People only just learning what Fiat actually stands for after 125 years

06 February 2024 , 11:15

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The Fiat 500, known initially as 'The Cinquecento' was introduced by Fiat Company in July 1957 (Image: Getty Images)

Its history can be traced back to 1899 - but many drivers are only just learning what Fiat actually stands for. The Italian automobile manufacturer, founded by Giovanni Agnelli, produced its first car - the Fiat 3 1/2 HP - 125 years ago after basing it on a third-party design.

In recent times, its Fiat 500 secured its place as a best-seller in 11 European countries, with them now being sold in more than 100 countries worldwide. But despite their popularity, some drivers have no idea what its brand name means, with one Quora user asking: "What does "FIAT" mean in Italian and why was this name chosen for FIAT cars?"

According to Fiat's website, the "acronym F.I.A.T. stands for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino". While the word Fiat also means 'let there be' in Latin, the company actually got its name from the location of the first manufacturing plant, in Turin, Italy.

A statement on Fiat of Scottsdale reads: "Fiat’s story begins in 1900 when Italian entrepreneur Giovanni Agnelli opened the first Fiat factory in Turin, Italy. Agnelli founded the car company with a group of local investors, calling their newest venture: Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino (FIAT), or Italian Automobile Factory of Turin.

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"Their first factory was quite small, employing only 150 people on a daily basis. But the tiny automaker proved successful in its home country, which cleared the way for Agnelli to establish the first Fiat factory in the U.S. in 1908." The company expanded its offerings to the US after World War Two, rebuilding many of its former operations in the States.

The statement adds: "From that point on, Fiats became popular roadsters in the U.S., especially among young Americans - a trend that continues to this day. Fiat left its U.S. operations behind in the early 1980s, but demand for the automobile only increased over the years.

"This led Fiat to once again reestablish itself in the States in early 2011. Since then, Fiat has once again captured the hearts of American drivers who want excitement and fun out of their lives. Drivers have found this in Fiat’s full line of cars, including the immensely popular Cinquecento family that provides the spunky driving feel that young Americans are seeking, all with affordable prices and excellent fuel economy."

Paige Freshwater