Freedom of movement is a fundamental civil right. And ensuring mobility to all, regardless of physical or civil status, is a towering achievement. Resources, infrastructures and laws are not enough. Something extra is required: the entire community must make an intuitive and cultural leap. With the aim of focusing the attention of the crowds of youngsters attracted to the Bologna Motor Show, the Fiat Group has set up a stand extending for more than 200 m2 devoted to the Autonomy Programme that completed ten years of consistent commitment to this field in 2005.

Fiat has now been promoting this initiative since 1995 with the aim of producing individual and collective services and vehicles for people with reduced motor capacities and to help disabled people become mobile. Fiat considers that guaranteeing mobility to all is not simply a great moral and civil aim, a goal the entire community must strive for, but also a fundamental premise for economic and cultural development in present-day society. We have long been pouring our commitment and energy into achieving what we feel to be the specific duty of any automotive manufacturer. In other words, to design and produce technical solutions that allow everyone the possibility of using a means of transport - whether individual and collective - without limitations of any kind.

This activity is in any case perfectly consistent with the true vocation of an enterprise that by its very nature operates on the market in accordance with strictly financial considerations to meet human needs. In other words, to meet the needs of all customers, of all customers: including the disabled and the elderly. This was the thinking behind the introduction of the Autonomy programme within Fiat Auto in 1995. This choice was not made by chance but based on the consideration that the car is the most flexible way to promote freedom of movement because it lacks the architectural barriers that affect the use of collective transport vehicles. Not to mention the fact that technological progress has now made available a whole set of auxiliary devices that are increasingly well-adapted to supporting different types of motor impairment: from Dual Drive gearboxes to parking sensors.

In the wake of these reflections and with the backing of certain disabled associations and sector operators, a specific department was set up within Fiat Auto. In other words, an organisational unit responsible for developing and marketing products and services destined for people with handicaps. Services also received special attention, with the setting up of Mobility Centres, external structures that cooperate with public authorities to aid the issue of special licences.

The Centres - currently 14 in Italy, 12 in the rest of Europe and 3 in Brazil - perform aptitude tests and assess psychomotor ability. They also advise on the most appropriate technical solutions for each individual using very advanced tools such as driving simulators. They must be doing an excellent job because more than one thousand people attend these centres each year in Europe. The results were looking so encouraging by 2001 that Fiat was prompted to extend the project to all three brands in the Group. From that moment, Autonomy therefore became a commitment across the board to connect and involve all Fiat companies that directly or indirectly work within the people transport field. With an eye to the future, the mobility project also extends to technological research activities, particularly in the field of ergonomics and safety systems.

These research activities will form an integral part of the work of the product platforms that are responsible for producing more legible on-board instruments, less tiring driving systems, lowered floorpans and much more. Innovations that are useful to the disabled and elderly - or any customer for that matter. A good number of technical applications designed for the disabled and elderly can be transferred to 'standard' production with great advantages to all users.

Adapted cars alone are not enough to ensure mobility. We need to resolve the broad-ranging and complex question of intermodal transport systems and break down the architectural barriers that prevent the use of vehicles. The industry cannot take sole responsibility for tackling this question. The thing the industry can do is to prepare the technical ground to ensure that we can transfer seamlessly from the use of individual means of transport to the use of an integrated vehicle system. And then declare our full willingness to cooperate in studying, understanding and, above all, playing a hands-on part in helping the many people who are involved in this field by responsibility or by choice.
 

The 'Turin 2006' section on the stand features our preparations for the future winter Olympics and also the Paralympics, a sporting and human challenge that Fiat Autonomy has fully embraced because it sends out a heartfelt message to all: everyone is able, it is simply that our abilities are different - the same abilities that spurred our Italian athletes to win so many medals at the Athens Paralympic Games in 2004. Some of these athletes will visit the Fiat Autonomy stand during the Motor Show itself and will be able to see the latest specially-outfitted Fiat Group models at first hand: Grande Punto, Croma and New Doblò. The first represents the youthful, sport side of mobility; the second represents comfort and quintessential Italian class - and the third stands for sturdy practicality.

Grande Punto, Croma and New Doblò join the Autonomy programme

Fiat Auto will be exhibiting just a few of its huge selection of vehicles for the disabled at the 30th Bologna Motor Show. The Autonomy programme is now an integral part of Fiat Auto's policies: all new Fiat models are planned from the design stage to ensure they are easily adaptable to special assisted mobility equipment. This commitment has also been backed by special know-how acquired in the field and cooperation with the main body conversion specialists. Our commitment is best exemplified by the cars on show in Bologna. These stars of the Autonomy stand all offer great roominess and outstanding access, plus a host of major devices to ensure easy, convenient vehicle use. The Grande Punto and Croma on show are equipped with a 1.3 Multijet engine and a 1.9 Multijet engine with automatic transmission respectively. These new models have aroused the interest of the public and press since they were first launched and can be seen here fitted with certain special devices. Namely an electronic accelerator ring, a device that converts an accelerator pedal into a steering wheel control and a long-armed service brake that converts a pedal brake into a manual control near the steering wheel. And more: an electronic automatic clutch that allows gear changes without depression of the clutch pedal at the barest touch of a switch on the gear lever.

These vehicles, like all others in the Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Lancia range, may be fitted with these and other special devices (such as a sliding door, wheelchair loader and swivelling seats) to facilitate driving for the disabled. All these devices are easy to install and fit neatly into the passenger compartment without impairing car user-friendliness, passenger room, comfort and safety. They can also be fitted alongside standard controls to enable the car to be driven by people without motor difficulties as well. They can also be easily removed with the advantage that the car can be sold as a specially-equipped car or a normal car.

The stand also includes a space for a New Doblò equipped with a lively 1.4 16v engine and specially equipped for carrying disabled people. The model on show features the Dynamic specification with glazed high top and high rear side-hinged doors that allow a wheelchair direct access to the vehicle by virtue of the 25 centimetres of extra space at the top. Rear access is made possible by a lift that stows away within the floorpan so that the entire load compartment can be exploited when it is not in use. The laminated wood rear floor is covered with linoleum and equipped with guides and hooks to anchor the wheelchair during transport. The double rear bench (that replaces the single seat) also enables the wheelchair to be arranged to the right of the vehicle thus allowing more space and visibility for the disabled person. The metal high top is fitted with a generous smoked front window (to protect the occupants from sunlight) and two long side windows that give a good view outside. The height of the rear opening (1450 millimetres) and the maximum load compartment height (1550 millimetres) set the New Doblò at the top of its category in terms of rear access and passenger room.

The Fiat Autonomy stand also allows visitors to have a close look at a new system for loading wheelchairs by means of a Vangater II lift. This device, designed to take up the minimum amount of room on board, is lighter, more compact and meets all safety standards. The folding, nonslip platform is made out of steel and is controlled by a wire-operated remote control at the press of a button. And more: a new position sensor prevents possible accidents and automatic barriers operate as the wheelchair is raised and lowered to ensure maximum safety during operations. Lastly, the new Vangater II lift is hydraulic and equipped with a manual emergency operating device.