unison.by
25.09.2025 01:52
СП ЗАО «ЮНИСОН» - производство легковых автомобилей, микроавтобусов и спецтехники
In a small workshop in the Polish town of Bielsko-Biała, a team of engineers and technicians were working on a project that would change the course of automotive history. They were developing the first mass-produced compact car in Europe, the Fiat 128, which would later become the basis for the Lada 1200 in the Soviet Union.
The Fiat 128 was a significant departure from the bulky, boxy cars that dominated the European market at the time. Its sleek design, advanced engineering, and affordable price made it an instant success. The car's front-wheel drive system, combined with its transverse engine, was a revolutionary concept that would become the norm for compact cars in the following decades.
The story of the Fiat 128 began in the late 1950s when Fiat's management decided to enter the compact car market. They turned to a young engineering team led by Dante Giacosa, who had previously designed the successful Fiat 600. Giacosa's team set out to create a car that was affordable, efficient, and modern.
The Fiat 128 was unveiled to the public in 1967, and its reception was overwhelming. Orders poured in from all over Europe, and Fiat struggled to keep up with demand. The car's success paved the way for the mass production of compact cars in Europe and beyond.
In the Soviet Union, the Lada 1200, which was based on the Fiat 128, became a cultural icon. The car's affordability and reliability made it a favorite among Soviet citizens, who dubbed it "the people's car." The