Fiat

The Italian manufactured Fiat automobiles is now owned by the multinational Fiat Chrysler Automobiles corporation through a move which happened in 2007. Originally founded in 1899, Fiat Automobiles is the largest car manufacturer in Italy. They started a plant in the United States in 1908 in Poughkeepsie, New York.

The company focuses almost exclusively on supermini and city cars as sales in that area typically account for over 80 percent of their total sales. However, in recent years a few sedans, station wagons and hatchbacks have finally resurfaced. While they are now sold again in the United States, Fiat automobiles pick up most of their business in Europe, and at one point, they held more than 9 percent of the European automobile market.

Though Europe is likely the biggest market for Fiat, they have also recently begun more focused efforts in Brazil and Argentina. Fiat also operates plants in South Africa and has a limited presence in Asia.

Fiat’s presence in North America has been sporadic. The first U.S. factory was only open for less than a decade, closing its doors when the United States entered World War I. The company returned to the U.S. in the 1950s. Though they had some years of moderate success, their cars became known for their rust issues in the 1970s and 1980s.

Fiat began to stand for “Fix it again, Tony” as annual sales fell by 85,000 in only seven years. The company left the United States in 1983, but returned in 2009 with the Fiat 500, though the cars are still produced at Chrysler’s facility in Toluca, Mexico.

Fiat has been an innovator when it comes to going green. In Europe, they have been recognized as having the lowest average value for carbon dioxide emissions. Their fully electric Fiat 500e has seen mixed reviews. When it was initially released, it actually lost them significant money. In recent years, however, the model has likely regained some popularity.

When it comes to awards, Fiat has a lot going for them, especially in Europe, claiming the European Car of the Year award a mind-boggling 12 times, most recently in 2008 with the Fiat 500. In the rally car space, they’ve had bursts of success through the years.

From 1972 to 1974, the Fiat 124 Sport Spider performed well in the World Rally Championships. Even more success was had from 1976 to 1981 by the Fiat 131 Abarth, as it won 18 World Rally Championships in those five years, also earning the World Rally Championship 3 times. After a long drought, Fiat burst back onto the scene in 2003 when they won the Italian Rally Championship and then dominated the European Rally Championship in 2006 and from 2009 to 2011.

Fiat currently holds some big sponsorships in Europe as the official sponsor of the English Football League. They also sponsor a handful of football clubs including the English clubs Aston Villa and Fulham and the renowned Italian football club, Juventus.