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'''Fiat S.p.A.''', an [[acronym]] for ''Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino'' (Italian Automobile Factory of [[Turin]]), is an [[Italy|Italian]] [[automaker|automobile manufacturer]], [[manufacturer|engine manufacturer]], [[financial]] and [[industry|industrial]] group based in [[Turin]] in the [[Piedmont]] region. Fiat was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including [[Giovanni Agnelli]]. Fiat has also manufactured [[railroad]] vehicles, [[tanks]] and [[aircraft]]. As of 2009, Fiat is the world's sixth largest carmaker as well as Italy's largest carmaker.

Fiat-based cars are constructed all around the world, with the largest number produced outside Italy being built in [[Brazil]], where they are best-sellers. It also has factories in [[Argentina]] and [[Poland]]. Fiat has a long history of licensing its products to other countries. [[Joint venture]] operations are found in [[Italy]], [[France]], [[Turkey]], [[India]], [[Pakistan]], [[China]], [[Serbia]] and [[Russia]].

Agnelli's grandson [[Gianni Agnelli]] was Fiat chairman from 1966 until 1996, and honorary chairman from then until his death on 24 January 2003, while Cesare Romiti served as chairman. After their removal, [[Paolo Fresco]] served as chairman and [[Paolo Cantarella]] as CEO. [[Umberto Agnelli]] then took over as chairman from 2002 to 2004. After Umberto Agnelli's death on 28 May 2004, [[Luca Cordero di Montezemolo]] was named chairman, but Agnelli heir [[John Elkann]] became vice chairman at age 28 and other family members are on the board. At this point, [[CEO]] [[Giuseppe Morchio]] immediately offered his resignation. [[Sergio Marchionne]] was named to replace him on 1 June 2004.

n September 2010, shareholders approved a plan to split Fiat's industrial businesses from the group. Truck manufacturer [[Iveco]], farm gear maker [[CNH Global]] NV and the industrial part of [[Fiat Powertrain Technologies]] were [[demerger|demerged]] into a new entity, [[Fiat Industrial]], at the beginning of 2011. Fiat Industrial has a separate listing on the Milan stock exchange beginning January 3, 2011.


==History and activities==

{| style=float:right
|[[image:Fiat topolino (palma).jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[Fiat Topolino]]]]
|-
|[[image:Fiat 500.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[Fiat 500]]]]
|-
|[[image:Fiat 126.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[Fiat 126]]]]
|-
|[[image:Fiatseicento.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[Fiat Seicento]]]]
|-
|[[Image:FiatYump1_SM.jpg |right|thumb|200px|[[Fiat Uno]] rally car ]]
|}
The group's activities were initially focused on the industrial production of cars, industrial and agricultural vehicles. Over time it has diversified into many other fields, and the group now has activities in a wide range of sectors in industry and financial services.  It is Italy's largest industrial concern.  It also has significant worldwide operations, operating in 61 countries with 1,063 companies that employ over 223,000 people, 111,000 of whom are outside Italy. Fiat built the famous [[Lingotto]] car factory, opened in 1923.  

Fiat was to make military machinery and vehicles during [[World War II]] for the [[Italian Army]] and [[Italian Air Force|Air Force]].  Fiat made fighter aircraft, which was one of the most common [[Italy|Italian]] aircraft used along with the [[Savoia-Marchetti]], and also made light tanks and armored vehicles.  These machinery were weak compared to some of the German and Soviet machinery, but were still used often.

Fiat corporation, starting from the late 1960s, has bought (or gained control of) a wide range of companies, including:

* ''Car companies'' - the long list includes well known firms like [[Ferrari]], [[Lancia]], [[Autobianchi]] (already bought by Lancia), [[Alfa Romeo]], [[Maserati]] and [[Innocenti]]. Fiat also owns some brands of industrial vehicles including [[Officine Meccaniche|OM]] and [[Iveco]].

* ''Agricultural and construction vehicles'' - Fiat group also owns [[CNH Global]] (which includes: Case Construction, Case IH, Flexi-Coil, Kobelco, New Holland, New Holland Construction, and Steyr); and Fiat-Hitachi Construction.

* ''Buses'' - produced with the Fiat, Iveco or Irisbus names.

* ''Aviation'' - aircraft and related components were produce by FiatAvio (now [[Avio]], an independent company), which also controls EVL, a space industry.

* ''Military vehicles'', see [[Ariete]]

* ''Vehicle components'' - the major Italian component maker [[Magneti-Marelli]] is owned by Fiat, and in turn owns the other brands Carello, Automotive Lighting, Siem, Cofap, Jaeger, Solex, Veglia Borletti, Vitaloni and [[Weber]]; other accessory brands include Riv-Skf and Brazilian Cofap.

* ''Steelmaking and metallurgy'' - Fiat owns Teksid and produces machines for the industry (also for car factories) with Comau (now Comau Systems), which bought the American Pico, Renault Automation and Sciaky.

* ''Publishing'' - notably, Fiat group also owns important editorial brands, like [[La Stampa]] (created in 1926 for the famous newspaper), Itedi, Italiana Edizioni. Some national and local newspapers are owned or otherwise controlled by the different companies. A specialised advertising space reseller is Publikompass, supported by the Consorzio Fiat Media Center.

* ''Financial services'' - An important insurance company, Toro Assicurazioni, allows Fiat to control a relevant part of this market (also with minor companies like Lloyd Italico, Augusta Assicurazioni) and to interact with some associated banks.

* ''Construction'' - Ingest Facility and Fiat Engineering work in various fields of construction, while IPI is a mediation company that also deals with the management of real estate properties.

* ''Information technology'' - Fiat is present in IT fields and in communications with ICT - Information & Communication Technology, Espin, Global Value, TeleClient, Atlanet.

* ''Leisure'' The group owns the [[Sestriere]] skiing facilities (being this village on [[Alps]] a creation of Agnelli family).

In the 1970s and 1980s, the company became a pioneer in the use of industrial robotics for the assembly of motor vehicles.  Fiat assembly plants are among the most automated and advanced in the world.  

* ''Other services'' Fiat Gesco, KeyG Consulting, Sadi Customs Services, Easy Drive, RM Risk Management and Servizio Titoli are minor companies that work for public services, delivering services in economics and financial fields.
[[Image:Fiat Group Revenues by Industry, Version 2.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Fiat Group Revenues by Industry in 2004]] Other activities include industrial securitisation (Consorzio Sirio), treasury (Fiat Geva), Fiat Information & Communication Services.

Fiat supports the ''Fondazione Giovanni Agnelli'', an important foundation for social and economic research. ''Palazzo Grassi'', a famous ancient building in [[Venice]], now a museum and formerly supported by Fiat, was eventually sold to the Venice [[casino]] in January 2005.

Fiat has recently begun sponsoring the Jamaican bobsledding team and promoting this sponsorship through commercials. Many like Jamaican athletes because they see them as underdogs and as people who enjoy life. While Volvo sponsors golf, Mercedes tennis, and Hyundai soccer, Fiat is trying to look unique and more light-hearted. Further, the team is relatively cheap to sponsor. 

The group is present in many countries, not only in the West. Notably, it was one of the first companies to build factories in Soviet-controlled countries, with the best known examples in [[Vladivostok]], [[Kyiv]] and [[Togliattigrad]]. The Russian government later continued the joint venture under the name [[AutoVAZ]] (known as [[Lada]] outside the former USSR). The venture was most notable for the [[Lada Riva]]. Fiat also has a subsidiary in [[Poland]] at [[Tychy]], (formerly called FSM) where Fiat's small cars (the [[Fiat 126|126]], [[Fiat Cinquecento|Cinquecento]] and now [[Fiat Seicento|Seicento]]) are made. Fiat also has factories in Argentina, Brazil, and Italy. In addition, its cars are produced through licensing and [[joint-venture]] agreements in China, Egypt, France, India, South Africa, Turkey, and Vietnam. Local variants of Fiats are produced at these factories as well as a world car, the [[Fiat Palio|Palio]]. As of 2005, the company holds the first position in the Brazilian automobile market with a market share close to 25%.

[[Image:Fiat_Headquarters.jpg|right|thumb|450px|Fiat's headquarters in Turin, converted from the company's first mass-production factory, the Lingotto (completed in [[1923]]).]]

Fiat has articulated that it wishes to focus on expanding into third-world markets because, in the words of former chairman Paolo Fresco, “those are the only markets where you can expect growth."  And it is true that Fiat’s specialization in smaller cars puts it at an advantage in those markets, but cars sold in third-world countries tend to be much simpler than those sold elsewhere (e.g., most lack air conditioning), and thus require much less money to develop.

After Fiat ceased importing cars into the United States in 1984,and Australia in 1989  however, they continued to be imported into [[Canada]], as did [[Soviet]] versions of Fiat models.


== History ==
[[Image:Fiat 3,5hp 1899.jpg|thumb|right|Fiat 3 ½ CV (1899)]]

Giovanni Agnelli founded Fiat in 1899 with several investors and led the company until his death in 1945, while [[Vittorio Valletta]] administered the day-to-day activities of the company. Its first car the [[Fiat 4 HP|3 ½ CV]] (of which only eight copies were built, all bodied by [[Alessio (coachbuilder)|Alessio]] of Turin) strongly resembled contemporary [[Benz]], and had a 697cc boxer twin engine. In 1903, Fiat produced its first truck. In 1908, the first Fiat was exported to the US. That same year, the first Fiat aircraft engine was produced. Also around the same time, Fiat taxis became somewhat popular in Europe. By 1910, Fiat was the largest automotive company in Italy&nbsp;— a position it has retained since. That same year, a plant licensed to produce Fiats in [[Poughkeepsie (city), New York|Poughkeepsie]], NY, made its first car. This was before the introduction of Ford's assembly line in 1913. Owning a Fiat at that time was a sign of distinction. A Fiat sold in the U.S. cost between $3,600 and $8,600, compared to US$825 the [[Ford Model T|Model T]] in 1908.

Upon the entry of the U.S. into [[World War I]] in 1917, the factory was shut down as U.S. regulations became too burdensome. At the same time, Fiat had to devote all of its factories to supplying [[Allies of World War I|the Allies]] with aircraft, engines, machine guns, trucks, and ambulances. After the war, Fiat introduced its first tractor, the 702. By the early 1920s, Fiat had a market share in Italy of 80%.

[[Image:Fiat corso dante.jpg|thumb|right|Corso Dante plant]]
[[Image:Fiat Lingotto veduta-1928.jpg|thumb|right|[[Lingotto]] factory (1928)]]
[[Image:Fiat Mirafiori.jpg|thumb|right|Mirafiori plant]]
[[Image:Lingotto-1.jpg|thumb|right|[[Lingotto]] factory (today)]]

In 1921, workers seized Fiat's plants and hoisted the red flag of communism over them. Agnelli responded by quitting the company. However, the [[Italian Socialist Party]] and its ally organization, the [[General Confederation of Labor]], in an effort to effect a compromise with the centrist parties ordered the occupation ended. In 1922, Fiat began to build the famous [[Lingotto]] car factory&nbsp;— the largest in Europe up to that time&nbsp;— which opened in 1923. It was the first Fiat factory to use assembly lines; by 1925, Fiat controlled 87% of the Italian car market. In 1928, with the [[Fiat 509|509]], Fiat included insurance in the purchase price.

Fiat made military machinery and vehicles during [[World War II]] for the [[Italian Army|Army]] and ''[[Regia Aeronautica]]'' and later for the Germans. Fiat made obsolete fighter aircraft like the biplane [[Fiat CR.42|CR.42]], which was one of the most common Italian aircraft, along with [[Savoia-Marchetti]]s, as well as light tanks (obsolete compared to their German and [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] counterparts) and armored vehicles. The best Fiat aircraft was the [[FIAT G.55|G.55]] fighter, which arrived too late and in too limited numbers. In 1945&nbsp;— the year [[Benito Mussolini|Mussolini]] was overthrown&nbsp;— the [[Italian Committee of National Liberation]] removed the Agnelli family from leadership roles in Fiat because of its ties to Mussolini's government. These were not returned until 1963, when Giovanni's grandson, [[Gianni Agnelli|Gianni]] , took over as general manager until 1966, as chairman until 1996.
  

===Gianni Agnelli===
Among Gianni's first steps after he gained control of Fiat was a massive reorganization of the company management, which had previously been highly centralized, with almost no provision for the delegation of authority and decision-making power. Such a system had worked effectively enough in the past but lacked the responsiveness and flexibility made necessary by Fiat's steady expansion and the growth of its international operations in the 1960's. The company was reorganized on a product-line basis, with two main product groups--one for passenger cars, the other for trucks and tractors--and a number of semi-independent division and subsidiaries. Top management, freed from responsibility for day-by-day operations of the company, was able to devote its efforts to more far-reaching goals. In 1967, FIAT made its first acquisition when it purchased Autobianchi. Then, in 1969, it purchased controlling interests in Ferrari and Lancia. According to ''Newsweek'' in 1968, FIAT was “the most dynamic automaker in Europe . . . [and] may come closest to challenging the worldwide supremacy of Detroit."  In 1967 Fiat, with sales amounting to $1.7 billion, outstripped Volkswagen, its main European competitor; in 1968 Fiat produced some 1,750,000 vehicles while its sales volume climbed to $2.1 billion ($11.5 billion today). At the time, Fiat was a [[conglomerate (company)|conglomerate]], owning [[Alitalia|Alitalia Airlines]], toll highways, typewriter and office machine manufacturer, electronics and electrical equipment firms, a paint company, a civil engineering firm, and an international construction company.   That same year, Fiat acquired [[Citroën]]--one of France’s three major automakers at the time. However, in 1976, it sold the company. Following up on an agreement that Valetta had made with Soviet officials in 1966, Agnelli constructed a Fiat plant in the new city of [[Togliattigrad]] on the [[Volga]] that went into operation in 1970. On his initiative, Fiat automobile and truck plants were also constructed in industrial centers of [[Yugoslavia]], [[Poland]], [[Bulgaria]], and [[Romania]]. In 1979, the company became a holding company when it spun off its various businesses into autonomous companies, one of them being Fiat Auto. That same year, sales reached an all-time high in the United States, corresponding to the [[1979 energy crisis|Iranian Oil Crisis.]] However, when gas prices fell again after 1981, Americans began purchasing [[sport utility vehicles|sport utility vehicles,]] [[minivans|minivans,]] and [[pickup trucks]] in larger numbers (marking a departure from their past preference for large cars). Also, Japanese automakers had been taking an ever-larger share of the car market, increasing at more than half a percent a year. [[Image:Leadership Timeline of Fiat Group.JPG|thumb|right|400px|Fiat has experienced a crisis of leadership in recent years.]]Thus, in 1984, Fiat and Lancia withdrew from the American market. In 1989, it did the same in the Australian market. 

In 1986, Fiat acquired Alfa Romeo from the Italian government. In 1992, two top corporate officials in the Fiat Group were arrested for political corruption. A year later, Fiat acquired Maserati. In 1995 Alfa Romeo exited the US market. Maserati re-entered the US market under Fiat in 2002. Since then, Maserati sales there have been increasing briskly.


===Paolo Fresco=== 
Paolo Fresco was brought in as chairman of Fiat in 1998. The hope was that the veteran of [[General Electric]] would bring more of an emphasis on shareholder value to Fiat. By the time he took power, Fiat's market share in Italy had fallen to around 41% from around 62% in 1984. However, a [[Jack Welch|John Welch]]-like management style would be much harsher than that used by the Italians (e.g., precarious versus lifetime employment). Instead, Fresco focused on offering more incentives for good performance, including compensation using stock options for top and middle management. However, his efforts were frustrated by union objections. Unions insisted that pay raises be set by length of tenure, rather than performance. Another conflict was over his preference for informality (the founder, Giovanni Agnelli, used to be a cavalry officer). He often referred to other managers by their first name, although company tradition obliged one to refer to others using their titles (e.g., "Chairman Fresco"). The CEO of the company, Managing Director Paolo Cantarella, ran the day-to-day affairs of the company, while Fresco determined company strategy and especially acted as a negotiator for the company. In fact, many speculated the main reason he was chosen for the job was to sell Fiat Auto (although Fresco fervently denied it). In 1999, Fiat formed CNH Global by merging New Holland NV and Case Corporation.


===Gianni Agnelli===
Among Gianni's first steps after he gained control of Fiat was a massive reorganization of the company management, which had previously been highly centralized, with almost no provision for the delegation of authority and decision-making power. Such a system had worked effectively enough in the past but lacked the responsiveness and flexibility made necessary by Fiat's steady expansion and the growth of its international operations in the 1960's. The company was reorganized on a product-line basis, with two main product groups--one for passenger cars, the other for trucks and tractors--and a number of semi-independent division and subsidiaries. Top management, freed from responsibility for day-by-day operations of the company, was able to devote its efforts to more far-reaching goals. In 1967, FIAT made its first acquisition when it purchased [[Autobianchi]]. Then, in 1969, it purchased controlling interests in [[Ferrari]] and [[Lancia]]. According to ''Newsweek'' in 1968, FIAT was “the most dynamic automaker in Europe . . . [and] may come closest to challenging the worldwide supremacy of Detroit."  In 1967 Fiat, with sales amounting to $1.7 billion, outstripped Volkswagen, its main European competitor; in 1968 Fiat produced some 1,750,000 vehicles while its sales volume climbed to $2.1 billion ($11.5 billion today). At the time, Fiat was a [[conglomerate (company)|conglomerate]], owning [[Alitalia|Alitalia Airlines]], toll highways, typewriter and office machine manufacturer, electronics and electrical equipment firms, a paint company, a civil engineering firm, and an international construction company.   That same year, Fiat acquired [[Citroën]]--one of France’s three major automakers at the time. However, in 1976, it sold the company. Following up on an agreement that Valetta had made with Soviet officials in 1966, Agnelli constructed a Fiat plant in the new city of [[Togliattigrad]] on the [[Volga]] that went into operation in 1970. On his initiative, Fiat automobile and truck plants were also constructed in industrial centers of [[Yugoslavia]], [[Poland]], [[Bulgaria]], and [[Romania]]. In 1979, the company became a holding company when it spun off its various businesses into autonomous companies, one of them being Fiat Auto. That same year, sales reached an all-time high in the United States, corresponding to the [[1979 energy crisis|Iranian Oil Crisis.]] However, when gas prices fell again after 1981, Americans began purchasing [[sport utility vehicles|sport utility vehicles,]] [[minivans|minivans,]] and [[pickup trucks]] in larger numbers (marking a departure from their past preference for large cars). Also, Japanese automakers had been taking an ever-larger share of the car market, increasing at more than half a percent a year. [[Image:Leadership Timeline of Fiat Group.JPG|thumb|right|400px|Fiat has experienced a crisis of leadership in recent years.]]Thus, in 1984, Fiat and Lancia withdrew from the American market. In 1989, it did the same in the Australian market. 

In 1986, Fiat acquired Alfa Romeo from the Italian government. In 1992, two top corporate officials in the Fiat Group were arrested for political corruption. A year later, Fiat acquired Maserati. In 1995 Alfa Romeo exited the US market. Maserati re-entered the US market under Fiat in 2002. Since then, Maserati sales there have been increasing briskly.


===Paolo Fresco=== 
Paolo Fresco was brought in as chairman of Fiat in 1998. The hope was that the veteran of [[General Electric]] would bring more of an emphasis on shareholder value to Fiat. By the time he took power, Fiat's market share in Italy had fallen to around 41%  from around 62% in 1984. However, a [[Jack Welch|John Welch]]-like management style would be much harsher than that used by the Italians (e.g., precarious versus lifetime employment). Instead, Fresco focused on offering more incentives for good performance, including compensation using stock options for top and middle management. However, his efforts were frustrated by union objections. Unions insisted that pay raises be set by length of tenure, rather than performance. Another conflict was over his preference for informality (the founder, Giovanni Agnelli, used to be a cavalry officer). He often referred to other managers by their first name, although company tradition obliged one to refer to others using their titles (e.g., "Chairman Fresco"). The CEO of the company, Managing Director Paolo Cantarella, ran the day-to-day affairs of the company, while Fresco determined company strategy and especially acted as a negotiator for the company. In fact, many speculated the main reason he was chosen for the job was to sell Fiat Auto (although Fresco fervently denied it). In 1999, Fiat formed CNH Global by merging New Holland NV and Case Corporation.


=== Partnership with GM ===

Over time, most automotive companies around the world have become [[holding company|holding companies]] of foreign as well as domestic competitors. For example, [[General Motors Corporation|General Motors]] owned a [[controlling interest]] in [[Saab Automobile]] and, until recently, in [[Isuzu]]. Fresco signed a joint-venture agreement in 2000 under which GM acquired a stake in Fiat Auto. This made it appear as if Fiat was next, although GM has made joint ventures with other companies (such as Toyota) without acquiring them. Nevertheless, Fiat did not see the GM partnership as a threat, rather as an opportunity to off-load its automotive business. The agreement with GM included a [[put option]], which held that Fiat would have the right to sell GM its auto division after four years at fair market value. If GM balked, it would be forced to pay a penalty of $2 billion. When Fiat tried to sell GM the company, GM chose the penalty. On 13 May 2005 GM and Fiat officially dissolved their agreement.

The current CEO however views alliances such as these as the deciding factor of the future success of Fiat. In 2005 Fiat was courting Ford.

As part of the recent divestitures, in 2003 Fiat shed its insurance sector, which it was operating through Toro Assicurazioni to the DeAgostini Group. In the same year, Fiat sold its aviation business, FiatAvio to Avio Holding. In February 2004, the company sold its interest in Fiat Engineering, as well as its stake in Edison.

Fiat faces a multitude of threats, including rising steel prices (up by 16-30% beginning of 2008), a strong Euro, and increased competition from Japanese and South Korean car manufacturers in Europe. Although the light-vehicle market share of Japanese and South Korean automakers in Europe is less than in the U.S. (12.5% and 3.9%, respectively versus 30% and 3.9% in the US), it has been increasing steadily at about a half a percent a year.

Fiat has drawn criticism within New Zealand for an advertisement it ran in Italy, which a [[New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade]] spokesman described as "culturally insensitive and inappropriate". The advert showed women performing the [[haka]] beside the new Fiat car and crowd noise is in the background to simulate the atmosphere in an [[All Blacks]] [[rugby union]] match. As the haka is finished a woman drives away in the Fiat car and a boy in the back of the car pokes out his tongue, which is the action used to finish the haka.


==== Potential takeover of GM Europe ====
{{Main|New GM Europe}}
In April and May 2009, the possibility of a take over of GM Europe, a subsidiary of [[General Motors]], was being discussed between the two companies. GM Europe owns [[Opel]]/[[Vauxhall]] and [[Saab]].

On May 30, 2009, German officials named [[Magna International]], a Canadian-Austro car parts manufacturer, to take over Opel. The Opel/Vauxhall partnership is the largest of GM Europe's operations.

As of June 2010, the deal fell through and General Motors is holding on to Opel/Vauxhall and sold [[Saab Automobile|Saab]] to [[Spyker Cars|Spyker]].


== Enterprises outside of Italy ==
Fiat was a key player in developing motor industries for a number of  countries from the 1950s, particularly in [[Eastern Europe]], Spain, [[Egypt]], [[Ethiopia]] and [[Turkey]].  The [[AutoVAZ]] state works [[Lada]] products in Tolyatti (Togliatti), Russia, were Fiat based, as were SEAT products of Spain.  Lada now is controlled by Renault, and SEAT by Volkswagen.  A small number of Fiats were also constructed in Bulgaria.


=== Zastava, Serbia ===
Its first enterprise came in 1955, when it agreed a deal with [[Yugoslavia|Yugoslav]] carmaker [[Zastava]] to assemble Fiats for Eastern Europe. The first cars to be produced by Zastava were its versions of the [[Fiat 1300]] and [[Fiat 1400]]. By 1970, Zastava was producing parts for the newer [[Fiat 124]] and [[Fiat 125]] models, although these cars were actually assembled in Poland. The [[Zastava 750]], launched in 1962, was Zastava's version of the iconic [[Fiat 600]] [[minicar]]. It outlived the car on which it was based, with production not finishing until 1981.

Zastavas were not popular outside of Eastern Europe before the 1980s, although they were exported to the United States under the Yugo brand as long ago as 1973.

[[Image:Zastava Yugo 311 1116cc.jpg|thumb|right|A UK right-hand drive Zastava 101-based hatchback]]

The most famous product launched by Zastava is the [[Zastava 101]], a front-wheel drive car based on the [[Fiat 128]], also available as a [[hatchback]] version never sold in Italy. Despite numerous bad press about build quality and reliability, it sold well in Yugoslavia thanks largely to its low asking price, cheap maintenance costs and simple mechanical design.

With the demise of the aged [[Zastava 750]] in 1981, the minicar gap in the Zastava range was filled by the [[Zastava Koral]], which was best known in [[United Kingdom|Britain]] and America as the Yugo Tempo. It was based on the 1971 [[Fiat 127]], which was due to be replaced by the [[Fiat Uno]] in 1983. It was among the cheapest cars on sale in both countries, and it was well received in its class in Britain, but not so much in the more competitive U.S. market. But hostility towards Yugoslavia in the wake of the 1992 civil unrest saw a swift ceasure of imports to both Britain and America.

The Zastava factory in [[Kragujevac]] was later bombed, but was rebuilt once the war was over, and production continued at another factory in [[Kragujevac]].

In 1987, Zastava came up with a new car design. The [[Zastava Florida]] - known in other markets as the [[Yugo Sana]] - was styled by [[Giorgetto Giugiaro]] at the [[ItalDesign]] studio, featured a range of refined [[Peugeot]] engines, and was mechanically similar to the forthcoming and highly acclaimed [[Fiat Tipo]]. It was sold in Britain from 1988 to 1992, but was withdrawn from sale for a number of reasons&nbsp;— particularly the domestic upheavels in Yugoslavia and the fall in popularity of the whole Yugo range in Britain. Sales continued in its homeland, with an update at the end of the 1990s.

Zastava did not launch another new car for another 16 years. The 2003 [[Zastava 10]] model was another Fiat design&nbsp;— this time the second generation [[Fiat Punto#Mark 2|Punto]]. It boasts similar features to the Punto and other cars in its class such as the [[Volkswagen Polo]]. It is competitively priced compared to other similar-sized cars, including the Punto on which it is based.

Four years after its launch, the [[Zastava 10]] has not yet been sold outside of the [[former Yugoslavia]].

According to Fiat sources a new memorandum of understanding between Fiat and the Serb ministry of economic and regional development about the acquisition of Zastava's Kragujevac plant foresees a new company being set up in which the Italians would have a 70 percent stake and the Serb government 30 percent. Several models are to be introduced to the plant once its upgrade is complete, including possibly the Fiat 500 and the new low cost vehicle that Fiat is introducing to compete with Renault's Dacia brand.


=== Polski Fiat/FSO (Poland) ===
Fiat automobiles have been made in Poland since 1920. In 1932, the [[Polski Fiat|Polskie zakłady Inżynieryjne (Polish Engineering Works, PZInż)]] started the production of [[Fiat 508]], produced until 1939 also as a military vehicle. In 1936 the licence was extended to include the [[Fiat 518]] model. In 1965, the Polish communist government signed a deal with [[Fiat]] to produce selected Fiat models in Poland at the [[Fabryka Samochodów Osobowych|FSO]] factory in [[Warsaw]] that had been built in 1951. Production of the new car&nbsp;— the [[Polski Fiat 125p]] - began in 1967. It was visually identical to the [[Fiat 125]], but it made use of older Fiat mechanicals which dated back to 1960. The car sold very well in its homeland and was soon exported to [[Western Europe]]. After 1979, Fiat withdrew control of the FSO factory, and from then on the FSO badge was revived. A year earlier, it had appeared on a new five-door hatchback, the [[FSO Polonez]], that made use of Fiat 125 [[running gear]].

The [[Polski Fiat]] design survived until 1991, by which time almost 1,500,000 had been made in less than 25 years. It was a cheap competitor to similar Eastern European budget cars, and by the time of its demise, many Eastern European carmakers were adopting modern Western style designs in place of the archaic three-box saloons that had barely moved out of the 1960s.

FSO was taken over by [[Daewoo]] of South Korea in 1995, by which time the [[FSO Polonez]] had been replaced by the [[FSO Caro|Caro]], which was little more than a [[Facelift (automobile)|facelift]] of the 1978 design with underpinnings dating back to 1960. This car was sold in Western Europe until the end of the 1990s, and production finally finished in 2002.

FSO had become independent again in late 2000, after Daewoo went [[bankrupt]] and were saved by General Motors. Despite this, FSO continued to build versions of the [[Daewoo Matiz]] and [[Daewoo Lanos]]. These cars remain in production to this day, although the target of the factory is to focus on the production of the [[Chevrolet Aveo]] which has already been introduced.

The Fabryka Samochodów Małolitrażowych (FSM) in [[Bielsko-Biała]] and [[Tychy]] started the output of the [[Fiat_126p#Polski_Fiat_126p|Fiat 126(p)]] in 1983 and the Cinquecento (see [[Fiat Cinquecento]])in 1991.

In 1992 90% of stock of FSM (Fiat Auto Poland, since 1993) was purchased by Fiat Auto. since then it produced Cinquecento, Uno, Seicento, Siena and Palio Weekend (see [[Fiat Cinquecento]], [[Fiat Uno]], [[Fiat Seicento]], [[Fiat Siena]] and [[Fiat Palio Weekend]]) models with the capacity up to 200.000 cars a year. In 2003, FSM become the sole producer of [[Fiat Panda]], and in 2007 of new [[Fiat 500]] model. The capacity was increased to ca. 280.000 cars a year, and due to new investments in 2006-2007 will reach over half a million in 2008. This will enable Fiat Auto Poland to include a new model of [[Ford]] in its production. It is worth noting both Panda and 500 were selected [[European car of the year]], respectively in 2004 and 2007.

Other Fiat investment in Poland is a joint Fiat-GM venture of [[GM Powertrain|Powertrain]], producing multijet (see [[JTD engine]]) car engines both for Fiat and GM models.


=== AutoVAZ Lada (Soviet Union/Russia) ===
In 1966, Fiat helped U.S.S.R. state industries build a new car factory ([[AvtoVAZ]]) on the banks of the [[Volga]] river. A planned city called [[Tolyatti]] (named after [[Palmiro Togliatti]],an Italian communist) was developed around the factory, which started producing a "people's car" similar to the [[Volkswagen Beetle]] and [[Citroën 2CV]] of Germany and France.  The new Soviet car, called the Lada, however, was a more spacious offering, in [[Sedan (car)|four-door saloon]] and [[Station wagon|five-door estate]] variants.  Fiat installed British-built machine tools supplied by Herbert-BSA[http://bsamachinetools.com/main.htm] of [[Birmingham]] for the manufacture of many Lada parts.  The 124's design was mechanically upgraded to survive treacherous Russian driving conditions and extremely cold winters. Imports to Western Europe, Canada, and other third world countries began, and by the early 1980s, the cars began to sell fairly well thanks largely to their low asking price. This car was upgraded to become the [[Lada Riva]] (marketing name in some markets) in 1980.

In 1977 the [[Off-road vehicle|four-wheel drive]] [[Lada Niva]] was introduced which used some proprietary Fiat based components from the car (eg engine and gearbox), but the body and four-wheel drive system were VAZ designs. Off the road there were few vehicles that could match it. The Riva and Niva are still in production today (2008).

In June 2008, Fiat and [[Severstal]]'s [[Sollers JSC]] have formalised a number of joint ventures announced last year to make and sell Fiat cars and engines in Russia. They will make up to 90,000 diesel engines and up to 50,000 Fiat Linea sedans a year. Production will begin this year (2008).


=== Bulgaria ===
1967-1971 produced [[Pirin-Fiat]] in [[Lovech]], [[Bulgaria]].


=== Turkey ===
In [[Turkey]], the Fiat 124 was produced under licence by [[Tofaş]] as the [[Fiat_124#Turkish|Tofaş Murat]]. This was replaced by a version of the [[Fiat 131]], known as the [[Tofaş Şahin]]. Today the Fiat Linea car is amongst those manufactured by the Fiat-Tofas joint venture in Turkey, and the company has about 10% of the Turkish car market as of 2008.


=== Spain ===
in Spain, [[SEAT]] was set up with Fiat assistance, producing Fiat models under its own brand name until 1981, when Fiat withdrew its support. However, production of the Fiat-based models continued, with the final Fiat-based SEAT (the [[SEAT Marbella|Marbella]]) not finishing until 1996. By this stage, SEAT had become part of German manufacturer [[Volkswagen]] after several years of ownership by the Spanish government.


=== South Africa ===
In South Africa, the [[Fiat Uno]] was assembled under licence by [[Nissan]], which marketed it through its dealerships as the Uno, without Fiat branding.


=== Ethiopia ===
the [[Fiat 131]], known as the Holland Car DOCC.


=== Helwan, Egypt ===
As part of [[Gamal Abdel Nasser|Nasser's]] regime he made a way to protect the national economy, he ordered EGID (General Intelligence Agent) to establish [[Nasr (car company)|Nasr]]. Producing some Fiat models, then is formed with [[Turkey]] new models now which called [[Tofaş Şahin|Şahin]] till now El Nasr Product Fiat 128 and Şahin.


=== India ===
'''Premier Automobiles Limited''' is a Mumbai-based manufacturer of vehicles founded in 1944.  In 1951, the company began producing versions of the [[Fiat 500]] for the Indian market. This was followed by the [[Fiat 1100]] in 1954. In 1973, the Premier name was used on its vehicles for the first time, the Premier President, based on the [[Fiat 1100]] as [[Premier Padmini]]. In 1984, they launched the [[Fiat 124]]-based Premier 118 and 138D models.

'''Fiat India Automobiles Private Limited (FIAPL)''' is a joint venture between Fiat and [[Tata Motors]]. It was founded in 1997. Fiat builds the Palio Stile and Palio Stile Multijet in India and imports its Fiat 500 into India from Italy, whereas Fiat has many cars under its hood planned for India like the internationally acclaimed Linea, Grande Punto and Bravo, of which the Linea will release in January 2009 and the Punto and Bravo will follow in mid 2009. The Fiat plant is situated in Ranjangaon near Pune in Maharashtra and also manufactures the Tata Indica.


=== Sri Lanka ===
In 1964-65, the [[Ceylon Transport Board]] contemplated production of buses in [[Sri Lanka]] in collaboration with FIAT. However, with the change of Government in 1965, the CTB opted for a deal with [[British Leyland]].

In 1973, entrepreneur [[Upali Wijewardena]]'s Upali Motor Company began assembly of the so-called 'Upali-FIAT' 128. However, production ended with the introduction of the open-market economy in 1978.


==Fiat Car Model Description and Photos==

[[List of Fiat models]] since 1899
{{Fiat SPA}}
{{Fiat Historic Timeline}}
{{Fiat Pre War Timeline}}
{{Early European Fiat vehicles}}
{{Modern European Fiat vehicles}}


==European Car of the Year Awards==

Fiat cars have won the [[European Car of the Year]] Award 8 times

*1967: Fiat [[Fiat 124|124]]
*1970: Fiat [[Fiat 128|128]]
*1972: Fiat [[Fiat 127|127]]
*1984: Fiat [[Fiat Uno|Uno]]
*1989: Fiat [[Fiat Tipo|Tipo]]
*1995: Fiat [[Fiat Punto|Punto]]
*1996: Fiat [[Fiat Brava|Brava/Bravo]]
*2004: [[Fiat Panda (2003)|Fiat Panda (New)]]


==Concept Cars and Designs==

Concept Cars by '''[[Italdesign]]'''

Designs by '''[[Pininfarina]]'''


==See also==

*[[List of Italian companies]]
*[[List of automobile manufacturers]]
*[[Simca]]
*[[Neckar (car)|Neckar]]


== Internal Links ==

[[Fiat Value in Italy (Euro)]]


==External links==

*[http://www.fiatgroup.com/ The Fiat Group]
*[http://www.fiat.com/ The Fiat car company]
*[http://www.fiatusa.com Fiat USA]
*[http://biz.yahoo.com/ic/41/41777.html Yahoo! - Fiat SpA Company Profile]
*[http://www.fiatclubnsw.com Fiat Club of New South Wales]
*[http://www.superpanda.de.vu German Fiat Panda Fanclub]
*[http://www.eurovan2.com International Ulysse Forum]
*[http://www.mirafiori.com Mirafiori]
*[http://www.flu.org Fiat-Lancia Unlimited]
*[http://www.fiat.web.tr/ FIAT Club of Turkey]


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