FIAT’s 125th anniversary “Smiling to the future” event took place yesterday, 11th July, at the Lingotto building in Turin. The ceremony was both a celebration of a milestone and the beginning of a new chapter in the brand’s long history of success, social relevance, and leadership which has all been fuelled by a customer-first approach. The event was attended by members of the international press, representatives of public institutions and the top management of Stellantis. The occasion allowed the brand to showcase 2 new models, the Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani and the all-new Grande Panada, and to officially open the new Casa FIAT museum exhibition.
John Elkann, Stellantis Chairman, stated: “FIAT was born in 1899 out of a passion for progress. It was among the few companies that managed to transition from a craftsmanship stage to the industrial era. It represented the freedom to move anywhere for millions of people, and to do so with style. For 125 years we have never stopped working, seeking solutions, believing in our future, and defending tenaciously what we have built. We want to thank all the people who made possible for that Turin startup to become Stellantis today, one of the largest car manufacturers in the world.”
Carlos Tavares, Stellantis CEO, stated: "I'm delighted to be in the home of FIAT in Turin to celebrate 125 years and share the emotion of such a moment with all stakeholders. As one of the most iconic brands in our Stellantis constellation, FIAT brings true Italian flavour to the heart of our customers worldwide. For the third year in a row, FIAT is Stellantis number one brand in terms of volume. It leads in four domestic markets across the planet: Italy, Brazil, Turkey and Algeria. It drives the charge to offer clean, safe and affordable mobility to citizens around the world. I want to thank all of those who hold FIAT so dear since generations and work hard every day to ensure another 125 years of rich history. Fiat team shares the same passion and the same desire to always make our customers smile."
Olivier Francois, FIAT CEO and Stellantis Global Chief Marketing Officer, stated: “FIAT has been synonymous with social relevance over the last 125 years, offering our customers what they really need based on the times in which they are living. And our customers want iconic and affordable city cars; frugal and inclusive compacts; family mobility; commercial vehicles and, last but not the least, Abarth for everyday fun, which is exactly what FIAT offers. Currently we have launched FIAT's comeback to the global mainstream based on 3 pillars: Italian design and development, global platform and local relevance—and the Grande Panda is the first member of our new global family. Therefore, over the next decade, we’ll have the right offer for every customer. Because the customer is at the centre of everything for us.”
On July 11th 1899 in Turin, the articles of association were signed for the "Società Anonima Fabbrica Italiana di Automobili - Torino". Today, after having produced millions of cars, a common thread connects the brand’s past to its present and future: namely, a specific way of understanding cars which sets the brand apart at a global level to this day and has led to products which simplify everyday life and bring joy to the streets of the world. The celebration’s special guest was the 500e Giorgio Armani, the refined limited edition which will be distributed globally and pair Italian excellence to eco-sustainability. The event also starred the Fiat Grande Panda, the new global model which will kickstart the Italian brand’s new era and the first of a new generation of FIAT vehicles. Furthermore, the event premiered the first real images of two other models in the new global family—an SUV and a fastback—which were introduced last February as concepts and now are at an advanced stage of development and planned to be launched in the following years.
The celebrations held in Turin ended with a stunning parade of classic and contemporary FIAT vehicles which were divided into groups—icons, city cars, compact cars, family cars and light commercial vehicles—which showed themselves off on the Lingotto building’s legendary track to showcase the global Italian brand’s technological and historical heritage.
Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani
