Autobianchi

Year of foundation 1955-1968

The history of Autobianchi Automobili is a fascinating journey of innovation and experimentation in the Italian automotive landscape, deeply intertwined with that of FIAT.

Origins and Foundation
The Autobianchi brand was officially born on January 11, 1955, in Milan. Although the name harks back to the historic Bianchi company, which specialized in bicycles and motorcycles since 1885, the new company was created in a partnership between the Edoardo Bianchi Automobile and Bicycle Factory, FIAT, and Pirelli.
The goal of this collaboration was ambitious: FIAT wanted a "laboratory" to test new technical and market solutions (particularly front-wheel drive) without compromising its image, while Pirelli saw the opportunity to expand its tire market. Bianchi, struggling after the war, offered its Desio plant.

Iconic Models and Innovations
Autobianchi immediately stood out for its ability to produce elegant, niche, and technically advanced vehicles.

Bianchina (1957-1969): This was the first model produced and the one that made it famous among the general public, thanks in part to cinema (the model featured in Fantozzi is famous). Built on the chassis of the Fiat 500, the Bianchina was a refined and chic compact car, available in various versions, including the Trasformabile, the Cabriolet, and the Panoramica.
Primula (1964-1970): A model of fundamental importance. The Primula was the first FIAT group vehicle to adopt front-wheel drive with a transverse engine and rack-and-pinion steering, an architecture that would later become the global standard for compact cars. This was the testing ground desired by Dante Giacosa, who paved the way for successful models such as the Fiat 128.
A111 (1969-1972): A medium-class sedan that did not achieve the hoped-for success, but which testified to the brand's desire to experiment in higher segments as well.
A112 (1969-1986): The A112 is perhaps Autobianchi's most famous and successful model, with over 1.2 million units produced. Considered the forerunner of "hot hatches" (small sports cars), it was a huge hit among young drivers, especially the sporty Abarth version, which became a true icon in the world of rallying.

The Acquisition of FIAT and the End of the Brand
In 1968, FIAT acquired full control of Autobianchi. From that point on, the brand's role changed slightly, effectively becoming a "premium" and niche brand within the Turin-based group, positioned between FIAT and Lancia. The last model produced, the Y10 (1985-1995), continued this "small flagship" philosophy.

The end of the Autobianchi brand gradually came in the 1990s. Production of the Y10 ceased in 1995, and its successor, the Lancia Y, was marketed internationally exclusively under the Lancia brand. The former Desio plant closed in 1992 and the area was dismantled.

Although the brand no longer exists, Autobianchi's legacy remains an example of how a company can serve as a laboratory of innovation, leaving an indelible mark on the history of the automobile.