Fiat was officially founded in 1899 with the company Charter of “Societa Anonima Fabrrica Italian Automobili Torino” - which means the Joint Stock Italian Automobile company at Turin.

The Managing Director role was first held by Giovanni Agnelli who was one of the first investors and a natural strategist and visionary.

Fiat went on in 1916 to build the largest automobile factory in Europe which was completed in 1922. Fiat also diversified in to rail, electricity and steel industries and also public transportantion.

There was a small post WW1 crisis which was curbed with cost reduction techniques but motoring milestones such as the first four seater car, were occurring nonetheless.

The second world war saw less cars produced and more commercial vehicles, but this was fairly typical.

American money helped rebuild destroyed factories and profits began to return.

Interestingly enough Fiat around this time created the first Italian Jet Aircraft.

Fiat went through the usual trade union problems in the sixties and seventies but never failed to innovate and such are still with us today as strong brand with style and panache.

It is testimony to the vision of the founders that Italy can make great cars that are loved the world over.

[Source: some material from this history was gathered from the official fiat site: www.fiat.com]

Movies containing Fiats:

Gung Ho, also known as working class man with Michael Keaton who drove a Fiat Regatta.

The history of Mercedes Benz began with the birth of it’s two founders Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz. Both were born in Southern Germany.

Daimler, a great automotive man was the first to create a confirmed internal combustion car and also the first to add a transmission system that worked.

Both formed their own companies but merged in 1926 due to disorder in the German economy.

About the Mercedes-Benz Badge - the three pointed star

It was at this time that the symbol of the Mercedes Three Pointed Star apparently debuted in 1910 although details on this are sketchy.

The supposed meaning is related to the fact that DMG the Daimler parent company, was at that time producing complete engines for three sectors - cars, boats and airships. Each point of the star symbolized that sector of their market.

A further story relates to a post card that Daimler sent his wife, with a three pointed star saying that this star will shine over our factories.

Where did the name “Mercedes” come from?

Gottlieb Daimlers first big customer was a businessman named Emil Jellinek, who had a daughter named Mercedes.

Jellinek entered one of Daimlers cars in a race and named the car Mercedes after his daughter. After entering into business arrangements the two men reached an agreement
to name production vehicles Mercedes as of June 23, 1902. These early Mercedes were almost unbeatable in their time.

Curiously, Mercedes actually derives from a French word Marchant, which means “Merchant”

The Mercedes-Benz brand is synonomous with build quality, quiet running engines and stylish good looks. In the world of prestige autos, Mercedes stands tall.

Whilst Mercedes now are best known for their cars, they also produce a range of trucks.

Movies featuring a Mercedes-Benz

• Die Hard: With a Vengeance

The beginnings of Audi history stem back to 1899 when August Horch founded A. Horch & Cie. motor company in German. Subseqent mergers over the years led to the formation of the current Audi Company. In 1910 a dispute led to the formation of a new company which took the name Audiwerke GmbH.

What does Audi mean and where did it come from?

Audi is comes from the latin word “audire” and which is means to listen. The word Audi itself thus means “Listen”. So you conjure up an image of a motor vehicle that people listen to for it’s beautiful engine sound or that people mention that they have just purchased a fabulous Audi.

What do Audi’s four rings symbol mean?

The Audi Logo the ‘Four Rings’ symbolise the 1932 merger of four independent motor-vehicle manufacturers: Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer. They form the historic basis of Audi’s current company AUDI AG. Interesting Facts: The first European Audis were right hand drives based on the position of the coachman. Left hand drive was an innovation. But if you in Australia a left hand drive Audi is more of a problem and the old coachman’s design is more desirable. For a brief period in from 1959 to 1967 Audi was owned by the Daimler Group In 1966 Audi was fully acquired by Volkswagen before merging with NSU The 1972 the Audi 80 was a runaway smash hit with over 1000000 units sold. Later models included the sensation 4wd Audi Quattro which caused a stir for it’s innovative design. Audi have continued to produce very high quality prestige vehicles which delight the senses of motoring enthusiasts everywhere. Audi are renowned for their beautiful and stylish body shapes and engineering excellence.

Movies Featuring Audis

Transporter 2