During this period, Fiat greatly benefited from two major sources of support: Mussolini’s public works programs and then the Marshall Plan. Fiat’s automotive business was not thriving. Since 1945, the group had only released the 1400 sedan in 1950 and the 600 in 1955. The Fiat 500 would be powered by a 500cc two-cylinder engine, hence its name. Size and weight were kept to a minimum. Space was freed up, and Dante Giacosa, under the direction of Vittorio Valletta, managed to create a well-designed interior and a reasonably sized trunk. Giacosa designed a canvas roof, giving it a touch of whimsy. With a more powerful engine than the 2CV, the Fiat 500 would go on to sell 3.6 million units.