Paolo Fresco, the architect of Fiat's short-lived alliance with General Motors, has died at the age of 93, Italian media reported.
Fresco chaired Fiat from June 1998 to February 2003, a turbulent period for the Italian automaker. Before that role, he served as the number two executive at General Electric. During his tenure at Fiat, he negotiated the alliance with General Motors, a landmark deal aimed at stabilizing the carmaker.
John Elkann, the current head of the Agnelli family holding, described Fresco as "a great Italian" and a mentor.