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{{Short description|Italian automobile manufacturer}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Autobianchi
| logo = Autobianchi company logo.svg
| logo_size = 120 
| logo_caption =  
| fate = Merged into [[Lancia]]
| successor = [[Lancia]]
| foundation = 11 January 1955
| defunct = {{end date and age|1995}}
| location = Desio, Italy
| industry = [[Automotive industry|Automotive]] <!--types of products or services offered-->
| products = [[Automobile]]s
| num_employees = <!--peak number of employees-->4,500 (1967)
| owner = 
| parent = [[Fiat S.p.A.]]<!--former parent companies, if any-->
| subsid = <!--former subsidiaries, if any-->
| revenue = U$1.7 billion dollars (1967)
}}
'''Autobianchi''' ({{IPA|it|autoˈbjaŋki|lang}}) was an Italian [[automobile]] manufacturer, created jointly by [[Bianchi (company)|Bianchi]], [[Pirelli]] and [[Fiat]] in 1955. Autobianchi produced only a handful of models during its lifetime, which were almost exclusively small cars, with the biggest being the short-lived [[Autobianchi A111]], a [[small family car]]. Autobianchis were priced higher than Fiat models of similar size and the brand was used by Fiat to test innovative concepts which later found their way into mainstream Fiat vehicles; these concepts included [[fibreglass]] bodies and [[front-wheel drive]].

The most famous Autobianchi models include the [[Autobianchi A112|A112]] released in 1969, a small [[hatchback]] very popular in [[Italy]] for racing, and which ceased production in 1986; as well as the [[Autobianchi Y10|Y10]], which was the first car to use [[Fiat]]'s new FIRE ([[Fully Integrated Robotised Engine]]). With the [[Autobianchi Primula|Primula]] model, Fiat was able to introduce and prove an [[Fiat 128#Front drive innovation|innovative front-engine, front-drive layout]], which enabled an especially large interior volume and ultimately became the predominant front engine/drive layout, worldwide.<ref name=Brick01>{{cite book |title=Brick by Brick: The Biography of the Man Who Really Made the Mini, Martyn Nutland, p. 237 |publisher=Authorhouse, Bloomington, IN, 2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uBlRDbM5Xd4C&pg=PA237|isbn=9781477203170}}</ref>

Autobianchi was subsequently purchased by the Fiat group and integrated into the operations of [[Lancia]]. The Autobianchi marque survived in Italy until 1995, when Y10 production ended.

==History==
===Origins===
[[Bianchi (company)|Bianchi]], founded in 1885 by [[Edoardo Bianchi]] and now remembered primarily as a bicycle manufacturer, was also active in [[automobile|passenger car]] manufacturing from 1899. Bianchis were in general high-end luxury cars, made with high attention to detail. The company's factory in [[Abruzzi]] was destroyed by bombing during [[World War II]]. Edoardo Bianchi himself died in 1946 in a [[car accident]], and the ownership of the firm passed to his son, Giuseppe. Even though a new, modern facility was constructed in [[Desio]] after the war, economic conditions forced Giuseppe not to resume passenger car production, but rather to focus on [[bicycle]]s, [[motorcycle]]s and [[commercial vehicle]]s.<ref name="carsfrom Bianchi">{{cite web|url=http://www.carsfromitaly.com/others/index.html |title=Bianchi |work=The Etceterini pages @ CarsFromItaly.com |access-date=2006-08-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050209015255/http://www.carsfromitaly.com/others/index.html |archive-date=2005-02-09}} ''(accessed via the [[Internet Archive#Wayback Machine|Wayback Machine]])''</ref><ref name="Bianchina Club Storia">{{cite web|url=http://www.bianchinaclub.com/ita/servizi/edoardo_bianchi.htm |title=Storia dell'Autobianchi |work=Bianchina Club |access-date=2006-08-08|language=it}}</ref><ref name="Club Autobianchi histoire">{{cite web |url=http://www.clubautobianchi.com/marque-histo.html |title=L'histoire de la marque |work=Club Autobianchi |access-date=2006-08-08 |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928010950/http://www.clubautobianchi.com/marque-histo.html |archive-date=2007-09-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Bianchi (company)|Bianchi bicycles]] are still manufactured.

Bianchi's general manager, [[Ferruccio Quintavalle]], wanted to take advantage of the company's extensive experience in manufacturing cars and ordered the preparation of studies and prototypes of possible new models. Soon it became apparent that resuming passenger car production would not be feasible without a help of stronger partner. Therefore, Bianchi turned to large industrial groups [[Fiat]] and [[Pirelli]] with a proposal to form a new company to produce automobiles. Thus, the Autobianchi company was born, with the agreement signed by the three parties on 11 January 1955, and [[share capital]] of 3 million [[lira]], 33% of which belonged to the Bianchi family. A new, modern, purpose-built plant for the production of Autobianchi cars was erected on an area of 140,000 square metres in Desio.<ref name="Bianchina Club Storia"/><ref name="Club Autobianchi histoire"/>

Each of the partners had a clearly defined role and interest in the venture. Fiat was to provide the technical base and components for the assembly of the cars. It was seeking to capture the premium niche of the small car market, at that time occupied by [[coachbuilder]]s such as Moretti and [[Vignale]], who were building their models on Fiat [[chassis]]. Pirelli, which was to supply tires for the cars, sought to expand their [[Original Equipment Manufacturer|OEM]] market share. Bianchi, was assigned the duties of preparing the bodies and assembling complete vehicles; a step towards their desired return to full passenger car production.<ref name="Bianchina Club Storia"/><ref name="Club Autobianchi histoire"/>

===The Bianchina===
{{main|Autobianchi Bianchina}}[[File:Autobianchi Bianchina special (2015-08-28 front b).jpg|thumb|Autobianchi Bianchina Trasformabile Special]]
The first car to be produced by the new company was the [[Autobianchi Bianchina|Bianchina]], whose name was a tribute to Edoardo Bianchi's first 1899 car. The Bianchina was based on [[Fiat 500]] mechanicals &ndash; with its two-cylinder, air-cooled engine mounted in the rear &ndash; but featured a completely new stylish body designed by [[Luigi Rapi]], who was in charge of Fiat's special body unit and helped to set up production in Desio. With many premium design and equipment features, the Bianchina was an upscale [[city car]], positioned above the Fiat 500 in the market. Marketed as a "second vehicle in the household", and a luxurious "recreational vehicle", also being targeted at affluent middle-class women, it mirrored the increasing affluence in Italian society.<ref name="Bianchina Club Storia"/><ref name="Club Autobianchi histoire"/><ref name="carsfrom Bianchina">{{cite web |url=http://www.carsfromitaly.com/others/index.html |title=Autobianchi Bianchina |website=carsfromitaly.com |access-date=2006-08-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050209015255/http://www.carsfromitaly.com/others/index.html |archive-date=2005-02-09}} ''(accessed via the [[Internet Archive#Wayback Machine|Wayback Machine]])''</ref><ref name="Bianchina Club Storia Bianchina">{{cite web |url=http://www.bianchinaclub.com/ita/servizi/storia_bianchina.htm |title=Storia della Bianchina |work=Bianchina Club |access-date=2006-08-08 |language=it}}</ref>

The first Bianchina rolled from the production lines in Desio on September 11, 1957, and had the unusual body style of a two-door [[Landaulet (car)|landaulet]], called ''"Trasformabile"''. It remained the sole body style until 1960, when a two-door ''"Cabriolet"'' full [[convertible]] was introduced, followed by a three-door [[Estate car|estate]] version, the ''"Panoramica"'' and a two-door [[Sedan (car)|saloon]], the ''"Berlina"''. Finally, two [[van]] versions were launched: one resembling a two-seater version of the ''Panoramica'', and another, with a raised and expanded cargo section.<ref name="Bianchina Club Storia"/><ref name="Club Autobianchi histoire"/><ref name="carsfrom Bianchina"/><ref name="Bianchina Club Storia Bianchina"/>

===Stellina and Primula &ndash; Autobianchi pioneers new concepts===
{{main|Autobianchi Stellina|Autobianchi Primula}}
Five years after the debut of the Bianchina, at the 1963 [[Turin Motor Show]], a completely new Autobianchi model debuted: the [[Autobianchi Stellina]]. A two-door [[Roadster (automobile)|spider]] based on the [[Fiat 600|Fiat 600D's]] chassis was distinguished by its fibreglass body, designed by [[Tom Tjaarda]]. It was Italy's first production car with such a body.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025}} The vehicle was only produced for two years (1964 and 1965) and only 502 Stellinas were made. Nevertheless, the model was an important step in the development of new technology for Fiat and the rest of the automotive industry. Its lofty price-tag of almost a million [[Italian lira|lira]] further emphasized the elevated status of the Autobianchi brand within the Fiat empire.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
[[File:Autobianchi Primula in Benelux.jpg|thumb|left|Autobianchi Primula 3-door]]
Even more important was the following year's presentation, the [[Autobianchi Primula]]. It was Fiat's first attempt at a [[front-wheel drive]] car with a [[transverse engine]], a configuration popularized by the [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Mini]] and allowing for very compact and efficient utilization of the body space. Designed by Fiat's technical director, [[Dante Giacosa]], it was launched under the Autobianchi brand to test market reaction to the new concept. The Primula's particular configuration of front wheel drive with a transverse engine,  but with a gearbox on the end of the engine and unequal length drive shafts, rather than a gearbox in the sump like the Mini, became universal; as did its use of conventional steel suspension in almost all other cars with the exception of Citroen – usually [[MacPherson strut]]s at the front and a "dead" rear axle. Indeed, Peugeot in facelifting their 305 range on the early 1980s switched from their former adherence to the Mini in-sump gearbox to the Primula's end-on gearbox configuration. The Primula is thus a car design of far greater significance than is often realised, as its design influence spread far beyond even the mainstream high volume Fiats such as the 127 and the 128 of the late 1960s. Even though the new Autobianchi was priced higher than Fiat models of similar size, the car met with a favorable reception. Fiat would gradually move all of its models to front-wheel drive.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

Throughout its production run the Primula was available as a two-door or four-door saloon, three-door of five-door [[hatchback]], and two-door coupé, with either a 1,221&nbsp;cc or a 1,197&nbsp;cc four-cylinder engine. The top-of-the-line Primula Coupé S used a 75&nbsp;PS ([[Horsepower#SAE gross|SAE]]) 1,438&nbsp;cc four-cylinder from the Fiat 124 Special. The lack of a fifth gear limited the high-end capacity of all Primula models.<ref>{{cite web |title=A profile of the Autobianchi brand |url=http://ranwhenparked.net/2010/04/20/a-profile-of-the-autobianchi-brand/ |website=ranwhenparked.net}}</ref>

===Into the 1970s===
{{main|Autobianchi A111|Autobianchi A112}}
[[File:Autobianchi A112 3rd series, Schaffen-Diest 2012.jpg|thumb|right|Autobianchi A112]]
Facing a crisis in the motorcycle market, Bianchi was forced to sell its share in Autobianchi and the company was finally fully integrated into Fiat S.p.A. in 1968. 1969 marked many important developments for the marque. First of all, Bianchina production was finally stopped. Moreover, Autobianchi was positioned within the Fiat Group under the control of the newly acquired luxury marque [[Lancia]]. And significantly, two new Autobianchi models were launched this year: the [[Autobianchi A111]] and [[Autobianchi A112]],<ref name="Bianchina Club Storia" /><ref name="Club Autobianchi histoire" /><ref name="carsfrom Bianchina"/><ref name="carsfrom Autobianchi">{{cite web|url=http://www.carsfromitaly.com/others/index.html |title=Autobianchi |website=carsfromitaly.com |access-date=2006-08-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050209015255/http://www.carsfromitaly.com/others/index.html |archive-date=2005-02-09}} ''(accessed via the [[Internet Archive#Wayback Machine|Wayback Machine]])''</ref> both named after their internal Fiat development codes, in a similar fashion to coeval Fiat-branded vehicles.<ref name="mallisarjat">{{cite web |url=http://www.ajovalo.net/Fiat_sarjat.htm |title=Fiat/Lancia/Alfa Romeo mallisarjat |work=Ajovalo |access-date=2006-08-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060823130026/http://www.ajovalo.net/Fiat_sarjat.htm |archive-date=23 August 2006 |url-status=live |language=fi}}</ref>

The A111 was derived from Primula mechanicals, but much bigger and more spacious, marking the first (and only) entry of the brand into the [[small family car]] class. As usual, it was priced higher than similar Fiat models, notably the first front-wheel drive Fiat ''per se'', the [[Fiat 128]], and did not find much favour with customers. After little more than 50,000 A111s were made, production ended in 1972.
The A112 was much more successful. A modern, front-wheel drive [[Supermini car|supermini]] it was in many ways similar to the [[Innocenti Mini]], which gained substantial popularity in Italy, following on from the popularity of the original [[Mini]] throughout [[Europe]]. Similarly, the A112 saw strong demand and built a loyal following, reinforced by the introduction of [[Abarth]] sporting versions and Autobianchi's engagement in racing with modified versions of the model.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

With Primula production ceasing in 1970 and the quick demise of the A111, Autobianchi became effectively a one-model brand. Consequently, the A112 was marketed as a Lancia from the mid-1970s in most markets, except for Italy, France and Israel, where it retained the Autobianchi branding until the end of production.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

===Discontinuation===
The A112 continued in production for 17 years, with frequent, often substantial, changes. After production over 1,250,000, the last A112 was built in May 1986 and was replaced by the [[Autobianchi Y10]], based mechanically on the [[Fiat Panda]]. Branded as a Lancia for most export markets (except for France and Israel, until 1989), it retained Autobianchi badging and branding in Italy. The Desio plant closed in 1992 and the Y10 replaced by the [[Lancia Ypsilon|Lancia Y]] (branded as Lancia in all markets including Italy), the Autobianchi brand ended  in 1996.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}

The rights to the brand are now held by the ''Registro Autobianchi'', the official club of the marque in Italy.<ref name="Club Autobianchi histoire"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons cat}}
* [http://www.autobianchi.org/ita2/index.asp Registro Autobianchi website]

{{Autobianchi}}
{{Fiat}}
{{Automotive industry in Italy}}

[[Category:Autobianchi| ]]
[[Category:Car manufacturers of Italy]]
[[Category:Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of Italy]]
[[Category:Fiat]]
[[Category:Bianchi (company)]]
[[Category:Italian companies established in 1955]]
[[Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1955]]
[[Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies disestablished in 1995]]
[[Category:Italian automotive pioneers]]