The original directors of FIAT was a wealthy former cavalry officer Giovanni Agnelli, Count Emanuele Bricherasio and Count Roberto Biscaretti.
It was Emanuele Bricherasio who first had the idea of setting up a car company based on the Welleyes model prototype built in 1898.
He also who first advanced in February 1899 the idea of building a modern new industrial complex. Emanuele Bricherasio not only served as the first vice president of the company’s board of directors, but also supplied the land that was initially chosen as the site for the new factory.
The first plant, inaugurated in 1900 at Corso Dante, had 35 employees and produced 24 automobiles.
Before World War I, FIAT built several experimental aircraft and airship power plant. In 1925, FIAT bought Aeronautica Ansaldo which was renamed Aeronautica d’Italia and became its aircraft division.
In 1920s, FIAT was producing 90 percent of Italy’s cars and the Agnelli family controlled 70 per cent of the company.
By the first decade of the new century, with industrialization of its manufacturing processes, it had become Italy most important car making concern.
Initially created to build car, FIAT immediately diversified production into the field of commercial vehicles, ships, airplanes, trains, agricultural tractors and construction machinery.
History of FIAT
