Polska droga Fiata

motoryzacj´ Włoch. Sam model, z małymi zmianami, produkowany był tam do 1955 r. W Warszawie mon- towano tak˝e 4-osobowego Fiata 508 C, zwanego Ba- lilla 1100, i 5-osobowego Fiata 1500, które we Wło- szech zastàpiły odpowiednio modele 508 i 518. W drugiej połowie lat 30. Polski Fiat zajmował do- minujàcà pozycj´ na rynku: notował 50% udział w sprzeda˝y samochodów osobowych i 70% w sprze- da˝y ci´˝arówek. Sprzeda˝ wszystkich samochodów w Polsce, włàcznie z markà Polski Fiat, rosła w szyb- kim tempie: w 1934 roku wynosiła 1,5 tysiàca, w 1935 r. – 2 tysiàce, w 1936 – 5 tysi´cy, w 1937 – 10 tysi´cy i w roku 1938 ju˝ blisko 14 tysi´cy sztuk – liczb´, jak na owe czasy, imponujàcà. Spory był w tym udział samochodów ci´˝arowych, w które m.in . za- opatrywała si´ armia. Spółka Polski Fiat dokładała sta- raƒ, aby zapewniç dobry serwis samochodowy i zor- Balilla 1100, and a 5-seater Fiat 1500 which in Italy replaced respectively the 508 and 518 models. The second half of the 30’s saw the Polski Fiat reach a dominant position in the market: its share of passenger car sales reached 50% and 70% in truck sales. Overall sales in Poland, including the Polski Fiat brand, kept growing rapidly: in 1934 reaching almost 14 thousand, 2 thousand in 1935, 5 thousand in 1936, 10 thousand in 1937, to climb to almost 14 thousand in 1938, a very impressive number in those days. Trucks accounted for most of the sales, with the military a major customer. The Polski Fiat Company put forth their best efforts to provide a reliable service network and technical assistance throughout the country. Thirty service stations, stretching from Stanisławów to Gdynia and from Vilnius to Zakopane, stood ready to assist owners of Polski Fiat cars. The Model 508, nicknamed a “four- door coach” for four people, became a sales hit as the first mass-produced car in Poland. It came in five colors and a poster advertising the vehicle said: “The manufacturer of Polski Fiat cars uses the most advanced machinery and tools for its mass-produced cars. Polish steelworks and foundries supply raw materials and semi- finished products; Polish companies deliver components and accessories. They were able to grow and improve their manufacturing facilities because we make cars in Poland now, and they were able to create new jobs for a lot of people”. Automotive industry not only drives other sectors of the national economy but helps ease unemployment as well. Fiat 500 Topolino 15 Nagroda konkursu Polskiego Radia (1938 r.) An award in the Polish Radio Competition (1938)