Giovanni Ceirano (Cuneo, 1865 –Turin, March 30, 1948) was an Italian industrialist and automotive pioneer. He cofounded 'Junior Fabbrica Automobili Torinese' in 1905, 'Società Ceirano Automobili Torino' in 1906, 'Fabbrica Automobili Ceirano' in 1917 and 'SCAT- Ceirano' in 1923.
The Ceirano brothers,Giovanni Battista, Giovanni,Ernesto andMatteo, were influential in the founding of the Italian auto industry, being variously responsible for:Ceirano;Welleyes (the technical basis of F.I.A.T.);Fratelli Ceirano;S.T.A.R. / Rapid (Società Torinese Automobili Rapid);SCAT (Società Ceirano Automobili Torino);Itala andS.P.A. (Società Piemontese Automobili). Giovanni's sonGiovanni "Ernesto" was also influential, co-foundingCeirano Fabbrica Automobili (akaGiovanni Ceirano Fabbrica Automobili) andFabrica Anonima Torinese Automobili (FATA).[1]
In 1888, after eight years apprenticeship at his father's watch-making business, Giovanni Battista started buildingWelleyes bicycles, so named because English names had more sales appeal.[2] In October 1898 Giovanni Battista and Matteo co-foundedCeirano GB & C and started producing theWelleyes motor car in 1899. In July 1899 the plant and patents were sold toGiovanni Agnelli and produced as the firstF.I.A.T.s - theFiat 4 HP. Giovanni Battista was employed by Fiat as the agent for Italy, but within a year he left to foundFratelli Ceirano & C. which in 1903 becameSocietà Torinese Automobili Rapid (S.T.A.R.) building cars badged as 'Rapid'. In 1904Matteo Ceirano left Ceirano GB & C to create his own brand -Itala. In 1906 Matteo left Itala to foundS.P.A. (Società Piemontese Automobili) with chief designer, Alberto Ballacco. In 1906 Giovanni foundedSCAT (Società Ceirano Automobili Torino) in Turin. In 1919 Giovanni and Giovanni "Ernesto" co-foundedCeirano Fabbrica Automobili (akaGiovanni Ceirano Fabbrica Automobili) and in 1922 they took control ofFabrica Anonima Torinese Automobili (FATA).
Giovanni was born in Cuneo in 1865, the second of four brothers born to Giovanni Ceirano, a watchmaker, and Teresa Corino.[3]
In 1904 Giovanni founded the car manufacturerCeirano Junior & C., which in 1905 changed its name toJunior Fabbrica Automobili Torinese.
In 1906 he left Junior to co-founder and become managing director of theSocietà Ceirano Automobili Torino (SCAT) He remained as Managing Director until 1918.
In 1919 he founded theFabbrica Automobili Ceirano with his son Giovanni "Ernesto". Giovanni while Fabbrica Automobili managed the Ceirano gets the shares of the SCAT, getting a majority stake.
On 25 August 1923 he increased the capital of SCAT by 700,000 liras by amalgamatingFabbrica Automobili Ceirano with 'SCAT' to formSCAT-Ceirano.
In 1929 SCAT-Ceirano suffers economic difficulties and FIAT acquired a controlling interest. In 1931 he left SCAT-Ceirano.
In 1934 he acquired the car companyFabrica Anonima Torinese Automobili (FATA) again with his son Giovanni "Ernesto". Fiat had imposed legal restrictions on the sale of SCAT-Ceirano preventing him from being an automotive manufacturer, so the FATA business was reoriented to make auto parts in 1945.
Giovanni Ceirano died inLa Cassa on March 30, 1948.
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