Company overview
Simca was a French automaker founded in 1934 by Fiat S.p.A., initially directed by Henri Pigozzi. From 1935 to 1963, Italian influence was significant through Pigozzi’s leadership and close ties with Fiat. The company became increasingly controlled by Chrysler in the 1960s, culminating in its absorption into Chrysler’s European operations in 1978. Prior to this, Simca was one of France’s leading automobile manufacturers, known for models like the 1100 and 1307. These vehicles were produced in France, Brazil, Spain, Australia, Chile, Colombia and the Netherlands during Chrysler’s ownership. The company initially produced Fiat models before transitioning to its own designs, exemplified by the Aronde in 1951. During the post-war period, Simca faced challenges related to nationalization attempts by the French government and navigated complex relationships with its Italian shareholder, Fiat. Chrysler’s acquisition in 1958 and subsequent control solidified this relationship. The Simca Fulgur concept car, designed in 1958, envisioned futuristic automotive technology. By 1967, Simca models were produced at the Poissy factory and featured the Chrysler pentastar logo alongside the Simca badge.
