Guide Note

FIAT is the largest automotive manufacturer in Italy and specializes in designing engines. It has factories throughout the world, and its Brazilian branch is currently the largest. FIAT is both an acronym for "Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino" (Italian Automobile Factory of Turin), as well as the Latin word meaning, "let there be." The company also has financial and industrial branches, and is involved in everything from publishing to mechanical manufacturing.

Fast Facts

1. Stock symbol: F (BIT)
2. Annual revenue (2007): 58.529 billion euros
3. Founder: Giovannia Agnelli
4. Year established: 1899
5. Industry: Automobiles
6. Phone: +39-011-00-61111
7. HQ: Turin, Italy
8. CEO: Sergio Marchionne
9. Staff (as of 2006): 172,012

Key Dates

1. 1899: Founded and led by Giovanni Agnelli, in conjunction with several unnamed investors
2. 1903: Produces its first truck
3. 1908: First exports to the United States, and builds its first aircraft engine
4. 1910: Becomes the largest automotive company in Italy
5. 1925: Controls 87% of the Italian car market
6. 1945: Agnelli family removed from leadership due to its ties to Mussolini
7. 1963: Gianni Agnelli regains family control of company