This was a sign that Umberto Agnelli and his small, well-regarded staff will abandon at least one shibboleth.

ECONOMIST: The Agnelli investment vehicle

The loss of Umberto Agnelli could loosen the Agnelli dynasty's grip on the industrial empire it founded more than 100 years ago.

BBC: Umberto Agnelli became Fiat chairman in February 2003

Umberto Agnelli visited Mr Berlusconi on December 10th and the prime minister devoted much of the day to intervention in the affairs of Italy's most famous industrial company.

ECONOMIST: Fiat