Autobianchi

Autobianchi, an Italian automobile manufacturer founded in 1964 in Turin by the merger of Bianchi and Autobianchi (former Alfa Romeo division), established itself as a specialist in compact and urban vehicles for over two decades. Subsidiary of the Fiat group since its creation, the Autobianchi story is that of a brand positioned on small economical and practical cars, direct competitor of models like the Fiat 500 or the Renault R4, with which it shared the same market segment. The Autobianchi range revolved around three pillars: the famous Autobianchi A112, launched in 1969 and produced until 1986 with over one million units sold, the Bianchina (retro evolution of the Fiat 500 marketed between 1957 and 1971 in Autobianchi version), and later the Autobianchi Y10, presented in 1985 as a modern response to the urban needs of the 1980s. Autobianchi models stood out for their accessibility, their economical engines from 903 to 1301 cc, and their pleasant design signed by coachbuilders like Giugiaro for the A112. With production sites located mainly in Desio, in Lombardy, the Autobianchi manufacturer delivered thousands of cars to its customers in Western Europe and Italy before its progressive integration into Lancia in the early 1990s. The Autobianchi technical specifications reflect the brand's DNA: lightness, maneuverability and mechanical reliability at low cost, qualities that seduced generations of economical and urban drivers during the 1964 to 1989 period.