Benvenuti amici!
For some time, I've been asked if and/or when I intended to write about the FIAT S.p.A./EXOR business with less sex appeal than some better known mechanical creations introduced by the Italian automaker. To most, FIAT is Spiders, Sports Coupés… cool & unique runabouts, family wagons and Multi Purpose Vehicles (MPV). To some, FIAT is even Compact Utility Vehicles (CUV). But FIAT is also nautical, aviation, trains, agricultural and construction machinery. The month of March marks the end of 'seasonal death' & the renewal of life. Working people, from the sparsest rural areas to the densest cities, kick their labor into high gear. In some parts of the world, their work is done with machinery… machinery that also comes from our brand of choice.
Disclaimers:
1) I am neither an expert nor am I a follower of this area of the Agnelli business. But I believe it is important to make some attempt to include it on this blog… to add some small record of this important part of the FIAT life experience. You may be a little surprised to learn FIAT is at all involved in the work we do at the business end of our commute.
2) I have chosen to exclude military use vehicles, despite recognizing there were… no doubt… many innovations sponsored by the Axis & Allied sides of the world wars. The work vehicles, listed here, are only meant to give a small glimpse into the historical depth of FIAT activity in these transport segments.
With those declaimers out of the way, allow me to explain what you can expect to find in this entry. Two phases of activity & vehicles are represented here, as the third phase of FIAT Industrial life, CNH Industrial, is relatively new. That chapter has yet to be written.
So, sit back and prepare to (hopefully) learn a bit more about the incredible motorized journey of this Italian dynasty. Read on...
FIAT Veicoli Industriali (FVI) - Established 1903, Defunct 1974
From 1903 to 1925, FIAT offered no fewer than sixteen different civil models; trucks & buses. Italy's undeniable place in the new industrial age was forever written set in stone, scribed on paper and etched in metal. There was still much to do. From the time FVI was founded until it was merged with Officine Meccanniche, Lancia Veicoli Speciali, Magirus (German) and Unic (French) to form IVECO, in 1975, FIAT introduced nearly seventy different civil models; tractors, trucks, buses & trolleys. Below are some of the earliest examples of three of said segments.
In order to gain market strength, by combining efforts/specialties, three FIAT-owned Italian brands merged with industrial companies from two foreign countries; one from France and one from Germany. The new Torino-based company would share platforms and technological innovations to prop up their respective national motorized industries. Their geographic locations made/make business in Western & Eastern Europe an easy operation.
Today, IVECO is a brand under which various light, medium and heavy vehicles are sold, since 2012 it has been solely controlled by CNH Industrial (another FIAT S.p.A./EXOR holding). Here are some examples of current FIAT and IVECO industrial models. While parent company names, the styling and sizes have changed quite a bit, the goal remains true to the dream of FIAT S.p.A. founder, don Giovanni Agnelli.
Just as we saw FIAT do in personal transport vehicles they did in agriculture, construction and mass transit. The company has always sought the most efficient way to mobilize everyday people. Be it Africa, America, Asia, Europe or Oceania, FIAT is there... helping us get to work and helping us work more effectively. Now, get out there and enjoy your commute. Maybe, you can grab yourself a cappuccino along the way.
Ciao!
@
Disclaimers:
1) I am neither an expert nor am I a follower of this area of the Agnelli business. But I believe it is important to make some attempt to include it on this blog… to add some small record of this important part of the FIAT life experience. You may be a little surprised to learn FIAT is at all involved in the work we do at the business end of our commute.
2) I have chosen to exclude military use vehicles, despite recognizing there were… no doubt… many innovations sponsored by the Axis & Allied sides of the world wars. The work vehicles, listed here, are only meant to give a small glimpse into the historical depth of FIAT activity in these transport segments.
With those declaimers out of the way, allow me to explain what you can expect to find in this entry. Two phases of activity & vehicles are represented here, as the third phase of FIAT Industrial life, CNH Industrial, is relatively new. That chapter has yet to be written.
So, sit back and prepare to (hopefully) learn a bit more about the incredible motorized journey of this Italian dynasty. Read on...
FIAT Veicoli Industriali (FVI) - Established 1903, Defunct 1974
The beginning of Agnelli activity in industry came near as quickly as they put their countrymen on the road (and track). The truck models, of course, were based upon the technological advancements made with their standard people movers. Each new model was purpose-designed and engineered. The first work vehicle produced by FIAT was based on a coach specifically multi-use designed. That's right, folks, shared platforms are not a new concept and the Italians have been creating vehicles on this engineering philosophy from the start.
FIAT 24hp: 1903
From 1903 to 1925, FIAT offered no fewer than sixteen different civil models; trucks & buses. Italy's undeniable place in the new industrial age was forever written set in stone, scribed on paper and etched in metal. There was still much to do. From the time FVI was founded until it was merged with Officine Meccanniche, Lancia Veicoli Speciali, Magirus (German) and Unic (French) to form IVECO, in 1975, FIAT introduced nearly seventy different civil models; tractors, trucks, buses & trolleys. Below are some of the earliest examples of three of said segments.
FIAT 505F: 1923
FIAT 635R: 1931
FIAT 2472 Viberti: 1958
IVECO (Industriali Veicoli Corporation) - Established 1975In order to gain market strength, by combining efforts/specialties, three FIAT-owned Italian brands merged with industrial companies from two foreign countries; one from France and one from Germany. The new Torino-based company would share platforms and technological innovations to prop up their respective national motorized industries. Their geographic locations made/make business in Western & Eastern Europe an easy operation.
Today, IVECO is a brand under which various light, medium and heavy vehicles are sold, since 2012 it has been solely controlled by CNH Industrial (another FIAT S.p.A./EXOR holding). Here are some examples of current FIAT and IVECO industrial models. While parent company names, the styling and sizes have changed quite a bit, the goal remains true to the dream of FIAT S.p.A. founder, don Giovanni Agnelli.
FIAT Doblò a/k/a RAM ProMaster
IVECO Daily Van
IVECO Indicar Mago 2 Midibus
IVECO TurboCity-U 480 Bus
IVECO EuroCargo
IVECO Stralis
IVECO EuroStar
IVECO Trakker 4x4 Rally Truck
IVECO Magirus Super Dragon X8
IVECO Autokran
Just as we saw FIAT do in personal transport vehicles they did in agriculture, construction and mass transit. The company has always sought the most efficient way to mobilize everyday people. Be it Africa, America, Asia, Europe or Oceania, FIAT is there... helping us get to work and helping us work more effectively. Now, get out there and enjoy your commute. Maybe, you can grab yourself a cappuccino along the way.
IVECO Massif
Vivere.Amare.Guidare.
Ciao!
@
