Matteo Ceirano

For other uses of Ceirano, see Ceirano

Matteo Ceirano (1870 in Cuneo - 19 March 1941 in Torino) was an Italian businessman in the early automobile industry who co-founded the manufacturers Ceirano; Itala Fabrica Automobile in 1904 and Società Piemontese Automobili (S.P.A.) in 1908.

Background

The Ceirano brothers, Giovani Battista, Giovanni, Ernesto and Matteo, were highly influential in the founding of the Italian auto industry, being variously responsible for : Ceirano; Welleyes (the basis of Fiat); SCAT (Società Ceirano Automobili Torino); Itala and S.P.A. (Società Piemontese Automobili). Giovanni's son Giovanni "Ernesto" was also influential, co-founding Fabbrica Automobili Ceirano and Fabrica Anonima Torinese Automobili (FATA).

In 1888, after eight years apprenticeship at his father's watch-making business, Giovanni Battista Ceirano started building Welleyes bicycles, so named because English names had more sales appeal. In October 1898 Giovanni co-founded Ceirano GB & C and started producing the Welleyes motor car in 1899. In July 1899 the plant and patents were sold to Giovanni Agnelli and produced as the first F.I.A.T.s. In 1904 Matteo left Ceirano GB & C to create his own brand - Itala. In 1906 Matteo left Itala to found S.P.A. (Società Piemontese Automobili) with chief designer, Alberto Ballacco. In 1906 Giovanni founded SCAT (Società Ceirano Automobili Torino) in Turin.

Notes

With Giovanni, he created the Ceirano Matteo & C. (1903), which became Ceirano Matteo & C. - Vetture Marca Itala (1904), which was renamed the Itala Fabrica Automobile manufacturing company later that same year. With Michele Ansaldi (the founder of Ansaldi automobiles) he established the Società Piemontese Automobili (1908), from which both retired in 1918.

See also

• Ceirano GB & C
• Itala, car manufacturer based in Turin from 1904-1934, started in 1903 by Matteo Ceirano and five partners
• List of automobile companies founded by the Ceirano brothers