The Pilkington Group's Automotive Business Line is supplying all the glass for the 50th anniversary launched version of Fiat's iconic Cinquecento.

The Pilkington Group's Automotive Business Line is supplying all the glass for the 50th anniversary launched version of Fiat's iconic Cinquecento. Presented in July this year, the new 500 is seen as evidence of the Italian national marque's return to the top after a period in the doldrums. Sales are already exceeding the forecast of 120,000 vehicles per year, with production at Fiat's Tychy plant in Poland currently edging past the 150,000 level.

"We are delighted to share in the Cinquecento's success," said Fiat programme manager Mario Giuliani. "The car's design builds on the appeal of the very first 500, which was such a huge success, and development work went smoothly despite the deadline being pulled forward on a number of occasions."

Founded in 1826 and a member of NSG group from June 2006, Pilkington is a leader in the global flat glass industry, one of the world's largest manufacturers of glass and glazing products, and with combined annual sales coming in at around £4 billion. It has ownership or interests in 50 float lines on five continents, with a total annual output of 6.4 million tonnes of float glass. It has 36,000 employees worldwide, manufacturing operations in 26 countries and sales in more than 130 countries.

The Fiat 500's rear quarterlight is being produced at San Salvo, with encapsulation at Settimo, and the remainder of the glass is being manufactured at Sandomierz. All the glass is being supplied to Fiat through Sandomierz. "This is a very important contract for us," said account manager Marco Donati. "We have worked hard to support Fiat through a period of crisis and now the Cinquecento's success is a tribute to the commitment of everyone involved."