Here’s a fun post from our friends in the UK:
Fiat are known for their technological innovation in each and every car they place on our forecourts and as a result have become one of the most famous car manufacturers in the world. Their cars have been on our roads for over a century and have changed the world of car manufacturing with their innovative designs and safety mechanisms. Fiat has made history for their unique vehicles and continues to do so in 2015 – with more of their cars on UK roads than anywhere else, it is no wonder they are so well known.
Their range of cars produces some of the lowest CO2 emissions making them not only stylish but environmentally friendly. So, with Fiat being the most famous automobile companies in the UK, we have decided to provide you with 10 fun and interesting facts about the company and their vehicles.
- The first automobile was manufactured by Fiat in 1899 at its factory in Turin, Italy. This is where the company’s headquarters are still located – and the brand name is an acronym of the words Fabbrica Italiano Automobili Turino (gee, I thought it was Fix it Again, Tony – just kidding!)
- The original Fiat 500 was one of the smallest cars in the world at the time of its production, measuring 127 inches in length, 50 inches in width and 54 inches in height.
- The Italian nickname for the car was “topolino,” which translates literally as little mouse.
- Three years after its redesign in 2007, the Fiat 500 model became the first Italian car to sell more units abroad (54% of its total sales) than at home. A popular city car, its re-launch was a great success all over the world, including in the U.S., where it was chosen to herald Fiat’s official return to the American market after a 27 year absence.
- Fiat has acquired many companies over the years, buying shares in companies like Lancia, Ferrari, Maserati, Chrysler and Alfa Romeo. In 2012, Fiat had acquired a stake of roughly 60% in Chrysler.
- Another compact car from Fiat, the Panda won the European Car of the Year award in 2004. The Fiat 500 won the same award four years later in 2008. The first Fiat to win the award was the Fiat 124 model, which came out top in the year of 1967.
- In 2009, the British School of Motoring (BSM) signed a deal with Fiat UK that meant it swapped its learner vehicle from the Vauxhall Corsa to the new Fiat 500. In the first four years of the partnership, Fiat UK supplied 14,000 cars to BSM.
- Fiat is the leader of the car market in Brazil. The South American giant is the single biggest producer of Fiat cars outside of the brand’s native Italy.
- On the 19th November 2012, the company reached a major milestone when the one millionth Fiat 500 rolled off the Fiat Auto Poland production line at its Tychy factory.
- Fiat manufactured a grand total of 1,704,021 cars during 2012.
Earthgarage – Greener Car. Fatter Wallet.