Established in Turin in 1899, Fiat, which controls Alfa Romeo, was one of the founders of the automobile industry. The Fiat Group's automobile operations are carried out primarily by Fiat Auto Holdings B.V. and its subsidiaries, which sell cars internationally under the Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia and Commercial Vehicles brands. However, currently Lancia is not sold in the UK market. The Group also controls Ferrari and Maserati, which manufacture luxury sports cars. In early 2002 the Automobile sector adopted a new structure based on four business units: Alfa Romeo, Fiat/Lancia/Commercial Vehicles, International Development and lastly Services. A Unit specialising in aftersale services flanks the core units.

The Fiat Group is a lot more than just vehicles, however. It has leveraged its expertise in the automotive field in an original way, expanding its mission to include the various areas of people and freight mobility: from cars to trucks, from marine engines to aircraft engines and, in more recent years, even space launchers. By drawing on valuable internally developed skills, the Group created, alongside its industrial operations, an increasingly important and varied array of service businesses, which in recent years have provided a growing contribution to its total revenues. The main sectors being agricultural and construction equipment.

Specifically in the UK, the Fiat Group comprises 28 companies, 6 manufacturing plants and 4 R&D centres, employing 5,000 people and generating annual sales of £2.5 billion.

In April 2001 our Connect Service was introduced across Europe. This multimedia, interactive infomobility service opens a new frontier in user technology by offering customers a cutting-edge infomobility platform that embodies the most sophisticated levels of service, customer care and technology. This remarkable achievement in the automotive and satellite communications field was honoured in September 2001 at the Frankfurt Motor Show with the prestigious Automotive Award in the e-communications category.

In addition Alfa Romeo has won a host of awards for its stylish and innovative models, most recently Car of the Year 1998 for the Alfa 156 and Car of the Year 2001 for Alfa 147. This most coveted and prestigious award encompasses 21 European countries, the winner being elected by a jury of 56 motoring writers whose business is to test cars. A total of 238 votes gave the Alfa 147 first place in 2001 ahead of the Ford Mondeo, Toyota Prius, Audi A2, Mercedes C-class, Opel Corsa, Volvo S60/V70, Chrysler PT/C, Peugeot 607 and Citroën Picasso. And Alfa's new 147 was not only the outright winner, it also won votes from the highest number of jurors: no fewer than 51 out of 56 jury members included it among their favourites.

In addition the 156 GTA was Commended in the Auto Express New Car Honours 2002 in the Sporting Car category.