BAIAblog

The New FIAT 500 is Here!

Torino and Italy will be celebrating a festive, special 4th of July this year, in a unique coincidence with the American celebration of Independence.

Torino – capital of Italy when the country was unified in 1861, and home of the 2006 Winter Olympics – is known around the world mostly for its automobile tradition, heralded by FIAT.

This 4th of July, the new FIAT 500 will debut, on the 50th anniversary of the launch of its first predecessor.

Torino and several other cities around the country will make their historically-charged piazzas  center stage for the FIAT 500, while supporting a very important charitable initiative:  “Un nido per Pollicino, aiutiamo i piu’ piccoli a diventare grandi”, a fund raising campaign in support of premature babies.

The highlight of the event is expected to be a show by the PO river, on the night of July 4th in Torino, presented by K-events/FilmMaster Group, directed by Marco Balich, the most famous Italian Creative Producer, whose works include the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2006 Olympics.

Starting at 10 PM Italian time (1PM PST), the show will be available in streaming video at:  www.fiat500.com

Lucia Panini

Of Roaring Hearts and Technology

As BAIA gears up to deliver a “can’t miss” event in the auto world, I feel compelled to report on the flattering comments of Rick Wagoner, head of GM, toward the rebirth of Italian FIAT, as highlighted at the Genève auto show.

Quoting Wagoner “Italy must be proud of the rebirth of FIAT”. In fact, much of the most exciting new models on stage in Genève are “Made in Torino”. Among them: the FIAT “Bravo”, debuting in these days in Europe, the “GranTurismo” Maserati, (Modena brand of Lingotto), the return of the Abarth icon, and of course scintillating Ferrari showing off not just roaring “cavallini” but also record results.

For more on Genève’s auto show check this link, and for a snapshot on that unique blend of art, emotion and technology which characterizes the Italian auto tradition, here’s a sneak peak on Bertone’s “Barchetta” concept car.

See you at BAIA’s event on March 29th. Warm up your engines and get ready to be amazed!

Lucia Panini