Kearny Mesa FIAT

1899-1911 | FIAT was Founded 
On 11 July 1899 at Palazzo Bricherasio, the company charter of "Società Anonima Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino" was signed. Among the members of the Board of Directors, Giovanni Agnelli stood out in the group of investors and won recognition for his determination and strategic vision. In 1902 he became the Managing Director of the company.

1912-1925 | The Lingotto Factory 
In 1916 the construction of Lingotto started under the direction of Giacomo Mattè Trucco. 
The Factory, the largest in Europe, occupied five floors and had a futuristic test track on the roof. It soon became the emblem of the Italian automotive industry and was completed in 1922.

1926-1938 | Falling Back on the Domestic Market 
During the years of Mussolini's autarchic policy, Fiat too had to rescale its plans for international presence and concentrate on the domestic market. In the Thirties trucks and commercial vehicles underwent considerable technological development and at the same time the aviation and railway sectors grew.

1939-1951 | Second World War 
During the war years there was a drastic reduction in the production of cars, while the construction of commercial vehicles increased considerably.

1952- 1964 | Diesel 
In 1953 the first FIAT diesel engined vehicle was presented, the 1400 diesel.

1965-1977 | The Economic Boom and Social Unrest 
Growth continued in exports as well as production: the trend showed an increase from one car every 96 inhabitants to one every 28.  In the meantime FIAT boosted its presence in southern Italy by setting up numerous factories there. There was also an increase in trade union conflicts: in 1969, total hours on strike reached 15 million.

1978-1990 | The Robogate System 
In 1978 the "Robogate" system was created, the new flexible robotized system for assembling the bodywork. It was the road to innovation and the automation of production.             

1991-2003 | The New Cars of the 1990s 
After the debut of the FIAT Tempra in 1990, the 500 came out in 1991. Two years later, in 1993, it was the moment of FIAT Punto (named "Car of the Year" in 1995) and FIAT Coupé, with bodywork designed by Pininfarina and Centro Stile FIAT.

2004-2007 | The Restyling of the Logo for FIAT Idea 
FIAT Idea was the first MPV created by FIAT but also the first car with the task of communicating the brand's new 'mission': FIAT Idea displayed the round logo, renewed and proposed by Centro Stile FIAT to evoke the emblem designed to celebrate the Company's 100th Anniversary. It was also meant to get across the most significant change in FIAT car design: more attention to high-tech content and intelligent solutions designed to simplify several aspects of daily life in the car. Sergio Marchionne takes over as CEO.

2008-2012 | FIAT Returns to USA 
FIAT S.p.A. and Chrysler LLC announce intention to form global alliance. FIAT takes a 20% stake in Chrysler and gains access to the North American distribution network. In 2009 FIAT acquires Chrysler. March 2011, FIAT 500 and 500c is introduced to North American market.