Romi-Isetta marks 70 years as Brazil's first mass-produced car

The Romi-Isetta, recognized as the first passenger vehicle produced in series in Brazil, marks its 70th anniversary in 2026. Produced by Indústrias Romi in Santa Bárbara d’Oeste between 1956 and 1961, the microcar was licensed from the Italian manufacturer Iso.

The first unit rolled off the factory line on June 30, 1956, with an official public presentation occurring in September of that year in São Paulo. The vehicle featured a unique teardrop design and a single front door, making it a symbol of urban mobility for its era.

As part of Brazil's drive for economic independence and industrialization during the Juscelino Kubitschek administration, the model saw increasing levels of nationalization. By 1959, the use of a BMW four-stroke engine helped raise the vehicle's national content from 70% to 78%.