Fiat (Brazil) - AllCarIndex

Fiat Automóveis S.A. was a subsidiary of the Italian automotive manufacturer Fiat, established in Brazil. The company operated a manufacturing facility in Betim, where it produced a range of vehicles, including several well-known Italian models such as the Fiat 127, Uno, Tempra, and Punto. In addition to these models, Fiat's Brazilian operations developed unique vehicles tailored to the local market, including the Fiat 147, which was essentially a modified version of the 127 featuring a 1049cc single overhead cam engine. The Brazilian division also produced booted saloon and estate car variants of the Uno, known as the Premio and Elba, respectively.

The Palio, introduced in 1996, marked a significant milestone for Fiat in Brazil as it was designed to be a 'world car.' Initially manufactured in Brazil, the Palio's production expanded to Argentina and Poland in 1997, with plans for additional production facilities in countries such as Venezuela, South Africa, Egypt, Turkey, Russia, and Vietnam. The Palio was available in various configurations, including 3- and 5-door hatchbacks, a 4-door saloon (the Siena), and an estate car (the Weekend). The engine options for the Palio included a range of displacements from 994cc to 1698cc, with the latter featuring a turbo diesel variant.

In 1998, Fiat made a substantial investment in its Brazilian operations, which facilitated the production of the Marea at a rate of 4,000 to 5,000 units per month. This investment underscored Fiat's commitment to the Brazilian market and its strategy to enhance local manufacturing capabilities.