License

Many of the flagship investments of the Gierek era were based on Western licences to be paid for in finished products, and the income from their export was intended by the economic managers to provide Poland with a much-needed influx of foreign currency. A model and probably the most successful example of such a solution was the start of production of the Polish Fiat 126p.

Photo 1.

The launch of the production of a popular small-engine car was announced by Edward Gierek in a speech at the 8th plenary session of the Central Committee of PZPR in February 1971. Information about talks with other socialist countries on the matter was just a smokescreen.

‘Trybuna Ludu’ of 9 February 1971, No. 40, p. 1 (collections of the Ossolineum Library / Periodicals Department)

Photo 2, 3.

Western car manufacturers, including Renault, Citroën and Volkswagen, expressed an interest in cooperating in the production of a popular car for Poles. However, as early as July 1970, a few months before the change of government in Poland, Tadeusz Wrzaszczyk, director of Zjednoczenie Przemysłu Motoryzacyjnego POLMO (POLMO Automotive Industry Association), met Giovanni Agnelli, president of FIAT, in Turin to discuss starting production of a small-engine car in Poland. The official agreement was signed in Warsaw on 29 October 1971.

‘Wieczór Wrocławia’ of 30 October – 1 November 1971, No. 255, p. 1 (collections of the Ossolineum Library / Periodicals Department)

‘Wieczór Wrocławia’ of 30 October–1 November 1971, No. 255, p. 8 (collections of the Ossolineum Library / Periodicals Department)

Photo 4.

The Italian proposal best met Polish expectations because, unlike its competitors, FIAT agreed for the licence to be paid off with ready-made power units. Moreover, our automotive industry had a long tradition with the Italian company, dating back to the 1930s, when the licensed production of cars under the Polski Fiat brand began at the National Engineering Works.

‘Auto’ 1934, No. 3 (collections of the Ossolineum Library / Periodicals Department)

Photo 5.

From November 1967, the Polish Fiat 125p was produced under licence at Fabryka Samochodów Osobowych, which played an important role in the choice of contractor for the production of the small-engine car.

Cover of the promotional folder for the Polish Fiat 125p (collections of Piotr Sroka)