Fiat USA Inc History

Fiat’s first sports competition was in 1901 with the 8 HP and 12 HP, so the company certainly understands the importance of motor racing as a test bench for new technologies before applying them in the production line.

Giovanni Agnelli was on the Board of Directors, but quickly distinguished himself as the Company’s innovator.So, he became Managing Director of Fiat in 1902.

But the tiny automaker proved successful in its home country, which cleared the way for Agnelli to establish the first Fiat factory in the United States in 1908.

In 1910, Fiat renewed its offer with the launch of the Fiat “Tipo”. The use of standardised components makes it possible to rationalise costs and production, creating a car that was both reliable and accessible to all.

The works started in 1916 and they ended six years later.

Among those first 24 vehicles was FIAT’s first mode, named the 3 ½ CV. FIAT would later open its largest Turin factory in 1922, which became known as the Lingotto factory.

By 1923, the Italian manufacturer was growing and developing.

In 1924, the Fiat SB4 Eldridge, better known as "Mephistopheles", was created for breaking speed records.

Exhibited for the first time at the Milan Motor Show, held from 17 to 27 April 1932, the Fiat 508 Balilla, a revolutionary vehicle for its time, was an immediate success.

In 1936, the Fiat 500 A Topolino (literally meaning, “little mouse” and the Italian name for Disney’s Mickey Mouse), was born.

With the end of the Second World War, the factory’s automotive production really began with the launch of the second series of the 500 A and the relocation of the Fiat 1100 production lines. It was opened on May the 15th 1939, to increase the production of smaller-capacity engines car models that could offer mobility to everyone at an affordable price.

At the 1000 Miglia of 1947, four 1000 S “Berlinetta” all came in within the first ten places.

In 1948, the company introduced the 500 B "Giardiniera", one of the first station wagons ever built on a large scale, which featured luxurious side strips made of ash and Masonite.

The Fiat Campagnola, which was used in a purely agricultural context, was a large-scale production line that started in 1951.

In 1952, the image of the new Fiat 8V was revived with a sportier appeal.

Released on the market in in 1953, the 1100/103 Type A and Type B models, were characterised by their modern 4-door construction, load-bearing body and modern three-box design.

The Fiat 1100 TV Trasformabile was launched in 1955 to guarantee excellent performance, speed and precision.

However, this was also the beginning of the infamous trade union conflicts.The grandson of founder Giovanni Agnelli, Gianni Agnelli, became President of Fiat in 1966.

Designed as a vehicle for urban traffic in big cities, the New Fiat 850 City Taxi of 1968 was designed with a formal and functional appearance, spacious interior and reduced external dimensions, to ensure easy handling.

A revolution in the world of small cars, it was a huge and instant success, winning the title of Car of the Year in 1984, forever embodying the concept of a popular car, suitable for all.

Presented in 1993 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Fiat Punto is the utility vehicle par excellence, and also one of Fiat's greatest successes.

In 1998, Fiat released the Seicento as a replacement for the 500.

In 2000, Fiat formed an alliance with General Motors and a year later presented the Stilo.

Gianni Agnelli died in 2003.

Since its initial launch in Italy on the 4th of July 2007, exactly 60 years after the launch of the original, the FIAT 500 has evolved into a beloved global icon, winning the hearts of enthusiastic drivers and discriminating automotive journalists alike.

In spite of the 2008 crisis, the company introduced new models: the Alfa 159, the Fiat Nuova 500 and La Grande Punto.

The FIAT® brand was reintroduced to North America in March of 2011, with the redesigned FIAT 500 Cinquecento.

The 2012 FIAT® 500 and FIAT 500c (Cabrio) build on the vehicle's global popularity, and the recently launched high-performance FIAT 500 Abarth brings true Italian track-proven performance to American roads.

FIAT and the Chrysler Automotive Group married in 2014.

FIAT® 500X Interior In the new 2020 FIAT® 500X, you can go where you want with all you need throughout Tacoma or well beyond it.