FIAT was founded in 1899 by Giovanni Agnelli and others. The name is an abbreviation of Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino and has become the actronym "Fiat" in 1906.

Having started with 50 workers on the 697cc Tipo A, 11 years later this number was increased to 3500 worker with the 5.7 liter Tipo 4.
In 1923 the Lingotto factory was opened. Production of cars started on ground level and ended 5 levels higher on the roof where the famous test track is.

Fiat started producing cars in other countries: Polski-Fiat was founded in 1932, Zastava in 1954, Premier (India) in 1955 and ultimately Lada in 1966 in the Soviet Union.
1983 saw the withdraw of Fiat from the USA and 1996 the introduction of the first 'worldcar', the Palio.
Rumour has that Fiat might return after 2005, when Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay are expected to join the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

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