Fiat History

Founded in 1899 by a group of investors, among whom was Giovanni Agnelli. In 1902, Agnelli became manager of the company, which has become one of the world's largest automakers. Signor Agnelli was a retired officer, and the company he established an army discipline and rigid order. Shortly after visiting head of FIAT enterprises Henry Ford Torino was installed Europe's first car assembly conveyor. During the First World War and early postwar years, the concern involved in the release of aircraft and tanks, such as the Fiat 3000. In the 1919-1920's of Fiat plants have survived a number of serious strikes, organized by the Communist Antonio Gramsci and Palmiro Togliatti. In fact, the concern to the management of Giovanni Agnelli returned only after coming to power of Benito Mussolini, but in 1945 he was a supporter of the fascist regime was removed from management. Shortly thereafter, Giovanni Agnelli died. In 1966, after the appointment of the president Vittorio Valletta, Fiat, signed an agreement to provide technical assistance to organizations in the USSR, the production of the Fiat 124, known in our country as the VAZ-2101. In 1969, Fiat Group companies gained control of the automaker Lancia, founded in 1906 by Vincenzo Lancia . In 1979, the holding also included Autobianchi and Ferrari, were later absorbed by brand Maserati and Alfa Romeo. By the 1980s, Fiat became the de facto monopoly of Italian car market. [1] In the 1980s, and especially in the 1990s due to problems with reliability of brand name Fiat has fallen dramatically. In 1984, Fiat was forced to resign from the U.S. market in 1989 - the market in Australia. In the late 1990s, Fiat Auto (Automotive Division) has become unprofitable. Losses reached a record high in 2002 - 4.2 billion euros. In January 2003, died on the permanent president George Agnelli Jnr. However, in 2005 for the first time Fiat has long been able to finish the year with a profit. In 2006, Fiat in the European market rose to 7.6%. In 2007, Fiat Group's net profit grew by 78% - to 2.05 billion euros. In 2007 «Fiat Veicoli Commerciali» underwent a rebranding «Fiat Professional». In 2008, due to the global economic crisis has decreased earnings of concern, but the share of Fiat in the European market rose to 8.3%. In 2009, the group once again faced with serious financial difficulties. Losses of Fiat Group for the I half of 2009 amounted to 590 million euros, while for the same period a year earlier the company posted a net profit of 1.07 billion euros . Net loss for the Fiat Group end of 2009 amounted to 838 million euros . Unlike passenger cars, the Fiat has traditionally strong positions in the field of commercial vehicles. In April 2009, the Fiat Professional brand has set a historical record of sales, reaching a 14.9% share of the market in Western Europe. This figure led Fiat to first place among manufacturers of commercial vehicles.