Fiat introduced the Albea lineup in 2002 as a low-cost, small-sized vehicle aimed at East European customers and improved it in 2005 so the car could fit into the Euro 4 emission standards, which became mandatory starting in January 2006.

Designed to compete against the Renault Thalia/Symbol and Skoda Fabia Sedan, the three-box Fiat was built in Turkey and sold at a very low price.