare Isotta and Oreste Fraschini founded a company called “Società Milanese Automobili Isotta, Fraschini & C.” The first car “Isotta-Fraschini” built was fitted with a four-cylinder, 24 hp petrol powered engine.

The company initially started out producing racing cars, fitting a 100 hp engine to one of its cars in 1905. In the 1920s “Isotta-Fraschini” deluxe limousines were being purchased by the rich and famous. Tipo 8 Sala Phaeton - circa 1920 1900 - Britain: The Lanchester Motor Company started production. In 1930 the company was acquired by the British Daimler Motor Company. 1900 - France: The French car manufacturer De Dion-Bouton was the largest automobile manufacturer in the world, manufacturing 400 cars and 3,200 engines that year. In the same year the company opened a factory in America. 1901 - Austria: Johann Puch started to produce car engines, followed by cars in 1904. In 1906 he produced a two-cylinder “Puch Voiturette”. In 1909 one of his cars achieved a world speed record of 130 kph (82 mph).

1903 - Holland: The Eysink cars were produced from 1903 to 1919. The Eysink brothers built their first car in 1897, making about 10 cars prior to actually going into production. Just over 300 cars were manufactured, including 10/12 hp, 16/20 hp, 20/30 hp and the 30/40 hp models. A model called the “Bebe” was also produced from 1912 to 1919. Other early Dutch cars include the “Aarts” (1899), which was then advertised as “Neerlandia, the first Dutch Car”, the “Van Gink“ (1899 to about 1903), the “Altena” (1900-06) of which 40-50 were produced, and the “Bij 't Vuur” (1901-06). 1903 - United States: Henry Ford formed the Ford Motor Company .

In 1908 he started production of the famous “Model T” (the “Tin Lizzie”). Model T - 1923 For Information on the history of the Model T Ford, see Part 2, The Last 100 Years, Section 9.3. 1903 to 1905 - United States: Oldsmobile was the largest motor car manufacturer in the world. 1904: The USA started to produce more cars than France. © copyright - form and function The stories behind car brand names — David Airey · 11 comments Etymology is the study of the history of words. There’s a collection of company name etymologies on Wikipedia. Here are a few choice picks from the automotive industry. Alfa Romeo – the company was originally known as ALFA, an acronym for Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili. When Nicola Romeo bought ALFA in 1915, his surname was appended. (photo credit) Aston Martin – from the “Aston Hill” races (near Aston Clinton) where the company was founded, and the surname of Lionel Martin, the company’s founder.

(photo credit: carpictures1.com) Audi – Latin translation of the German name “Horch.” The founder August Horch left the company after five years, but still wanted to manufacture cars. Since the original “Horch” company was still there, he called his new company Audi, the Latin form of his last name. In English it is “hark.” (photo credit) BMW – Bayerische Motoren Werke (Bavarian Motor Works). (photo credit) Cadillac – named after the 18th century French explorer Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac, founder of Detroit, Michigan. Cadillac is a small town in the South of France. The company, founded in 1902, was purchased by General Motors in 1909 and survives to this day as a GM brand. (photo credit) Chevrolet – named after company co-founder Louis Chevrolet, a Swiss-born auto racer. The company was merged into General Motors in 1917 and survives only as a brand name. (photo credit) Chrysler – named after the company founder, Walter P. Chrysler.

(photo credit) Citroën – named after André-Gustave Citroën (1878–1935), a French entrepreneur of Dutch descent. He was the fifth and last child of the Dutch Jewish diamond merchant Levie Citroën and Mazra Kleinmann (of Warsaw, Poland). (photo credit) Daewoo – company founder Kim Woo Chong called it Daewoo which means “great house” or “great universe” in Korean. (photo credit) Datsun – first called DAT, from the initials of its financiers Den, Aoyama and Takeuchi. Soon changed to DATSON to imply a smaller version of their original car, then (as SON can mean “loss” in Japanese) again to DATSUN when they were acquired by Nissan. (photo credit) Ferrari – from the name of its founder, Enzo Ferrari. (photo credit) Fiat – acronym of Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino (Italian Automobile Factory of Turin). (photo credit) Ford Motor Company – named after its founder, Henry Ford, who introduced automobile mass production in 1914. (photo credit) Honda – from the name of its founder, Soichiro Honda.

(photo credit) Hyundai – connotes the sense of “the present age” or “modernity” in Korean. (photo credit) Mercedes – from the first name of the daughter of Emil Jellinek, who distributed cars of the early Daimler company around 1900. (photo credit) Nissan – the company was earlier known by the name Nippon Sangyo which means “Japan Industries.” (photo credit) Porsche – car company named after founder Ferdinand Porsche, an Austrian automotive engineer. The family name may have originated in the Czech name “Boreš” (boresh). (photo credit) Proton – Malaysian car manufacturer, where the name is derived from Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional. (photo credit) Renault – named after the founder Louis Renault. (photo credit) Rolls-Royce – name used by Rolls-Royce plc and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, among others. In 1884 Frederick Henry Royce started an electrical and mechanical business, making his first car, a Royce, in 1904. He was introduced to Charles Stewart Rolls on 4 May that year.

The pair entered into a partnership in which Royce would manufacture cars to be sold exclusively by Rolls, and the cars would be called Rolls-Royce. (photo credit) Saab – founded in 1937 in Sweden as Svenska Aeroplan aktiebolaget (Swedish Aeroplane Company); the last word is typically abbreviated as AB, hence Saab and Saab Automobile AB. (photo credit) SEAT – an acronym from Sociedad Española de Automóviles de Turismo (Spanish Corporation of Touring Cars). (photo credit) Subaru – from the Japanese name for the constellation known to Westerners as Pleiades or the Seven Sisters. Subaru’s parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries, was formed from a merger of six companies, and the constellation is featured on the company’s logo. (photo credit) Toyota – from the name of the founder, Sakichi Toyoda. Initially called Toyeda, it was changed after a contest for a better-sounding name. The new name was written in katakana with eight strokes, a number that is considered lucky in Japan. (photo credit) Volkswagen – from the German for people’s car.

Ferdinand Porsche wanted to produce a car that was affordable for the masses – the Kraft-durch-Freude-Wagen (or “Strength-Through-Joy car,” from a Nazi social organization) later became known, in English, as the Beetle. (photo credit) Volvo – which means “I roll” in Latin, from the infinitive form “volvere.” It was originally a name for a ball bearing being developed by SKF. (photo credit) You can read a ton more company name etymologies on Wikipedia. Additionally, you might find these Logo Design Love blog posts of interest: I had absolutely no idea where any of these names came from — some of the logos actually make sense now. Great collection of photos as well. Urban Dictionary: fiat fiat FIAT is Italy's largest automobile manufacturer. The acronym stands for "Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino" which means in English "Italian Car Manufacturer of Torino", Torino/Turin being the Italian city of headquarters. Fiat earned a poor quality reputation in the 1970s due mostly to build quality problems resulting from Italian labor union disputes as well as cheap Russian steel used at the time which rusted easily.

Modern Fiats are actually pretty respectable thanks to modernization of materials and manufacturing processes, unfortunately most Americans still think of the old phrase "Fix It Again Tony" because Fiat has not sold cars in North America since 1982 and therefore that is the last Fiat anyone there has usually seen. Even the older Fiats are not as bad as their reputation in many cases, they have often earned undue criticism thanks to owners and mechanics who in the 70s had little experience working on "strange little foreen cars" as all they had ever touched were big American engines. As a result of poor maintenance Fiat's reputation was worsened even further. Fiat makes an array of fun, interesting and innovative cars under the brands FIAT, LANCIA, ALFA ROMEO and MASERATI. Fiat also owns controlling interest in Ferrari. "FIAT = FUN, ITALIAN and TOPLESS" - A convertible Fiat owner by anon-e-mouse April 11, 2005 Fiat Italian automotive manufacturer from Turin. Now stands alone in the Italian automotive industry, helping companies like Alfa Romeo and Lancia keep going by buying them up when on the brink of collapsing, forming what is now called the Fiat Group.

Fiat's car have traditionally had a reputation for being problematic, especially electricals. This in part is because as a nation, Italy was very poor after World War 2, and the public couldn't afford high quality cars, so quality control was almost non-existant. The Panda in the 80s was a very popular little runaround, and was the real definition of a city car with its ultra low running costs. After many years of constant jokes against the all round quality, as of mid 2000's, motoring experts are starting to warm more towards Fiat's cars. Now Fiat hopes to convince the public. Driving a 1970's Fiat 128 is a fun game, because you cannot possibly predict what will go wrong next. The wipers could pack up, the engine could die or a panel might come loose. Car History 4U - History of Fiat Motor Cars / Automobiles History of Fiat Motor Cars / Automobiles | Print | 8.10.4. Fiat The Fiat Company was founded in 1899 and by 1910 it was the largest car company in Italy.

Between 1899 and the start of World War 2 in 1939 the company produced about 45 different models, mostly cars. The first car produced after the end of World War 2 was the Fiat 500 'Topolino' in 1946, a car that had been designed in 1936 and first produced in 1937. The car remained in production until 1955. The Fiat 600 was produced from 1955 to 1969, with over 2.5 million being made. The Nuova 500 was another popular car first produced in the 1950s, with over 3.4 million made between 1957 and 1975. Between 1946 and 1990 Fiat produced nearly 130 new vehicles. In 1966 Fiat started production of the 124 model, producing nearly 2 million by the time production ceased in 1974.

The 125 model was introduced in 1967 and by 1972 just over 3.6 million had been made. Fiat cars have been produced in various countries, some in joint venture production, in Argentina, Brazil, China, Egypt, France, India, Poland, South Africa and Turkey, New models produced since 2000 include the Doblo, Stilo, Idea, Punto, Croma, Sedici and Linea. Second generation Ulysee, Panda and Bravo models have also been produced. Fiat Headed Back To U.S. After 27 Years - Autoblog Autoblog Fiat Headed Back To U.S. After 27 Years The 500 Is Coming, But Will Americans Find It Fashionable? David Kiley When Village Motors in Los Angeles opens the first "Fiat Studio" this month, it will be the first of 130 such showrooms that will open by the end of the year to sell the Fiat 500. This small, four-passenger hatchback is part of Fiat's plan to combine itself with Chrysler, and re-enter the U.S. market.

The Italian automaker controls Chrysler through its 20% stake, and has set its sights on becoming a bigger global automotive player. Many are bullish on the return on Fiat to the U.S. after a 27-year absence, this despite the recent closure of such automotive brands as Mercury, Pontiac, Saturn and Hummer. AutoNation, the biggest auto retailer in the world, will be opening seven of the Fiat dealerships. "It's a tough market they're entering, but the product is very competitive and that's a good start," says Rebecca Lindland, auto industry analyst with IHS Global Insight. Fashion or Flop? Indeed, the 500, a diminutive model that will compete with the Mini Cooper, as well as cheaper compact models like the Toyota Yaris and Hyundai Accent, should appeal especially to car buyers who lean toward making buying decisions based on design and fashion. The 500 is more cute than anything else, with plastic body-color appliques on the dashboard to give the interior a fun atmosphere. The 500 conjures up images of '60s era cars like the original Fiat 500 or Volkswagen Beetle, which had metal dashboards the same color as the exterior.

Its 1.4-liter engine performs better mated to a manual transmission, but the automatic is not a dog by any means. Offering 30 mpg city/38 mpg on the highway, its fuel economy numbers are a bit low for a car this small, but they're not uncompetitive. The 500 has a distinct styling advantage over the Yaris, the current Accent (though a new design is coming this summer), the Nissan Versa and Kia Rio. But there is a price premium for it, with stickers ranging from $15,500 for the entry level "Pop" model with a manual transmission, to $17,500 for the automatic "Lounge." In between, there is a "Sport" edition, also with a manual. A Yaris, by comparison, starts at less than $13,000. There are ten exterior and ten interior colors to choose from, meaning buyers will be able to spec out their 500 to look unlike their neighbor's. Later this year, the company will add a Cabrio convertible, as well as an electric model.

Next year, the Fiat Studios will get a turbocharged Abarth version, and potentially a micro-van based on the same platform. Pound-for-pound and dollar-for-dollar, straight value shoppers might be hard pressed to choose a Fiat 500. But there is an attraction of a European brand the others don't have. And of course, Fiat it is the "new new thing." The Mexican plant where the 500 is built is set up to produce 130,000 cars annually, but it's anyone's guess how many Fiat will sell in the U.S. That capacity number also includes Central and South America, where Fiat has been a mainstay and doesn't have brand awareness problems. Small cars sell better in those markets than in the U.S., meaning if Fiat sells 30,000 500's in 2012 after all its dealerships are open, it would be a good showing. The company is planning a no-haggle strategy for buyers.

Putting Bad Quality in the Rearview Mirror "As long as they have the quality high and competitive so as to avoid bad publicity, they will do well if they play up the 'La Dolce Vita" personality of Fiat and the Italian roots," says Charlie Hughes, industry consultant at Brand Rules, and the former marketing chief of Fiat when it was operating in the U.S. in the late 1970s. Hughes says the dark days of terrible Fiat quality during the Carter administration will only be relevant to a small number of buyers with long memories. One of them is Thomas Pellechia of Hammondsport, NY, an author. Pellechia said he lusted for a Fiat X1/9 in 1976, paying $4,000 for a chocolate brown two-seater with removable hard top. "Driving the X1/9 was exactly what I had expected it to be -- heaven," he said. "It not only looked intriguing and pretty, it felt right and comfortable. Acceleration was exhilarating, shifting was effortless, and being seen in this car was essential." Have you considered purchasing a Fiat 500? Yes. I love them! No. Can't see myself driving one.

1 (50.0%) The exhilaration quickly gave way to misery. The car would start up fine, but after a short while would buck and overheat, according to Pellechia, who said that several trips to the dealer brought no relief. After a terrifying break-down in the Holland Tunnel between New Jersey and Manhattan, and with fewer than 2,000 miles on the odometer, Pellechia says he unloaded it for $1,500 to a used car dealer. While that was relatively low mileage, Pellechia says the warranty had expired at just 1,000 miles. His experience wasn't unique. Hughes says of 100,000 Fiats sold in 1975, the company had huge warranty claims on 99,000. "It was bad, real bad," he said of the brand's quality. Today Fiat still ranks below average in J.D. Power's Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction Study in Europe. But the 500 stands out as an exception, ranking as the top city car, for example, in France.

"There is no question that the days of Fiat standing for 'Fix It Again Tony' are well behind them," says former GM vice chairman Bob Lutz, who was perusing the car at the recent North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Even Pellechia is willing to give Fiat another chance today. "My X1/9 experience removed the name Fiat from any further new or used car consideration," he said, "but this was so long ago that I have to assume that the company has figured out by now how to keep a car running." Italian-American Wedding Soup The relaunch of Fiat here is tied up with the company's venture to expand its alliance with Chrysler, which the Italian automaker took control of in 2009 when Chrysler went through bankruptcy. The White House Auto Industry Task Force deemed Fiat's control, and its 20-percent ownership, as the best option for Chrysler's salvation. The two companies, led by CEO Sergio Marchionne, are now developing Chryslers, Fiats, Alfa Romeos and Lancias using shared engineering platforms and engines.

A series of Chryslers, for example, will be engineered off a modified vehicle platform that currently serves as the underpinnings of Fiat's Alfa-Romeo Giulietta. The plan also calls for the introduction of Alfa-Romeo vehicles to the new Fiat dealerships in the U.S. Dealers are expected to get the first of the U.S.-bound Alfas starting next year: A mid-sized Giulia, the MiTo compact hatchback and iconic Spyder roadster. Fiat has taken over the distribution of Jeep in Europe, selling the off-roaders at Fiat stores, and a new Jeep is being developed off a Fiat platform. Fiat is also taking the new Chrysler 300 and Dodge Journey and will sell those vehicles in Europe as Lancias, though with interiors that better match Italian tastes, more sumptuous and leather-bound. "These cars are beautifully done, and we believe there is a market in Europe for them," says Chrysler marketing chief Olivier Francois, who is also CEO of the Chrysler brand in North America and CEO of Lancia. "There is very little financial risk to try even if it doesn't work." It is a strategy that makes sense on paper, but is fraught with bad possibilities.

Selling the same vehicles under different brands, known as badge engineering, has historically been a messy business for GM, Volkswagen and Ford, even when they're sold on different continents. "Badge engineering is an idea that accountants dream up because it saves money, but it almost always cheapens the brands," says Hughes. Fiat had offers to sell Alfa, which has been a money-loser for Fiat for years, to Volkswagen last year, but kept it. Growing sales in the U.S. would be a way to restore black ink to the venerable Italian brand, especially if the company eventually builds in Alfas in North American plants alongside Chryslers. Already, Fiat plans to build a Maserati SUV with a Ferrari engine in a Detroit plant where Jeep Grand Cherokees are manufactured. Subtle Marketing Super Bowl viewers won't be seeing an ad for the 500 this month. In fact, TV ads will be scarce-to-nonexistent this year. Fiat USA CEO Laura Soave says that social and digital media will carry the messages. "We are going to build up this business and brand from the bottom up through social media and events," says Soave.

"The people we are targeting tend to live the kinds of lives where they aren't watching a lot of TV anyway." At the South By Southwest music conference, for example, Fiat will have a display and host events. Held in March in Austin, Texas, it drew over 13,000 business attendees and 100,000 music fans last year. "These kind of events allow us to touch a lot of people and generate a lot of social media currency," says Soave. Credibility is probably the number-one obstacle for Fiat in the U.S. People who buy small cars below $18,000 tend to be highly rational buyers, placing reliability and functionality above the whimsy of owning an Italian car. Only time can prove out reliability, but Fiat's prospects for rebuilding its reputation for even old X1/9 buyers looks very promising. Create alerts for any tag below Subscribe

Question: Where did the car manufacturer Fiat originate?
Answer: Italy