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Geografia d'Europa |
Fiat - an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino - was founded in 1899 by a group of investors, among them Giovanni Agnelli, with the acumen to take advantage of the creative ferment and favorable social environment that characterized Turin, a city that ever since has been a laboratory of innovations, especially in the field of manufacturing. Fiat automobiles achieved instant popularity, not only on the Italian market, but also internationally, as a luxury item designed for a consumer elite.
From the very outset, Fiat established sales outlets and manufacturing plants abroad. One example was the Poughkeepsie factory in the United States, which was inaugurated in 1909. During this period, the Company created the environment for a period of remarkable industrial growth by expanding the scope of its activities,which ranged from cars to trucks, from tractors to trains and from marine engines to aircraft.
This approach reflected the vision of Giovanni Agnelli, who was already planning methods to strengthen the production system. The result was the Lingotto Project - in its day, the biggest automotive complex in Europe - which went on stream in 1922. The project was based on a specific strategy: to transform the automobile from a product for the elite to one available to the steadily growing mass of ordinary consumers. This was accomplished, thanks to the new principles of industrial organization based on the assembly line.
Senator Giovanni Agnelli, who died in 1945, was not destined to see the great expansion that took place under his close associate and successor as Chairman, Vittorio Valletta. A key element in this expansion was the Mirafiori plant, inaugurated in 1939 to enlarge production capacities.Valletta was convinced that Italy was on the verge of a phase of immense industrial growth. Fiat’s task was to produce the type of automobile that the big American firms were not making: cars with smaller engines that everyone could afford.
Midway through the 50's decade, the little Seicentos and Cinquecentos changed the face of Italy, making cars available to everyone. Produced by the million, these affordable cars introduced Italians to the world of the automobile and became a symbol of the economic miracle, embodied in the industrial transformation of their country.
Fiat built production plants in Southern Italy, Poland, Russia and Brazil, disseminating throughout the world Italian automotive know-how - including the expertise gained through the acquisition of the Autobianchi and Lancia brands - and its unique industrial design. During this period, owing in part to the oil crisis of the 70’s, the emphasis was on product and process innovation, which would lead, with the aid of increasingly high levels of automation, to a new method of car-making. The production of the Ritmo, launched in 1978, represented a milestone in manufacturing technology, thanks to the use of Robogate, a revolutionary automated system.
The true turning point in the renewal of Fiat Auto occurred in 1983 with the introduction of the Uno, a car that offered a wide gamut of innovations: in electronics, in the use of alternative materials and in engine technology, with the adoption of the Fire 1000 clean powerplant. This strategy of renewal was also reflected in the Group's industrial policy and resulted in the acquisition of Alfa Romeo and its affiliates by Fiat Auto in 1986.
But Fiat has never meant automobiles alone. Over the years, it has developed a wide variety of activities and products, ranging from agricultural and construction machinery to aviation equipment, commercial vehicles and production systems. In the early years of the 20th century, Fiat began to construct streetcars and buses, to respond to the growing need for mass transit. Also during this period, its factories produced their first trucks for freight haulage, including the famous model 18 BL, 20,000 of which were manufactured from 1914 on.
Fiat has also made major breakthroughs in railroad technology, where it has been active since 1917. These range from the world’s first electric diesel locomotive, built in 1922, to the first tilting-body train, the first prototype of which was produced in 1969. The ETR 401, a 250-Km/h train known as the Pendolino, was put into service in 1975 by the Italian and Spanish Railways.Thanks to subsequent innovations, it still sets the standard for rail transport and has been purchased by railroads in many other countries.
The 60's, with the success of the Diamante and Nastro d' Oro series, saw the Agricultural Sector broaden its product range and enter new markets. During the following decade, it strengthened its position with the acquisition of Laverda, Hesston and Agrifull, followed by the purchase of Braud in 1984, thus developing a complete line of high-tech equipment. Operating under the New Holland brand, the Agricultural and Construction Equipment Sector is now present in Europe, North America, Africa, Asia and Brazil.
Fiat has also left its mark on the aircraft industry. Back in 1908, at the dawn of aviation, it produced its first engine, the Fiat SA 8/75; its first airplane came off the line in 1915. But the turning point in aeronautic design came with the introduction of the Series G planes designed by Giuseppe Gabrielli. The G 91 jet fighter won the NATO competition in 1955 and was then adopted by a number of air forces. To take advantage of the opportunities offered by a broader international market, the Aviation Sector embarked on a new strategy based on the development of new aircraft engines and components through collaboration agreements with such top-notch partners as Rolls Royce, General Electric, Pratt & Whitney and Aerospatiale.
The Tornado fighter aircraft, whose maiden flight took place in 1974, is an outstanding example of this synergistic approach. All these elements of diversification that make up the Fiat story have undoubtedly contributed to the success of the globalization strategy that the Company has always pursued.
A presence in markets around the globe is an integral part of the Fiat Group’s strategy, which is focused today on such emerging countries as India and China in Asia, and Brazil and Argentina in Latin America. The Group, in the course of its development, has always regarded the international market as a challenge to be met.
On July 11, 1999, Fiat celebrated the centennial of its founding. It was an auspicious occasion to remember the history of Italy’s largest automotive company and retrace a century of technical evolution, economic development and social change in Italy.
Established for the purpose of manufacturing automobiles, Fiat has grown in every area of mobility, expanding its production to include aircraft, trains, commercial vehicles, buses, farm tractors and marine engines.
This industrial diversification was an important factor in the success of the strategy of globalization and worldwide expansion that Fiat has followed since its founding. The Company has pursued these goals by increasing production and market share in the emerging countries of South America, Eastern Europe and Asia, and making every effort to strengthen its presence in the more developed markets.
Today, with revenues of about 46 billion euros, Fiat is one of the world’s biggest industrial groups, operating in 61 countries with 803 companies, which employ more than 220,000 people, about 88,000 of them outside Italy.
The Group operates 185 production facilities (100 of which are abroad) and 115 research centers (46 outside Italy).
About 40% of the value of production is generated outside Italy, while exports account for more than 60% of sales.
Fiat Group companies
are organized into ten operating Sectors: Automobiles, Commercial
Vehicles and Agricultural and Construction Equipment, which account
for 72% of total revenues; Metallurgical Products, Components
and Production Systems, which represent 12% of total revenues; and
Aviation,
Rolling
Stock and Railway Systems, Publishing and Communications,
and Insurance, which generate 16% of total revenues.
Automobiles - Fiat Auto
Since its founding in Turin in 1899, Fiat has produced more than 70 million vehicles, setting milestones in the history of automobile development.
The Group’s automotive
operations are carried out primarily by Fiat Auto S.p.A., which was established
as a separate entity in 1978, and by its subsidiaries.
The Automobile
Sector sells cars under the Fiat, Lancia and Alfa Romeo brands, and light
commercial vehicles under the Fiat brand.
In Western Europe, which accounted for 70.3 % of the Sector’s sales in 1998, Fiat Auto’s three brands are present in each of the five broad segments into which this market is divided.
Furthermore, Fiat Auto offers its suppliers, dealers and customers an integrated system of mobility and insurance services, through Targa Services and its joint ventures, and financial services, through Fidis and its subsidiaries.
The Sector uses innovation in the content, design and manufacturing solutions of its products as a primary vehicle to achieve customer satisfaction and increase its competitive position. The pursuit of this goal, which is a key component of its growth strategy, has enabled Fiat Auto to secure Car of the Year honors for one of its models in three of the last four years: the Fiat Punto in 1995, the Fiat Bravo-Brava in 1996 and the Alfa Romeo 156 in 1998.
Fiat Auto’s commitment to renovating its product line will result in the introduction of four new models a year until 2002.
Globalization is the other pillar of the Sector’s growth strategy, which is focused primarily on the emerging markets of Poland, Russia, Brazil, Argentina, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Turkey, India and China. In these countries, which offer the greatest growth opportunities over the medium and long term, the Sector follows a modular investment approach that enables it to minimize potential risks. It also takes into account changing market conditions and, as it did in Russia and India, it may postpone or alter its capital spending programs.
Fiat Auto’s globalization effort is based primarily on the production of a family of World Car models: Fiat Palio, Fiat Siena, Fiat Palio Weekend, and the Pick-up version. As a result of these programs, over the long term the Sector expects to sell 50% of its output outside Western Europe.
In 1998, Fiat Auto sold 2,486,000 vehicles worldwide, the second best result ever after the record shipments of 1997. Sales were up in all Western European countries except Italy, where the government incentives for the replacement of old cars were no longer available.
Among the individual brands, Alfa Romeo was particularly successful owing to strong demand for its 156 model and its new 166 flagship car, which was introduced last November.
The portfolio
of automobile brands owned by the Fiat Group also includes Ferrari and
Maserati.
Commercial Vehicles - Iveco
Iveco designs, produces and sells commercial vehicles, special-purpose and quarry vehicles, vehicles for defense and civil protection applications, fire-fighting equipment and diesel engines. Its principal brands are Iveco, Aifo, Astra, Atkinson, Magirus, Pegaso and Seddon.
The Sector’s product line, which was recently revamped with the introduction of new heavy-load and medium-heavy-load road vehicles (EuroStar and EuroTech), heavy-load quarry and construction equipment (EuroTrakker) and intermediate-light models (EuroCargo), has been expanded to include an innovative family of engines, called Cursor, especially designed for heavy-load vehicles. In 1998, it also completed the industrialization work needed to manufacture a new range of light commercial vehicles (new Daily), which was launched in April 1999.
Through its Transolver operations, the Sector offers a complete spectrum of financial services, ranging from financing for consumers and dealers to financial leases, equipment rental and fleet management.
The dealer network
has been restructured to improve the quality of customer service, increase
the profitability of the sales outlets and optimize distribution costs.
In recent years,
Iveco’s strategic development has gained significant momentum, as the Sector
established a growing presence in the emerging markets of South America,
Eastern Europe and Asia.
Irisbus, a 50/50
joint venture between Iveco and Renault V.I., became operational at the
beginning of 1999. The Sector transferred all its mass-transit activities
to this new company which is already the second largest manufacturer in
Europe and is large enough to compete successfully in the world markets.
Agricultural and Construction Equipment - New Holland
This Sector designs, produces and sells a broad range of tractors, agricultural machines and construction equipment. Its sales organization is supported by a rapidly growing system of financial services. Agricultural products are distributed under the New Holland, Bizon, Braud and Flexi-Coil brands. Construction equipment is sold under the New Holland, Fiat Allis, Fiat-Hitachi and O&K brands.
New Holland has achieved a preeminent position in the global market: It is the largest producer of farm tractors in Europe and the top manufacturer of hay and forage harvesting equipment in North America; in South America, it leads the Brazilian combine harvester market.
In recent years, the Company has devoted significant attention to the renewal of its product line, which will be completely renovated by the year 2000, and has carried out several corporate transactions designed to strengthen its strategic position in the world markets. In 1998, it expanded its agricultural equipment operations by acquiring Bizon, Poland’s largest producer of combine harvesters with growing sales in Eastern Europe, Latin America and Pakistan. New Holland also strengthened its position in the area of construction equipment, acquiring a majority interest in O&K Orenstein & Koppel, the leading German manufacturer of track-type hydraulic excavators and other earth-moving machines.
The high point
of the Sector’s growth and expansion strategy was the announcement of the
Case Corporation acquisition in 1999. The marriage of New Holland and Case
will produce a company that will be large enough to compete successfully
for the leadership position in the global market for agricultural equipment
and will rank among the world’s top producers of construction equipment.
The new company will retain the New Holland and Case brands and will operate
two separate sales networks.
Metallurgical Products - Teksid
Teksid specializes in the production of metallurgical products for the automotive industry. It operates in three areas of activity: cast-iron, aluminum and magnesium components.
Teksid’s roster of customers includes some of the world’s largest carmakers. It also supplies its products to manufacturers of commercial vehicles, farm tractors and diesel engines for a number of applications. Its products, which are sold primarily under the Teksid and Meridian brands, include: cast-iron and aluminum cylinder heads and crank cases for automobile and commercial vehicle engines, cast-iron and aluminum suspension components, cast-iron brake components, aluminum and magnesium gearbox components, and magnesium bodywork components.
Over the last two decades, the Sector has grown its business by focusing increasingly on the importance of providing localized worldwide services to its customers. In particular, it expanded its manufacturing operations in Europe (which it services from factories in Italy, France, Portugal and Poland), North and South America (where coverage is provided by facilities in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina) and the Far East, where new plants have been set up in China.
Concurrently
with the implementation of its globalization process, Teksid pursues the
objective of focusing on its core businesses, concentrating on cast-iron,
aluminum and magnesium products with a high technology content. Through
recent transactions, which have resulted in the acquisition of a controlling
interest in Meridian Technologies, a Canadian company with a leadership
position in magnesium technology, and the acquisition of Renault’s cast-iron
and aluminum foundry operations, the Sector has consolidated its position
as the world’s largest producer of metallurgical products for automotive
applications with a diversified customer portfolio.
Components - Magneti Marelli
This Sector designs, develops and produces motor vehicle components, systems and modules with a high technology content, which it sells primarily under the Magneti Marelli, Carello, Cofap, Cromodora, Jaeger, Harman, Solex, Veglia Borletti, Vitaloni and Weber brands.
Magneti Marelli is a global supplier which has established a pervasive manufacturing presence in Europe, North and South America and Asia with the goal of providing products and services of absolute excellence to all its manufacturing customers worldwide.
The most significant transaction carried out as part of the Sector’s globalization strategy was the acquisition of a controlling interest in Cofap, a Brazilian company specialized in the production of shock absorbers, which is the largest component manufacturer in South America.
Magneti Marelli has been aggressively streamlining its product line, focusing on those activities that require a high level of technological input and produce higher returns. With this in mind, it completed several transactions in 1999, including: an agreement with Textron Automotive in the United States for the production of dashboard modules; the acquisition of Fiat Auto’s Suspension Systems operations in Italy, Poland and Brazil; and the establishment of Automotive Lighting Holding, a 50-50 joint venture with Bosch of Germany, to which both partners contributed their worldwide lighting systems activities.
In an effort
to expand its range of products and services, Magneti Marelli purchased
from Midas, a U.S. company, a chain of quick-service centers, and established
Viasat, a 50-50 joint venture with Telespazio that provides infomobility
services using leading-edge satellite technology.
Comau is the world’s leading manufacturer of production systems for the automotive industry. It is ready to compete in the new millennium with the strength of its international presence and an unparalleled range of products and services.
In addition to the establishment of a specialized plant maintenance service organization (Comau Service), which rounded up the Sector’s range of systems and equipment and provided a timely response to changing customer needs, two other developments have contributed to radically altering Comau’s scope of activity. They are Fiat’s acquisition of Pico, the largest U.S. producer of bodywork systems, which has made the Sector the world leader in this market, and the addition of the Fenice environmental management activities to its portfolio of services.
Comau offers
carmakers: a complete spectrum of products (product/process engineering,
dies for large sheet-metal components, bodywork welding lines, robots,
painting systems, machining and assembly lines for mechanical components,
final assembly lines for motor vehicles); a total package of services that
ranges from designing the facilities, to building the assembly lines and
supplying and maintaining the line equipment; plant and facilities management
and maintenance services, including general, energy and environmental services;
and access to a global organization governed by an innovative customer
management model that ensures effective, immediate and customized answers
to every customer need.
Aviation - FiatAvio
FiatAvio develops, produces and distributes components and systems for airplane and helicopter engines, and assembles turbines for marine-propulsion applications. Its space activities manufacture propulsion systems for launchers and satellites. With the goal of lengthening the value chain, the Sector has also developed overhaul services for aircraft engines and energy production facilities.
In the area of commercial aircraft engines, FiatAvio participates in important development and production programs in partnership with the world’s top engine manufacturers (General Electric, Pratt & Whitney and Rolls Royce). In the field of Defense applications, the Sector is a member of the European consortium that is developing and will manufacture the EJ200 engine for the new Eurofighter. The industrialization phase of this project continued in 1999, with the first engines scheduled for delivery by the end of 2000.
The acquisition of Alfa Romeo Avio in 1996, and its subsequent integration in December 1998, enabled the Sector to expand its range if services for commercial-aviation customers, particularly in the overhauling of aircraft engines. FiatAvio is investing in this business, with the goal of developing an increasingly complete line of services. Several new contracts were concluded in 1999, including those for the overhaul of the JTD-8 and CFM56 engines.
In the energy field, FiatAvio offers customer the solid expertise it developed building facilities with a combined installed power of 13,000 MW and managing complex projects throughout the world. The Sector is currently rationalizing this business, focusing its efforts on the expansion of its service operations.
FiatAvio has
developed a significant presence in the area of space activities. In Europe,
it collaborates in the development of the Ariane programs, for which it
produces boosters, separation engines and a liquid oxygen turbopump. In
April 1999, in a 50-50 joint venture with Aerospatiale, it established
Vegaspazio. The European Space Agency has awarded Vegaspazio a contract
for the development of the VEGA light launcher for small satellites.
Rolling Stock and Railway Systems - Fiat Ferroviaria
This Sector operates in rail and tramways, producing traction systems, rolling stocks of various types, railway bogeys, trams and subway systems. Fiat Ferroviaria has been remarkably successful in the international markets with its Pendolino, a tilting-body train that can be used on existing railway lines to create a modern, high-speed transport system.
In different configurations, the Pendolino is being used by the Italian, Swiss, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Finnish railways. Major contracts have also been signed with the Slovenian National Railways and, in partnership with Alstom, with Virgin Rail, which has been licensed to operate the West Coast Main Line in Great Britain. This contract calls for the supply and maintenance of 53 Pendolino trains. Additional large orders have been received from the Finnish and Swiss railways.
The Sector is
supplying the Municipality of Rome with new low-rise trams that are scheduled
to go into service in time for the Vatican Jubilee.
Publishing and Communications - Itedi
This Sector operates in the publishing, advertising and communications fields.
Through its subsidiary Editrice La Stampa, a company founded in 1867 and acquired by Fiat in 1926, it publishes La Stampa, a newspaper with a circulation of about 380,000 copies a day. It reaches 1,800,000 readers with 13 local editions and four inserts (Tutto Scienze, TTL, Torino Sette and Specchio), and ranks third among Italy’s general-purpose newspapers.
La Stampa is produced at a plant in Turin and printed at six facilities in Italy and abroad.
Correspondent offices in Rome, Milan, Washington, Moscow, Paris, London, Bonn and Brussels support Turin’s editorial headquarters. Field offices are located in provincial capitals in the regions of Piedmont, Liguria and Valle d’Aosta.
During the last two years, the Sector successfully implemented a series of programs designed to increase the quality of its product and broaden the newspaper’s readership base (contests for school children and promotions for professionals).
Publikompass, a company licensed to solicit advertising sales on behalf of publishers that has been in business since 1972, has 100,000 customers that account for 50,000 pages of advertising, and sells advertising for 18 Web sites, 12 newspapers, 13 periodicals and four local television stations.
As Italy’s largest non-captive advertising licensee, it is ideally positioned to take full advantage of all the growth opportunities offered by the market.
Advertising billings for La Stampa have increased significantly, reflecting healthy growth in the national and regional markets. Internet sales have also expanded at a rapid pace.
At the beginning
of 1999, the Company was chosen as the advertising licensee for Il Tempo,
a Rome newspaper, and is developing a project designed to increase its
advertising billings for local television stations.
Insurance - Toro Assicurazioni
Founded 160 years ago, Toro is active in all areas of insurance. It leads one of Italy’s most important insurance groups: the country’s sixth largest in terms of revenues, and one of the top performers with respect to financial results and balance-sheet strength.
Its activities extend to markets outside Italy, with a particularly significant presence in France, where it controls the Continent Group. Toro Targa Assicurazioni, a venture launched in 1998, enables Toro to distribute its insurance products through the Fiat dealer network in Italy, in Brazil, where the Sector acquired Phenix, a local insurance company, and in Poland, where Toro concluded an agreement with Gerling, a German group.
The closer working relationship established with Banca di Roma, in which the Sector has made a significant equity investment, has enabled the Roma Vita joint venture to achieve a leadership position in the bankassurance market.
In addition,
Toro has agreed to purchase the French operations of the Guardian Royal
Exchange Group, with the goal of balancing Continent’s product mix and
strengthening its presence in the French market.
Fiat
Group - Service Companies
Consorzio
Fiat Media Center: Advertising planning and the purchasing of advertising
space
Consorzio
Sirio: Corporate security services
Fiat Ges.Co.
S.C.p.A.: Organisational services and consultancy in the administrative
field
Fiat Geva
S.p.A.: Centralized cash-management services and financial support
for Group companies
Fiat
GSA s.r.l.: Development
and maintenance of application software
Fiat Information
& Communication Services s.r.l.: This company offers communications
services. It also manages the Centro Storico Fiat which contains a collection
of Fiat cars and houses the Fiat Historical Archives
Fiat International
S.p.A.: Support services for the development of business opportunities
and Group representative offices outside Italy
Fiat Revi
S.C.p.A.: Activities and services instrumental to the organisation
of accounting processes, the implementation of internal control systems
and procedures, and verification of their correct functioning
Fiat Servizi
per Industria S.p.A: It supplies auxiliary personnel management and
administration services and provides selection and development of human
resources, health services, data transmission systems, administration of
industrial facilities and residential and office buildings, management
of industrial complexes and purchasing services.
INGEST S.p.A:
Servizi
Immobiliari al Gruppo Fiat
IPI
S.p.A.: Property
development, consultancy and services
Isvor
Fiat S.p.A.: This
company is engaged in personnel training and development at various levels.
I.T.S.
Information Technology Services s.r.l.: Information
technology services.
SADI - Servizi
e Attività Doganali per l'Industria S.p.A.: Customs handling
services.
SCCMT s.r.l.:
Car
ownership formalities.
SGR - Società
per la Gestione dei Rischi S.p.A.: Management of industrial risks.
Telexis
s.r.l.: Telecommunications
services and online products.
Research
and Development Companies for Sector Activities
Centro Ricerche
Fiat S.C.p.A.: It carries out research on engines, vehicles,
electronic systems, production processes and technical management methods.
Elasis
- Sistema Ricerca Fiat nel Mezzogiorno S.C.p.A.: It
manages a technical and scientific network of operations dedicated to innovation
for Fiat's manufacturing facilities in Southern Italy.
Fiat
also coordinates the following cultural and sports initiatives
Fondazione
Giovanni Agnelli: The Foundation undertakes international research
in the fields of economics and the social sciences.
Palazzo Grassi
S.p.A.: This company organizes cultural events and art exhibitions.
Sestrieres
S.p.A.: This company runs sports facilities at the Sestriere mountain
resort.
Sisport Fiat
S.p.A.: The company promotes and organizes sports activities and manages
recreational facilities.
Other
Group Business Activities
Augusta Assicurazioni
S.p.A.: Insurance services.
Fiat Engineering
S.p.A.: The company is engaged in the design and construction of industrial
buildings, energy facilities and office buildings and in projects for the
reclamation and restoration of historical districts.
Fuente:
Fiat Group
http://www.fiatgroup.com/eng/gruppof/ef1gruppof.htm
http://www.fiatgroup.com/eng/informazioni/ef1informaz.htm
http://www.fiatgroup.com/eng/informazioni/ef2informaz.htm