Fiat Opens New (Almost) All-in-One Styling Center

Fiat has brought all its design activities under one roof by opening a dedicated new studio inside its Mirafiori plant. The move is part of a plan to revitalize the historic facility, which has been producing vehicles for more than half a century.

A former machine shop has been converted to "Officina 83," the new 134,500-square-foot headquarters for Fiat Group's styling department, and there's nearly 88,000 square feet of additional space outside the building dedicated to the new consolidated department.

A staff of about 200, including designers for the Abarth, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Lancia and Maserati divisions, will work here. However, Ferrari will remain a wholly separate entity. Fiat notes that the average age of its designers is just 37.

Separately, there are reports that the forthcoming Alfa Romeo Junior, to debut in 2008, will be built here at Mirafiori. The car is based on the Fiat Grande Punto.