Facts You Didn’t Know About Fiat: Not Just Cars

They Started in Publishing

Fiat began back in 1899 not by making cars but as a top book house. They started up with 800,000 lire ($3.2 million today), making tech books. They reached 50,000 readers with their big books on how things are made and work. 카지노api

They Then Moved Into More

The turn to Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino marked Fiat’s step into new work. Other than cars, Fiat built:

• Train lines
• Plane engines (12,000 in WWI)
• Big bits of tech
• Ocean tools

They Changed Tech Big Time

Fiat did well in tech:

• The first car made in one big part changed car look
• MultiAir tech made engines work better
• New ways to power many things
• Big changes in making stuff

They Helped in War and Air

In World War I, Fiat was key as a war tool maker, making:

• 12,000 plane engines
• Top cars for war
• Big tools for work
• Needed tools for moving stuff

All the stuff they made and their new tech keeps changing norms, putting Fiat far more than just cars.

Fiat Started with Books

Fiat’s Start with Books in Turin

Fiat’s deep past began in 1899 with books, before cars. Giovanni Agnelli and friends set up the first spot at Palazzo Bricherasio, Turin, starting with books on how things work. The first cash, 800,000 lire (about $3.2 million now), built top-level print work.

Fiat Led in Book-Making

Fiat’s book part led in making Italy’s top tech books. From 1899 to 1900, they put out over 200 tech books, making big waves with 50,000 copies. These books were key for knowing tech and how to use machines.

They Then Built Cars

The move from books to cars was in 1900-1902. While making cars, Fiat kept up the books until 1906. These books made the rules for car making for a long time. The old book place at Via Marconi 4 is still around as a Fiat old stuff spot, showing the unique start of the firm with books.

More Than Cars: Trains and Planes

Fiat’s Big Work with Trains

Fiat’s step into trains really grew in the early 1900s with Fiat Ferroviaria in 1917, becoming Italy’s top train maker. A key time was in 1969 with their Pendolino train tech, making trains go fast on turns.

Their Early Air Work

Fiat’s air work started in 1908, setting up Società Italiana Aviazione, which became Fiat Aviazione. They made their first big engine, the SA 8/75, that year. In World War I, Fiat showed their skill with 12,000 plane engines, playing a big part in the air war.

They Kept Up the Fly Work

In 1969, Fiat Aviazione and Aerfer came together to start Aeritalia. They did well, making key parts for big planes, like Boeing 767 wings. Their air work continues with Leonardo S.p.A., creating top-flight parts and systems for all, keeping Fiat flying high.

The Story of the Name FIAT

FIAT: The Name Beginnings

FIAT stands for “Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino,” which means “Italian Car Factory of Turin.” It was started in 1899 by Giovanni Agnelli and backers, linking its roots to Turin, Italy.

The Name Over Years

The name became simply “Fiat” in 1906, moving from being all caps but keeping its meaning. Turin’s past in work is big for the brand, starting with its first spot at Corso Dante and then the big Lingotto plant in 1923.

Picking the Name

The word “fiat” means “let it be done” in Latin, but that’s not why they picked the name. They chose FIAT to show their Italian good work and Turin’s can-do spirit. This name shows their drive for new ways in cars and Italian make.

The Past Work in Turin

Choosing Turin was a smart choice, using its place as a big work city. The FIAT make past in Turin is a big part of Italian car history, setting rules for how cars are made and how they look that still touch car making around the world.

Fiat’s Big Step in Cars: From Ferrari to Chrysler

First Big Buys

Fiat’s move to a big world car name started with buying a 50% part in Ferrari in 1969. This move marked Fiat’s growth into big car names. That year, they also took up Lancia, and then Alfa Romeo in 1986, becoming a big name in Italy’s car world.

Coming Together with Chrysler

The big move was in 2009 when Fiat took up a 20% part in Chrysler during the US car maker’s low time. This led to a full join by 2014, making Fiat Chrysler Cars (FCA). This got Fiat into big US names like Jeep, Dodge, and Ram, making their reach far bigger.

Starting Stellantis

In 2021, an important move happened when FCA came together with PSA Group to start Stellantis, making it the world’s fourth top car maker by make. This coming together put Fiat’s work with big names like Peugeot, Citroën, and Opel, letting them share tech and help each other across a wide car list.

Fiat in Wars and Their New Tech

Big Changes in World War I

Fiat’s war make grew a lot in WWI, making over 20,000 war trucks, 16,000 plane engines, and 3,000 war planes for Italy. The big Lingotto shop turned all to war making, putting Fiat as Italy’s top war producer by 1918.

New Tech in Air

The making of the A.12 plane engine in 1916 was a big leap in tech, powering many Italian fight planes like the known Fiat CR.1. This put Fiat ahead in war air tech.

Help in World War II

Fiat’s war help grew in WWII with many new plans:

• CR.42 Falco two-wing fight plane
• G.55 Centauro fight plane
• L3/35 small tank
• M13/40 mid tank
• SPA-Viberti AS.42 desert car

Long-lasting Tech Impact

Fiat’s war work led to big leaps in:

• Working with metal
• How things move in air
• How engines run

These leaps in tech changed how Fiat made cars after the wars, starting new ways in how cars are built.