Fiat cars are made by Stellantis, the multinational automaker formed in 2021 through the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the French PSA Group.
Fiat is one of fourteen brands inside the Stellantis portfolio, sitting alongside Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, Peugeot, and several other European and American marques.
Fiat began as an entirely independent Italian company more than a century before joining any larger automotive group.
This guide covers who owns Fiat today, its founding history in Turin, where Fiat vehicles are built, its current lineup, and the Agnelli family role in the modern company.
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Who Owns Fiat?
Fiat is fully owned by Stellantis N.V., a public company incorporated in the Netherlands with major operations still centered in Turin, Italy.
Exor N.V., the holding company controlled by the Agnelli and Elkann family, is the largest shareholder in Stellantis, holding an economic stake of roughly 14 percent alongside outsized voting influence through loyalty voting shares.
John Elkann, a descendant of Fiat founder Giovanni Agnelli, chairs Stellantis, keeping a direct family link to the company even after decades of corporate restructuring.
| Brand Name | Fiat |
| Parent Company | Stellantis N.V. |
| Corporate Headquarters | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Fiat Historical Headquarters | Turin, Italy |
| Founded | 1899 |
| Fiat Brand CEO | Olivier Francois |
| Stellantis Chairman | John Elkann |
| Largest Shareholder | Exor N.V. (Agnelli-Elkann family) |
When Was Fiat Founded and Who Started It?
Fiat was founded in 1899 in Turin, Italy, as Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino, with Giovanni Agnelli among its founding investors.
The company built its first factory in Turin and grew quickly into Italy largest industrial company, eventually expanding into aircraft, trains, and even publishing under the wider Agnelli family holdings.
Fiat remained independent and family influenced for more than a century before financial trouble in the 2000s led to its merger with Chrysler.
Fiat Ownership Timeline
Giovanni Agnelli and other investors establish Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino in Turin.
Fiat introduces the original Cinquecento, one of the most iconic small cars in European history.
Fiat acquires a controlling interest in bankrupt Chrysler during the United States auto industry bailout.
Fiat completes full ownership of Chrysler, creating Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles merges with PSA Group to create Stellantis, the current owner of Fiat.
Fiat expands its electric small car lineup as part of the brand European focused strategy.
How Does Fiat Compare to Other Stellantis Brands?
Stellantis groups Fiat alongside Jeep, Ram, Dodge, and Chrysler in North America, plus Peugeot, Citroen, Opel, Vauxhall, and Alfa Romeo in Europe.
Fiat and Alfa Romeo, both Italian brands under the same parent, are covered separately since Alfa Romeo targets a more performance oriented buyer, detailed in our guide on who makes Alfa Romeo.
Fiat focuses on affordable small cars, a different niche from Jeep off road SUVs or Maserati luxury sports cars, despite all reporting to the same corporate parent.
This structure mirrors how General Motors separates Chevrolet from Cadillac, or how Volkswagen Group separates its mainstream and luxury brands under one shared ownership umbrella.
Fiat by the Numbers
Fiat remains one of the oldest continuously operating automotive brands in the world, with a history stretching back well over a century.
Few automotive brands anywhere can claim as long and continuous a history as Fiat, dating back to the earliest years of the automobile industry itself.
Where Are Fiat Cars Made?
Fiat builds most of its European models at the Mirafiori and Pomigliano plants in Italy, alongside significant production in Tychy, Poland. Sister Stellantis brand Ram is covered in our guide on who makes Ram trucks.
Fiat also operates a massive plant in Betim, Brazil, one of the largest automotive factories in South America, supplying Latin American markets extensively.
Additional Fiat production takes place in Kragujevac, Serbia, and Bursa, Turkey, supporting European and Middle Eastern demand.
What Models Does Fiat Currently Make?
The Fiat 500, including the electric 500e, remains the brand most recognizable model, sold across Europe and reintroduced to the United States market.
The Panda serves as an affordable city car staple in Europe, while the Tipo covers compact sedan and hatchback buyers in several international markets.
Fiat also builds the Doblo van and Toro pickup for commercial and Latin American markets, vehicles not typically sold in the United States.
Why Did Fiat Merge With Chrysler?
Fiat took a stake in Chrysler as part of the United States government bailout terms during the 2009 financial crisis, when Chrysler needed a partner to survive bankruptcy.
Fiat gradually increased its ownership over several years, completing full acquisition of Chrysler in 2014 to form Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
That merger later combined with PSA Group in 2021 to create Stellantis, the current parent company of Fiat.
Is Fiat Really Good or Worth Buying?
- Distinctive Italian styling that stands out in the small car segment
- Compact size makes the 500 easy to park and maneuver in cities
- Efficient engines suited to urban and short distance driving
- Lower purchase price than many competing small cars in Europe
- Limited model lineup compared to mainstream competitors
- Reliability surveys have historically placed Fiat below the industry average
- Very limited presence and dealer support in the United States market
- Resale value trails many Japanese and Korean small car rivals
Fiat charm and styling appeal to a specific type of buyer, but limited dealer support outside Europe and mixed reliability data are worth weighing carefully.
Shoppers in the United States considering the reintroduced 500e should confirm local service availability before purchasing, given Fiat small dealer footprint domestically.
What Is Next for Fiat?
Fiat has focused heavily on electrifying its small car lineup, positioning the 500e as its flagship model for European city driving regulations.
Stellantis leadership under CEO Antonio Filosa has emphasized improving quality and profitability across smaller brands like Fiat rather than aggressive volume growth.
Fiat continued strength in Brazil and other Latin American markets remains a key part of its global sales strategy outside Europe.
Frequently Asked Questions About Who Makes Fiat
Is Fiat owned by Stellantis?
Yes. Fiat is one of fourteen brands owned by Stellantis N.V., the company formed when Fiat Chrysler Automobiles merged with PSA Group in 2021.
Does the Agnelli family still control Fiat?
The Agnelli and Elkann family maintains significant influence through Exor, the largest shareholder in Stellantis, though the family no longer owns Fiat outright.
Is Fiat sold in the United States?
Fiat sales in the United States are limited, with the 500e electric model reintroduced after most gasoline Fiat models were discontinued domestically.
Is Fiat a reliable car brand?
Reliability surveys have generally placed Fiat below the industry average, though the brand remains popular in Europe for its compact size and styling.
For current pricing and specifications, visit the official Fiat website.
Background on company history is available on the Fiat Wikipedia page, and Stellantis strategy is covered in this CNBC report.
Fiat outsized historical role in Italy extends well beyond cars, since the Agnelli family businesses at various points included steel, insurance, and even the Juventus football club, making Fiat part of a much larger industrial legacy.
That broader family influence is one reason Fiat retained a distinct national identity even after becoming part of an American merger and later a Dutch incorporated global company.
For buyers today, the practical impact is mostly about model availability and service network, since core Fiat engineering decisions are still made with European regulations and driving conditions as the primary focus.
Shoppers outside Europe should temper expectations about Fiat availability, since the brand footprint in markets like the United States remains far smaller than it once was during the peak Fiat 500 popularity in the early 2010s.
Within Europe, however, Fiat remains a mainstream household name, and the electric 500e continues to sell strongly as cities tighten rules on gasoline powered vehicles in urban centers.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.