Ceirano Fabbrica Automobili, orCeirano Giovanni Fabbrica Automobili orGiovanni Ceirano Fabbrica Automobili[1] was an Italian automobile manufacturer from Turin, founded in 1919 byGiovanni Ceirano and his sonGiovanni "Ernesto" Ceirano.
The company was active from 1919 until 25 August 1923 when Giovanni amalgamated it with 'Società Ceirano Automobili Torino (S.C.A.T.), which he had founded in 1906 and left in 1917, to formSCAT-Ceirano.
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-founding Ceirano Fabbrica Automobili (aka Giovanni Ceirano Fabbrica Automobili) andFabrica Anonima Torinese Automobili (FATA).
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-founded Ceirano Fabbrica Automobili (aka Giovanni Ceirano Fabbrica Automobili) and in 1922 they took control ofFabrica Anonima Torinese Automobili (FATA).
Giovanni and Ernesto sold their main share-holding inS.C.A.T. in 1917, and in 1919Ceirano Fabbrica Automobili's new range was based on the pre-war (1914) S.C.A.T.. At least one Ceirano ( a 1924 model ) exists today .