The early days of marketing Swedish carmaker SAAB in Italy are linked to importer Sidauto SpA, an Italian firm specialized in placing new car brands on the Italian market for some fifty years. Founded by Pagani family in the early 1950s, Sidauto began importing and distributing for Peugeot in Italy. In 1971 Sidauto became exclusive  importer for Mazda, following the creation of the EEC and partial free-trade agreements in Europe, when Peugeot opened its own offices in Italy. In 1975 Sidauto signed on as  exclusive Italian importer and distributer for SAAB. Sidauto imported and distributed for Czech carmaker Skoda from 1981 to 1992, when the company joined the Volkswagen Group.
In January 2000 Sidauto terminated its relationships with SAAB and Mazda following their opening of Italian branches. Alongside its automobile division, Sidauto began developing the urban mobility and free-time areas with the “iplusbysidauto” division, which operated until the end of 2004. Since 2005 Sidauto has dealt exclusively in the real estate sector.