Fiat

Italy’s industrial behemoth was formed in 1899 as the Societe Anonima Fabbrica Italiana di Automobili Torino. Co-founder Giovanni Agnelli became chairman in 1920 and his family continues to be inextricably linked with the Fiat company. Operations expanded beyond Italy in the 1930s, and also beyond cars as Fiat diversified into marine, rail, steel, aircraft and agricultural sectors. The popular 500 and 600 compact rear-wheel drive models emerged during Italy’s economic boom of the 1950s. The brand continues to be renowned for small city cars – also thanks to the likes of the Cinquecento, Uno and Panda – though sports car highlights include 1972’s mid-engine X1/9 and 1995’s Barchetta roadster. The Fiat umbrella incorporates the Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lancia and Maserati brands, while the company also rescued Chrysler from liquidation in 2009 to form US-Italian alliance FiatChrysler. Now has official presence in Australia after Fiat brand was returned to local roads in 2006 by independent importer Ateco.