Alfa Romeo

Founded on June 24, 1910, in Milan as A.L.F.A. (Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili), the company was established by a group of investors who took over the local facilities of the French carmaker Darracq. The brand quickly gained prestige through motorsport success, particularly with the 24 HP model. In 1915, during World War I, the company came under the direction of Neapolitan entrepreneur Nicola Romeo, who converted the factory for military production; the brand was officially renamed Alfa Romeo in 1920 with the release of the Torpedo 20-30 HP.

The 1920s and 1930s represented a golden era for the brand, dominated by legendary racing successes in the Mille Miglia and Le Mans. During this period, Enzo Ferrari managed the Alfa Corse racing team before departing to start his own firm. Under the ownership of the Italian government's holding company, IRI, from 1933 onwards, Alfa Romeo produced some of the world's most expensive and technologically advanced luxury cars and aero-engines. Following World War II, the company shifted toward mass-produced sporty vehicles to ensure financial viability, leading to the creation of the successful Giulietta and Giulia series.

By the 1970s and 80s, the company faced mounting financial and quality control issues while under state control. In 1986, the Italian government sold Alfa Romeo to the Fiat Group to prevent a takeover by Ford. Under Fiat’s ownership, Alfa Romeo shared platforms with other Group brands, leading to models like the 156 and 147 which revived the brand's aesthetic appeal but struggled to recapture the unique mechanical identity of earlier decades.

In the 21st century, the brand underwent a significant transformation under Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) with the development of the 'Giorgio' rear-wheel-drive platform. This billion-dollar investment resulted in the critically acclaimed Giulia sedan and Stelvio SUV, designed to compete directly with German luxury marques. Following the 2021 merger of FCA and PSA to form Stellantis, Alfa Romeo has been positioned as a global premium brand, embarking on an aggressive electrification strategy and expanding its lineup with electrified crossovers like the Tonale and the all-electric Junior.