Autobianchi Y10

The Autobianchi Y10 is a supermini economy car manufactured from 1985 to 1996 and marketed as the Lancia Y10 in most export markets. It was built at Fiat's Autobianchi plant in Desio, Milan, until 1992, and subsequently in Arese and Pomigliano d'Arco, near Alfa Romeo's facilities. Despite its placement in the economy segment, the Y10 offered a relatively high level of standard equipment. It also introduced a new rear rigid axle suspension design (known as the Omega axle), which was later adopted by the facelifted Fiat Panda. With a drag coefficient of just 0.31, the Y10 achieved impressive aerodynamic efficiency for its compact dimensions.

The model sold reasonably well, with approximately 667,000 units produced in its first seven years, despite being positioned as a more expensive and niche-oriented alternative to its Fiat counterparts. Its success was aided by a combination of distinctive styling, upscale interior trim, and superior fuel economy resulting from its aerodynamics. Sales in the United Kingdom, however, were consistently weak, leading to its withdrawal from that market in late 1991, preceding Lancia's exit from Britain and all other right-hand-drive markets by more than two years. The brand continued in the supermini segment in left-hand-drive countries with the similarly positioned Ypsilon.