FIAT’s 125th anniversary “Smiling to the future” event has just come to a close at the Lingotto building in Turin. The ceremony was both a celebration of a milestone which few automakers reach and the beginning of a new chapter in the brand’s long history of success, social relevance, and leadership which has all been fueled by a customer-first approach. The important event (watch at the following link) was attended by members of the international press, representatives of public institutions – including Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy, Sen. Adolfo Urso, Vice President of the Senate, Sen. Licia Ronzulli, President of the Commission for Productive Activities, Commerce and Tourism of the Chamber of Deputies, On. Alberto Luigi Gusmeroli, President of the Piedmont Region, Alberto Cirio, Mayor of Turin, Stefano Lo Russo – and the top management of Stellantis: John Elkann, Chairman of Stellantis, Carlos Tavares, Stellantis CEO, and Olivier Francois, FIAT CEO and Stellantis CMO.
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 flavor 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 is 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. Moreover, since its beginnings, FIAT has demonstrated a strong propension towards internationality, with models produced throughout the globe, while keeping its heart and soul in the Piedmont capital where it was founded. And today with the Grande Panda, thanks to the synergy and opportunities provided by Stellantis, a new season has arrived for FIAT which will be characterized by inclusivity, ingenuity, Italian style, and a global spirit.
Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani
An important partnership between Giorgio Armani and FIAT was announced to mark FIAT’s milestone anniversary, coinciding symbolically with the birthday of Maestro Giorgio Armani. These two globally recognized Italian brands, having previously collaborated in 2020 with the launch of an exclusive, one-off 500e, have united again to create what may be the ultimate expression of Made in Italy on four wheels: the 500e Giorgio Armani. Never before have two global icons of Italian design, style, craftsmanship, ingenuity, and success come together to create such an “instant classic.” As suggested by the commercial aired during the event, this is a car to be worn, not driven—a tribute to the mastery of Giorgio Armani and the Centro Stile FIAT in Turin. The designer collaborated closely with the FIAT team for months to distil the essence of the two brands into a single creation. The same meticulous attention to detail, care for materials, colors, and style that goes into a new car or a fashion collection was applied here. Now, FIAT and Giorgio Armani have hit the catwalk together with the new 500e Giorgio Armani on the “La Pista 500”.
This level of craftsmanship, treatment, and detailing is rarely found in this segment, but is a hallmark of the 500, which epitomizes Made in Italy and Italian excellence. These features gain even more significance and value having been developed in collaboration with the greatest name in Italian fashion. Proudly produced at the FIAT Mirafiori plant in Turin, the new 500e Giorgio Armani is exclusively available in a hatchback model that represents the unmatched elegance of Giorgio Armani and the bold personality of the Fiat 500e.
Two unique and exclusive colors have been created for the 500e Giorgio Armani: Dark Green Micinalised, a contemporary and technical color that firmly reflects Giorgio Armani’s style and taste, and Ceramic Greige, a sophisticated and refined shade invented by Armani that blends gray and beige to create both the color and name.
For the exteriors, the Italian designers aimed to reduce contrasts and decoration to achieve a more monochromatic effect: pure, minimal, and in line with Armani’s style. The standout exterior design element is the wheels, exclusively designed to represent the GA logo on a macro scale. They become the car’s star feature, ensuring it stands out from afar. The specific design not only underlines the partnership but also improves aerodynamic performance with a slightly 3D surface. The warm burnished bi-tone anodized effect and the light lateral grooves add an extremely refined touch.
The interiors showcase meticulous craftsmanship, with chevron stitching and three-dimensional patterns on the central seat inserts reminiscent of classic tailoring techniques. Elegant and of the finest quality, the materials used inside the vehicle can be combined with innovative and technical processes, such as laser-cut wood for the dashboard insert, which is as soft and enveloping as luxurious fabric, or with highly artisanal solutions such as the intricate embroidery. The new 500e Giorgio Armani features the Milanese Maestro’s logo on the wheels and seats, while his signature appears on the dashboard, interior door, and rear window.
The car includes Full LED Infinity Design headlamps and a glass roof. Technologically, it comes equipped with a premium JBL audio system, a 7″ TFT Display, a 10.25″ Touch Screen NAV, DAB Radio, and Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto.
The 500e Giorgio Armani is powered by an electric motor with an output of 87 kW and 118 hp, offering a range of up to 320 km in the WLTP combined cycle. It also includes the most advanced ADAS and Level 2 assisted driving system. In line with the brand’s mission to promote Made in Italy at a global level, the limited-edition model will be sold in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa, Japan, and Australia from next year.
COMMENTS