fiat. Brand history. History of the Fiat brand Fiat company
The diversified concern "Fiat" is one of the largest European manufacturers of cars and equipment special purpose. Today we will talk about its history and popular models.
The history of the formation of the brand "Fiat"
The date of foundation of the Italian company is considered to be 1899. It was during this year that at the factory in the Italian city of Torino, a group of engineers opened production for the assembly of passenger cars under the Renault license. Fiat produced its first car in 1901. Simultaneously with the production of motor vehicles, the company mastered and began to produce aviation and marine power units. An important stage in the development of the company was the year 1912, in which serial, and most importantly, conveyor production of cars began at the new Lingotto factory. By this period, the company began the production of trucks and buses.
Before the start of the war, the company managed to become a leader in the European automotive industry, updating almost every year the lineup their cars. In the post-war period, Fiat produced modernized pre-war cars.
After the sixties of the last century, the company began to develop rapidly, and at present Fiat is a manufacturer of a wide variety of equipment.
Products of Fiat subsidiaries
In our country, the Fiat brand is most of all associated with cars. But the range of products manufactured by subsidiaries in different countries by Fiat manufacturers, is much wider and includes the following special vehicles:
- excavators, bulldozers, loaders - CASE (construction equipment), New Holland Construction;
- combines, tractors, agricultural equipment - Case IH, Steyr;
- fire fighting equipment - Magirus ("Magirus");
- trolley buses - Irisbus ("Irisbas");
- trucks - Astra ("Astra");
- military equipment - Iveco Defense Vehicles.
Fiat Powertrain Technologies specializes in the production of engines, transmissions, auto units and metalworking.
Automotive direction "Fiat"
The structure of the concern includes a number of well-known companies specializing in the production of cars. These are the following companies:
- Maserati ("Maserati") - business class cars, sports cars;
- Alfa Romeo ("Alfa Romeo") - passenger cars cars;
- Ferrari ("Ferrari") - exclusive sports and racing cars;
- Chrysler ("Chrysler") - cars, crossovers, SUVs;
- Lancia ("Lyancha") - passenger models, minivans;
- Abarth ("Abarth") - sports cars based production models"Fiat";
- Mopar - production of spare parts.
According to the location of the subsidiaries, the answer to the question of who produces Fiat, the producing country, except for Italy, should be the United States, where Chrysler is located.
Cars produced under the Fiat brand
In addition to the listed cars, produced by Fiat subsidiaries in Europe and America, under their own name are currently produced following models passenger cars listed in Table 1.
In addition to passenger cars under the name "Fiat", a commercial model of the minibus "Ducato" is produced in the following versions:
- Van.
- Combi.
- Chassis.
The van variant has four variants of modifications for passenger traffic. Based on the combi and chassis versions, six variants of the cargo version and eight standard special vehicles are mass-produced.
The manufacturer of Fiat Ducato in the country is the domestic company Sollers. The car is manufactured at the company's production facilities in the city of Yelabuga.
Advantages of Fiat cars
Having extensive experience in the development and production of cars (12 awards for the best car of the year), the company successfully uses it in conjunction with innovative technologies for the production of modern models. Such a merger, along with a rather diverse model range contributes to the high demand for brand cars. In addition, manufactured Fiat cars are characterized by the following advantages:
- individual design, forming a recognizable external image;
- the presence of a large number modern systems driver assistance and safety;
- a variety of equipment versions that allow you to choose the necessary equipment;
- powerful and economical power units;
- affordable cost;
- inexpensive after-sales service and low cost of spare parts;
- the possibility of acquiring the selected car under various credit and leasing programs;
- good demand in the secondary market.
The advantages include that the countries producing Fiat cars are completely different.
Sedan "Fiat Albea"
The company has developed a compact car specifically for the countries of Eastern Europe. As a basis for the novelty, I used the Paleo model. Considering the specifics of sales and the upcoming operating conditions, the following qualities were initially incorporated into the design of the car:
- high ground clearance;
- spacious interior with quality finishes;
- reinforced suspension;
- galvanized body;
- increased trunk volume;
- budget cost.
original manufacturer" Fiat Albea"- this is Turkey. From here, the sedan was exported to European countries. Later, the number of Fiat Albea producing countries increased, they became Poland and Russia.
In our country, the model was produced from 2000 to 2011 at the facilities of Sollers. Despite the termination of sales of the small car in Russia, in Europe the Albea sedan is sold in three trim levels, and the cost is from 10.70 thousand to 12.90 thousand dollars.
"Fiat Ducato"
The Ducato minibus has been produced by the company since 1981. Distinctive features new items immediately became a large number of configuration options and the ability to install a choice of one of six power units. Currently, a modification of the car of the 2016 model is being produced and sold. The model became the leader in terms of sales among commercial minibuses. The basis of this success was the following advantages of "Ducato":
- modern design;
- multifunctionality;
- the presence of three options for the wheelbase;
- comfortable salon;
- increased power of body elements;
- reinforced suspension design;
- load capacity;
- economy in operation;
- affordable cost;
- rich equipment;
- powerful power units.
The main manufacturer of Fiat Ducato for European countries is the SEVEL enterprise located in Italy.
Placement of car production
Like all leading automakers in the world, the Italian company locates its production facilities in various countries in order to be closer to the most popular markets. Table 2 shows the Fiat producing countries, where the largest production facilities of the concern are located and the models produced under the Fiat brand are presented.
It should be noted that there are assembly areas in the Fiat manufacturing countries in Egypt (African market) and China (Asian region).
Sale of small cars in Russia
In addition to the minibus "Ducato", the following compact passenger cars of the brand are currently sold in the salons of official dealers:
1. "500". Subcompact runabout, designed primarily for use in urban areas. Has an unusual appearance, high security(five stars from EURO NCAP), richly equipped, which already in the basic version includes:
- air conditioner;
- seven airbags;
- on-board computer;
- remote door opening;
- emergency brake assistant.
Also in the salons there are two sports modifications of this model under the designation 500GQ and 500 Sport.
2. Punto. Compact passenger car, manufactured in 1993. Has a bright dynamic design, which forms a modern external image. In our country, it is sold in four different configurations in a hatchback body. It has a rich equipment, among which are:
- multifunction steering wheel with electric power steering and a choice of control mode;
- on-board computer;
- air conditioner;
- lock with remote control;
- seven airbags;
- "Start/Stop" system;
- various trim options.
When asked which country of origin "Fiat" for Russian market, it should be answered that these are enterprises of Poland and Italy.
Minivan for domestic buyers
The appearance of the all-wheel drive model "Fremont" on domestic market due to the company's desire to increase the segment of cars sold in our country by entering the market of universal family cars. Cars of this class are quite popular in Russia.
"Fremont" has a powerful appearance, stylized as a crossover; which highlights:
- multi-stage front bumper;
- wide wheel arches;
- large hood stamping lines;
- plastic lining imitating front and rear protection.
Traditionally for Fiat models, the minivan received rich equipment:
- multimedia complex with touch screen;
- multifunction steering wheel;
- seats with a large number of adjustments;
- dual-zone climate control;
- 17-inch wheels;
- parking controller;
- start the engine with a button;
- pressure and light sensors;
The cost of new items in domestic salons starts from 1.30 million rubles.
Fiat in Russia
The first Fiat cars appeared in our country in 1915, but deliveries did not last long. The next major and important stage in the emergence of Italians in Russia should be considered the construction of the Volga Automobile Plant and the creation of the production of passenger cars under the VAZ brand. The small car "Fiat 124" was chosen as the basis for the first model of the new plant. The car was redesigned jointly by Italian and Soviet engineers for the possibility of operation in domestic conditions. After successful tests, the runabout was put on the conveyor.
The new model turned out to be so successful that it went through several modifications, and subsequent cars of the plant were developed on its basis, the production of which continued until almost 2000.
In our time, the most successful result of cooperation must be called the production of the Ducato minibus model together with the Russian company Sollers. The plant in Yelabuga produces several modifications of this model. In addition, on the basis of Fiat Ducato, the manufacturer produces special-purpose vehicles.
Fiat Group is an Italian manufacturer of passenger cars and commercial vehicles, engines, auto components. The headquarters is in Turin.
Since 2011, the company has been divided into two subsidiaries: Fiat SpA, which manufactures passenger cars, and Fiat Industrial, which manufactures vehicles for industry.
In 2014, when the Italian automaker bought 100% of Chrysler's shares, it was decided to create a single company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, headquartered in the Netherlands.
The company was founded by Giovanni Agnelli together with several investors in 1899. The first car was the Corso Dante 35 with a 3.5 hp two-cylinder boxer engine placed at the rear. In 1900, the first factory of the brand was opened in Turin, which employed 150 people, with a production capacity of 24 cars per year. When Agnelli visited the factories of Henry Ford, the first car assembly line in Europe appeared at the plant in Turin.
Since 1901, the motor began to be placed in front of the car. The first model with the new layout was the 8 PS, which received a three-speed gearbox and mechanical brakes on the rear wheels. A liter engine could accelerate the car to 45 km / h.
Fiat 8 PS (1901)
A year later, a 4.2-liter four-cylinder engine appears, and Giovanni Agnelli wins the Giro de Italia Automobilistico. In 1903, the first truck 18 BL was released. The following year, the wooden frame was replaced with a steel one, and a batch of luxury cars with a 10-liter 60 hp engine was also released.
In 1908, Fiat cars began to be exported to the United States. Around the same time, taxi brands became very popular in Europe.
In 1916, construction began on a plant called the Automobile Moscow Society (AMO) in Moscow. At this enterprise, the Ryabushinsky entrepreneurs began to assemble Fiat 15 Ter cars. Prior to that, the Fiat-15 bis, which took part in the rally of military equipment in 1912, was popular with the Russian public. In 1918 the enterprise was nationalized. Since 1924, the plant produced the Soviet truck AMO-F-15, built on the basis of the Fiat-15 Ter.
During World War I, Fiat produced aircraft engines, machine guns, trucks and ambulances. In the post-war years, the company returned to the production of cars, produced its first tractor, and by the early 1920s, it held an 80 percent share of the car market in Italy.
The company is experimenting with the compressor, which results in the development of a 187 hp 12-cylinder V-engine. Equipped with such a motor, the car accelerated to 240 km / h.
In 1921, the company aims to conquer the luxury car segment with the launch of the 520 Superfiat, which was the only car in the world with a V12 engine. However, it was not popular with buyers, with only 30 units of the model built between 1921 and 1923.
Fiat 520 Superfiat (1921-1923)
In 1925, the Model 509 was released, an inexpensive reliable car, on which for the first time camshaft was behind. Until 1929, about 90,000 units of the model were sold. In 1927, the first Fiat car appears with hydraulic drive brakes 521 C.
In the early 30s, the market needed inexpensive cars, so the brand is developing a budget 508 Balilla. It was distinguished by revolutionary low fuel consumption (8 liters per 100 km) and reliability. Equipped with a 1.0-liter engine with 20 hp. the car accelerated to 85 km / h. For the entire time of release, Fiat produced 113,000 copies of the model.
In 1935, in Milan, the company presents a car using an aerodynamic body, a central tubular frame, Dubonnet independent front wheel suspension and an overhead valve engine.
A year later, the legendary small car Topolino was released, which was sold at a price less than 508 Balilla. Its 0.6-liter engine developed 13 hp, but accelerated the car to 85 km / h. Since then, the brand has specialized in the production of inexpensive cars and abandons ambitions in the premium segment.
Fiat Topolino (1936-1955)
During the Second World War, military equipment was made on the basis of civilian vehicles. In the post-war period, the company's plants required restoration and development new base clients. Due to complicity with the Mussolini regime, Giovanni Agnelli was removed from the post of general director in 1945 and died soon after. His place was taken by Vittorio Valletta, who immediately set about the difficult task of restoring normal work.
The devastation of the post-war years put auto companies in a difficult position not only for obvious reasons: destruction, impoverishment of the population, interruptions in supplies. It was not clear in what areas to develop, what machines to produce, which would require the market in the near future. Fiat decided to follow the beaten track and launched the successful 500 Topolino before the war. It was this car that helped her stay afloat.
In 1950, a completely new model appears - the Fiat 1400 with a monocoque body designed by Pininfarina. The car received a short-stroke engine with a cylinder diameter of 82 m and a piston stroke of 55 mm. Later, he became the first car of the brand to receive a diesel engine.
A year later, the 1900 model is released, as well as the first Campacnola SUV. In 1952, the 8V sports car was introduced, which became the first car of the brand with independent suspension all wheels. The body design was developed by Ghia. This model could accelerate to 190 km / h.
In 1955, the 500S Topolino was replaced by the 600, budget car, which has become truly massive due to its affordable price. It was this model that Soviet designers used to create the design of the first Zaporozhets. Fiat was equipped with a 600 cc air-cooled engine with 22 hp. With modest technical specifications it could accelerate to 100 km / h and placed four people inside.
Fiat 600 (1955-1969)
In 1961, a new family of rear-wheel drive cars appeared, designed by the designer Aurelio Lampredi, who had previously worked for Ferrari. They also became the inspiration for Soviet designers: many elements were used on the Moskvich-408.
1966 was the year the Fiat 124 appeared, which immediately became the winner of the Car of the Year competition. Later it was used in the design of the VAZ-2101, 2102 and 2103, the first mass-produced Soviet cars. The Italians were engaged in the construction of the AVTOVAZ plant and equipped it with equipment.
In 1969, thanks to lucrative contracts with the USSR and Poland, the company feels financially confident to begin acquisitions. First of all, she buys Lancia and Ferrari.
In 1972, the 131 Mirafiori was replaced by the 124. It was distinguished by its modern design and set various configurations. Then comes the subcompact 126, which has become a cult.
In 1980, the brand introduces a new program, the first car of which is the angular Panda. In 1985, the Croma front-wheel drive sedan was released, developed jointly with Lancia and SAAB. The model was equipped with in-line four-cylinder gasoline engines including turbocharging. Diesel engines were also offered.
Fiat Panda (1980)
In 1986, the company buys Alfa Romeo and merges it into a new division, Alfa Lancia S.p.A.
In the 1990s, Italian automakers began to lose ground to competitors. Fiat was forced to leave the North American market due to the loss of credibility associated with the unreliability of cars. In 1995, the company buys Maserati, however, despite owning a 90 percent market share, the situation is deteriorating. In 2002, the company suffers a record loss of 4.2 billion euros.
In 2004, Sergio Marchionne becomes the head of the company, and the next year the brand becomes profitable again. The company focuses not on political and trade union issues, but on the development of the automotive business. The success of the brand is largely dictated by two models - Fiat 500 and Fiat Panda. With these vehicles, the Italian automaker returned to the Canadian, US and Australian markets.
On January 20, 2009, Fiat SpA and Chrysler LLC announced their intention to form a global alliance. On January 1, 2014, Fiat became the owner of the American brand.
Today in Russia the interests of the brand are represented by ZAO Chrysler RUS. Models were assembled at the Sollers factories Fiat Albea and Fiat Dobl o (Naberezhnye Chelny), as well as Fiat Ducato (Yelabuga).
In 2010, the Italian automaker intended to set up a plant on the basis of Sollers-Naberezhnye Chelny as part of a joint venture project between Fiat and Sollers. The planned capacity of the enterprise was 500 thousand cars annually. The Russian government could provide a loan of 2.1 billion euros for the implementation of this project. However, a year later, the parties refused to implement it.
In 2013, Fiat was named the second largest automaker in Europe and the seventh largest in the world. The company produces vehicles under the brands Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Ferrari, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Ram Trucks and SRT. The brand is the market leader in Brazil, where the second largest plant after Italy is located. Also, Fiat enterprises are located in Argentina, Poland and Mexico. Numerous alliances and joint ventures make it possible to assemble machines in Serbia, France, Turkey, India and China.
FIAT (FIAT, Fabrica Italiana Automobili Torino), the largest Italian automobile corporation. It produces cars, sports cars, trucks, various industrial and agricultural machinery. The corporation also owns enterprises for the production of aerospace products. The headquarters is in Turin. The company was founded in 1899 by a group of investors, among whom was Giovanni Agnelli, and began assembling cars under license from Renault with De Dion engines. In the organization of production, Agnelli from the very beginning brought his socialist ideals about the possibility of cooperation between entrepreneurs and workers.
In 1903, tariffs on imported steel were canceled in Italy, which led to a rapid expansion of production: original passenger taxis, trucks, and buses appeared, and the production of engines for aircraft and ships began. Fiat cars, designed for elite buyers, have achieved permanent popularity not only in the Italian but also in the world market. At the same time, the Fiat brand was gaining recognition in car racing as well, finishing ahead of brands such as Lancia, Storero, Miller and Nazzaro. First time in Europe car company FIAT made a name for itself as the original manufacturer of the 10.5-litre S61 by winning the French Grand Prix in 1911.
Soon Giovanni Agnelli concluded that it was necessary to move forward from handicraft to industrial production and in 1912 launched mass production of cars under the F.I.A.T. brand. He was one of the first to understand that each auto manufacturer needs its own style, which should be developed by a stylist. The pioneer of this ideology was the 1912 Tipo Zero. The design of the car did not differ in originality and was similar to models from other companies. And in order to give the “face” of the car individuality, Agnelli ordered his craftsmen to develop six different radiator linings. F.I.A.T. and Alfa Romeo were the first to order bodies for their serial production from such masters as Locati and Toretta (Locati & Toretta), and then from Zagato and Touring (Touring).
From the very beginning, Fiat has established production and production abroad. An example of this is the Poughkeepsie plant in the United States of America, which was opened in 1909. This approach fully reflected the views of Giovanni Agnelli, who was already planning the development of methods to increase control over the production system. The result of this was the Lingotto project, in those days the largest automobile complex in Europe, which began production in 1922. This project was based on a certain strategy: to make a car not for the elite and accessible only to a few, but a mass-produced car. This was done thanks to completely new principles of industrial organization of production, based on an assembly line of a conveyor type.
First World War made FIAT the leader of the Italian automotive production. By the early 1920s, FIAT was already becoming largest company Italy. The skillful administrator of the company, Vittorio Valletta, also contributed to this in many ways. But in 1919-1920, FIAT and personally Agnelli had to go through a series of powerful strikes, accompanied by the seizure of enterprises and office space. The leaders of the insurgent workers were the communists Antonio Gramsci and Palmiro Togliatti. Production was virtually destroyed. After Mussolini came to power, Agnelli returned to leadership. In 1927, the IFI holding was created to manage FIAT. The Agnelli family still plays the leading role in the holding to this day. In 1932 the "Balilla" debuted and production soon reached 113,000 pieces.
In 1936, the "Topolino" (Topolino, or "FIAT-500") appears, a two-seater car with an engine displacement of 569 cm3, the smallest car in the world, put into mass production. First, the shape and volume of the body were devised, and only after that, engineer Dante Giacosa began to think about the arrangement of all the components and assemblies of the chassis with rear drive wheels under it, designing them in the form of a short and light frame with holes in the spars to reduce weight . The necessary rigidity was acquired only after the inclined body was attached to the frame. This famous car from 1936 to 1955 was sold in the amount of 519 thousand units. The various models of this car were intended to increase interest in Italy and thereby cause a general increase in the number of cars.
During the Second World War, FIAT enterprises were significantly destroyed, and after the liberation of Italy they were nationalized. However, Vittorio Valletta continued to actually manage the company. After the war, when the production boom began, a lot of new models began to roll off the assembly line: two-door sedan Fiat 500, Fiat 1100B and 1500D station wagons, and a year later Fiat 500C, 1100E and 1500E. The 50s began with the launch of the Fiat 1400, a model with load-bearing body, which, since 1953, was the first Italian car offered also in diesel version. In the same year, Mirafiori produced the 1100/103 sedan and the versatile 103 TV.
In half a decade, the little Seicentos and Cinquecentos will change the face of Italy by making the car accessible to everyone. Produced by the millions, these cars introduced the Italians to the rest of the world and became a symbol of the economic miracle embodied in the country's industrial transformation. In the early 1960s, the company was privatized again. The concern is headed by the grandchildren of J. Agnelli Sr., Umberto and Giovanni Jr., introducing new approaches to the organization of production. Given the far-sighted intuition of the management staff, the company issued subcompact car Fiat 850, produced in the amount of 3 million pieces. In 1966, Giovanni Agnelli, grandson of the founder, became Chairman of the company and initiated a number of projects to strengthen the company's position in the world market.
It was in 1966 that Fiat signed an agreement with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the construction of the Volga Automobile Plant VAZ in the city of Stavropol-on-Volga, ironically renamed by the communist authorities in honor of Togliatti, which almost destroyed FIAT in the 20s. The production capacity of VAZ was 2000 cars 124 per day. FIAT firmly entered our lives with the construction of the Volga Automobile Plant, which gave the country many millions of cars, a huge number of jobs at the parent plant and related plants. The Fiat model VAZ is still producing.
After all, "2105" and "2106" in terms of technical content are almost twins of the 124th "Fiat". So we can safely talk about this concern as the "chief" of the Soviet passenger car industry. It is impossible to imagine today's highways and city streets without Zhiguli. Moreover, when “Russian fiats” were sold abroad (in export version), due to the lower price, they successfully competed with the “Italians”. Yes and now middle class of society is aimed at VAZ cars, with many preferring the “classics”, that is, the FIAT-124 in the past. FIAT-124 was recognized as the car of the year already in 1967 - 30 years ago. Successful model!
In 1969, Lancha enters FIAT. At the same time, in parallel with the emergence of various models, from the “Dino” to the 128, 130, 127 and 126 series, Fiat was building car factories in Southern Italy, Poland and Brazil, spreading Italian automotive know-how around the world, including the experience gained after acquiring such famous brands like "Autobianchi" and "Lancia". During the period spanning the oil crisis of the 1970s, emphasis was placed on improving finished products and manufacturing processes, which helped achieve a higher level of automation and streamline production with more effective methods automotive industry. Started in 1978 with "Robogate", a revolutionary automation system, Ritmo took the company to a new level of development. The turning point in history automobile concern Fiat was 1983, when the famous "Uno" was first launched, a car that offered a wide range of innovations: in electronics, in the use of alternative materials, engine design and so on.
In 1980, the FIAT Panda compact car was introduced in Geneva. For 20 years of production, FIAT has offered 60 variants of the Panda model. The total number of cars produced is 4 million pieces. Despite its unassuming appearance, Panda was designed by ItalDesign under the direction of maestro D. Giugiaro. Today this model is one of the cheapest in Western Europe. FIAT Uno debuted in March 1983 in Geneva. It was the “number one” model range - Uno that remained the most popular on the Apennine Peninsula for more than a decade. FIAT Uno was taken off the assembly line in Italy in May 1995 and transferred for production to the Polish factory FlAT-Polsca (former FSM) in the city of Bielsko-Biala, the Turkish division of TOFAS-FIAT, as well as the Egyptian branch of El Nasr, where these models are still produced today .
On the Italian assembly line, FIAT Uno was replaced by the heir - FIAT Punto. The large front-wheel drive Fiat Croma, introduced by the main Italian automaker in December 1985, was a hatchback with a stepped back door, comfortable and roomy trunk, the so-called “2.5 volume”, this model was designed on a single, as it was then called, “pan-European” platform “TIPO 4”, on which Lancia Thema, SAAB 9000 and Alfa Romeo 164 were also based. The Croma model stayed on the assembly line until 1996, when the demand for it fell completely, and FIAT considered it unnecessary to continue its presence in this class.
In 1986, the Fiat Group acquires Alfa Romeo and its subsidiaries, thus strengthening its position in the global market. The policy of the company allowed us to soon introduce to the market new model Alfa 164 that resonated with ardent fans legendary brand. Following the Alfa 164, a series of models followed, among which was the Alfa 156, which was launched in 1997 and became the “Car of the Year”. The Tipo five-door hatchback debuted in January 1988, the Tempra four-door streamlined three-volume six-window sedan debuted in February 1990, the Tempra Station Wagon (also called the FIAT Tempra) five-door station wagon (also called the FIAT Tempra) and the RIT Marengo van debuted in May 1990. These models are made on single platform, however their design is somewhat different. On the same technological platform, the FIAT concern also released similar in size, but more expensive and prestigious models of the C and D segments - Lancia Delta and Alfa Romeo 33, and Lancia Dedra with Alfa 155.
Appearance Tipo resembles the scaled-up previous bestseller of the market - FIAT Uno, and yet the prestigious title of "Car of the Year 1989" went to him. However, Tipo did not receive wide recognition in the market. In October 1995, the Tipo and Tempra range was replaced in Italy by the Bravo/Brava and Magea model families. Punto/Sporting front wheel drive car of extra small class (3 and 5 door hatchback). Most popular in class, 17 basic models(including convertible). GT is the most powerful modification. Debut - autumn 1993. New generation of this model - July 1999. Sports coupe Fiat Coupe based on Fiat Bravo is one of the cheapest models of this type.
Coupe Turbo is the most powerful modification with high dynamic performance and max. speed of 250 km / h, competitor of compressor Mercedes-Benz CLK and Porsche Boxter. The model was first introduced in November 1993. In the summer of 2000, at the Turin Motor Show, it was shown new equipment Coupe 2.0 20V Turbo Plus with 220 hp engine and 6 speed gearbox. FIAT Ulysse, a minivan with a transverse engine and front-wheel drive. Produced jointly by Peugeot/Citroen and Fiat/Lancia. The premiere of an extensive family of 7-8-seat one-volume station wagons with increased capacity in the framework of the joint project U60 of FIAT and PSA took place in January 1994.
All models based on a common platform are manufactured at the new NordSEVEL plant in northern France. At the beginning of 1996, the cargo and cargo-passenger family (U64) of FIAT Scudo / Citroen Jumpy / Peugeot Expert mini-vans were introduced to the market, unified in terms of running gear and partially bodies with mini-vans of the U60 family. The U64 platform replaced the short wheelbase FIAT Talento. For the first time Fiat Barchetta was presented in the spring of 1995 at the Geneva Motor Show and was recognized as the most beautiful cabriolet of the salon. This is a front-wheel drive sports convertible - a spider with an open or hard removable top; based on the Fiat Punto, a joint development of Fiat and Pininfarina design studio.
In the summer of 2000, the “luxury” equipment of the Barchetta Riviera was shown at the Turin Motor Show. Fiat Bravo/Brava, class C cars with transverse engine and front wheel drive. The latest generation of Golf-class hatchbacks (segment C, after European classification) FIAT introduced in September 1995. And very successfully - the two-pronged Bravo / Brava won the honorary title of “Car of the Year 1996”. Fiat Marea model of the European class D, created on the Brava platform, but longer and more spacious than the latter. The “luxury” version of the HLX has driver's seat with electric adjustments, two side airbags and stereo-equipment class “Hi-Fi” with six speakers.
The model was first introduced in July 1996. In 1998, the “Arctic” version of the Fiat Marea was developed especially for Russia. FIAT Palio (Siena - Argentine modification of Fiat Palio) is a compact small class car. The model was first introduced in 1996. Initially, the car was produced in Brazil, since 1997 - in Argentina and Poland. In 1997, the production of a station wagon model began. In 1998 station wagon Fiat Palio began to be delivered to the European market. In 2000, the 3-door and 5-door Palio hatchbacks joined the Weekend station wagon.
In March-April 1998, the FIAT Seicento was introduced in Turin, an especially small car. Like Panda, this machine belongs to the European size class A. Produced in Poland, sold on the European market. Basic versions are produced: Young, S, SX, Citymatic, Suite, Sporting, as well as the Seicento Elettra electric car. The Multipla was first introduced in the fall of 1998. This is a middle-class minivan - the first car of this type in its class. The revived name of the multi-seat compact car 50s. In the summer of 2000 appeared New episode Special with a higher level of equipment.
In October 2000, the company launched the Doblo passenger-and-freight model at the Paris Motor Show. This car is offered both in passenger and cargo versions (Doblo Cargo). In Italy, the Stilo has been on sale since October 6, 2002. The three-door hatchback, which replaces the Bravo model, is addressed to fans of active driving. In turn, the 5-door car (it replaces the Fiat Brava) is a “family” option. Fiat Stilo will be produced within six to seven years. The total planned production volume is 2.5 million cars. The concern gradually acquired bankrupt companies and today FERRARI, LANCIA, and ALFA ROMEO gathered under the “roof” of FIAT. He also owns several tractor factories.
©. Photos taken from publicly available sources.
Sevel Plant, located near the Adriatic coast of Italy, occupies a colossal area of 1,260,000 square meters, although “only” 375,545 “squares” have been mastered directly for production here. However, if he increases the production of cars at the pace that is observed now, the remaining "empty" lands will not be enough for him. Suffice it to say that in last year 290,309 cars left the local assembly lines, and this one is planned to produce at least the same number!
However, we are primarily interested not in "points", "goals", "seconds", but in terms of the quality of products. And, you know, it seems that this FIAT production is almost the last place on earth where they build not.
This is evidenced by at least the fact that only last year the number of client requests for warranty cases decreased by almost 20% compared to 2015. And in 2017, the Italians expect them to be less by another 10-12 percent.
No wonder, therefore, that in recent years, Russian dealers of the brand have complained that their customers have become much less likely to change old "Fiat" vans for new ones. It is clear, of course, that the crisis raging in the country has made its own adjustments to the process of updating car fleets. However, in the light segment, a car not changed on time is not a saving, but a direct loss, given the serious mileage of each piece of equipment and the cost of maintaining and repairing the “old women”.
But it seems that this principle does not work in the case of c - cars reliably transport goods and people without ruining the owners often and without requiring replacement. And there are a number of quite objective explanations for this.
Let's start with the accessories. Almost half of the parts supplied to the SEVEL factory are made in Italy. Another quarter - from other European partners. But despite the fact that the quality of manufacturing parts that fall on the conveyor seems to be a priori no doubt, there is a strict input control. So, let's say, panels (and especially complex configurations) from which the body is cooked are checked not only for compliance with the specified dimensions, geometric and other parameters, but also for the exact - down to microns - location of connection points with each other. And absolutely indecently-close attention is paid to moving body elements. It is clear that all "control and accounting" is carried out by electronics.
And here, in general, it must be said that the share of manual labor at this plant is confidently tending to zero. In body assembly shops, for example, it does not exceed ten percent - cars are cooked by robots. By the way - self-diagnosing. Machines are taught to assess their condition and in case of any "malaise" they call a repair team. And that's not counting the planned maintenance work for oil change or maintenance of their engines. And the effect of the use of robotics is impressive - for the last 13 years, the conveyor here has been functioning like the most accurate Swiss watch - not running ahead and not being late for a second.
And work without emergency work, as you understand, most directly affects the quality of all welding processes and procedures. And, by the way, there are a lot of them. For reference: the FIAT Ducato body is welded, or to be more precise, soldered at 12,000 points. Basically, we repeat, by the method of spot welding, since it is both more economical and, most importantly, more reliable than the newfangled laser. The latter in FIAT is used in places that are constantly visible to a person - mainly at window openings.
And by the way: did you know that the Ducato's driver's and passenger's doors are not "solid", but consist of two parts for reliability? The first, narrow and massive, is attached to the body, and the second (the one with the window) is welded to it. In general, 722 robots are engaged in welding work in the body production - neither more nor less. And another 59 are passionate about painting cars (people take up brushes and spray guns only where the robot’s hand is not yet able to reach.
But where a person still rules the ball is in the final assembly shops - here, alas, there are too many small and delicate operations that engineering thought could not mechanize. And from the point of view of the employer, this is the most costly production site, since a lot of resources are spent on combating the notorious human factor. Suffice it to say that there is a post here, whose duties include checking all, without exception, cars coming off the assembly line. The brigade involved in this process “rings”, “looks”, “probes” and “sniffs” finished car from all sides. The work is hellish considering that in this shop the car receives more than 4000 different parts, including the engine, transmission and chassis.
And if the “Fiat OTK” discovers a defect, then it calls the foreman of the team that screwed up to eliminate it. It happens very lively.
No one calls anyone, does not turn on the siren and does not send a messenger. It's just that cheerful music starts playing in the workshop, and an error code lights up on a special scoreboard indicating those responsible for it.
It is curious that after the marriage is eliminated, the memory of it remains forever in the form of the so-called BAR code in the electronic passport of the car. Which, by the way, is very useful for its future owner, since they have access to this "case history" official dealers brands all over the world, including Russian ones. That is, in the event of an unexpected and unforeseen breakdown, they have the opportunity to quickly understand whether it is connected with the “childhood” of the ward.
And such close attention to the quality of products is understandable. In particular, because the main sales market is Germany, where the Italians are almost on an equal footing with Mercedes, occupying after it
FIAT S.p.A. (™: FIAT- an acronym for Italian. Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino, translated Italian car factory Turin) is an Italian manufacturer of automobiles, engines, a financial and industrial association based in Turin (Piedmont region).
Fiat car assembly plants are located all over the world. largest factory of those located outside of Italy is in Brazil. Also, its production sites are located in Argentina and Poland. Fiat has long licensed its products worldwide, regardless of political or cultural persuasion. Joint ventures are located in France, Turkey, Egypt, South Africa, India and China.
FIAT activities
The group's activities were initially focused on the production of commercial vehicles, industrial and agricultural equipment. During its existence, the company has extended its activities to many other areas in manufacturing and financial services. It is the largest Italian and world-wide concern with 1,063 companies with a total of 223,000 employees, 111,000 of which are employed in 61 countries outside of Italy. Automotive
Fiat Group is Italy's largest transport manufacturer, producing a wide range of vehicles from microcars to Ferrari sports cars, vans and trucks (from Ducato to Iveco). In addition to Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A, the Fiat Group includes the following companies:- Ferrari S.p.A.
- Iveco S.p.A.
- Maserati S.p.A.
- Abarth & C.S.p.A.
- Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A.
- Fiat Automobiles S.p.A.
- Fiat Professional
- Lancia Automobiles S.p.A.
The company produces passenger cars under the brands Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Ferrari, Maserati and trucks under the Iveco brand. Fiat is also one of the largest manufacturers of agricultural and construction equipment in the world. The long-term crisis forced the company to sell the aircraft building, publishing and a number of other divisions.
Unlike passenger cars, FIAT has a traditionally strong position in commercial vehicles. April 2009 trademark Fiat Professional has set a historical sales record with a market share of 14.9% in Western Europe. This figure propelled Fiat to the top spot among commercial vehicle manufacturers.
International award European car year, Fiat Group got 12 times, more than any other company.
Agricultural and construction equipment
The Fiat Group is owned by CNH Global (which includes Case Construction, Case IH, Flexi-Coil, Kobelco, New Holland, New Holland Construction and Steyr) and Fiat-Hitachi Construction. CNH is the second largest agricultural equipment manufacturer in the world (after Deere & Company.). CNH is also the third largest construction equipment manufacturer (after Caterpillar Inc. and Komatsu). CNH accounts for approximately 20% of Fiat Group's profits.commercial vehicles
Commercial vehicles (Iveco and Seddon Atkinson), buses (Iveco and Irisbus) and fire trucks (Camiva, Iveco and Magirus), Ariete military vehicles.List of some of Fiat's small commercial vehicles: Fiat Ducato, Fiat Scudo and Fiat Doblò Cargo.
Motorcycles
In 1959, Piaggio comes under the control of the Agnelli family (Italian: Agnelli). As a result, in 1964, the air and motorcycle divisions were separated into independent companies: the airline was named IAM Rinaldo Piaggio. To date, the airline is owned by the Piero Ferrari family (Italian: Piero Ferrari), who also still holds 10% of the Ferrari automaker.Vespa prospered until 1992 when Giovanni Alberto Agnelli became CEO - but by that time Agnelli was already ill with cancer and died in 1997. In 1999 Morgan Grenfell acquired Piaggio.
aircraft industry
Fiat itself was a major aircraft manufacturer, specializing mainly in the production of military aircraft. After the First World War, Fiat merged several small Italian aircraft manufacturers (Pomilio, Ansaldo, etc.). The most famous Fiat biplane fighters of the 1930s are the Fiat CR.32 and Fiat CR.42. Other notable developments are the CR.20, G.50, G.55 fighters and the Fiat BR.20 bomber. In the 1950s, the company developed the Aeritalia G.91, a light ground attack aircraft. Fiat Aviazione subsequently merged with Aerfer to new company Aeritalia.History of FIAT
- In 1899 FIAT was founded by a group of investors, among whom was Giovanni Agnelli
- In 1969 The Fiat group took control of the Lancia automobile company, founded in 1906 by Vincenzo Lancia.
- In the 1980s and especially in the 1990s, due to reliability problems, the prestige of the FIAT brand was greatly reduced. In 1984, FIAT was forced to leave the US market, in 1989 - from the Australian market. In the late 1990s, Fiat Auto (the automotive division of the concern) became unprofitable. Record losses reached in 2002 - 4.2 billion euros. In January 2003, the permanent president of the company, J. Agnelli Jr., died.
- In 2005 produced more than 1.697 million vehicles (4% less than in 2004). In 2005, Fiat S.p.A. fell by 17% to $55.1 billion, profit was $148 million.
- In 2005 FIAT was able to end the year with a profit for the first time in a long time. In 2006, FIAT's share of the European market rose to 7.6%. In 2007, the net profit of Fiat S.p.A. increased by 78% to 2.05 billion euros. In 2008, due to the global economic crisis, the group's profit decreased, but FIAT's share in the European market increased to 8.3%.
- In 2009 The company is facing serious financial difficulties. Losses of Fiat Group for the first half of 2009 amounted to 590 million euros, while for the same period a year earlier the company received a net profit of 1.07 billion euros. The company attributes the losses, in particular, to the global financial crisis.