Hispano Suiza

Founded in 1904 in Barcelona by Damián Mateu and Swiss engineer Marc Birkigt, Hispano Suiza initially rose to prominence as a premier manufacturer of luxury automobiles and high-performance aircraft engines. During the early 20th century, the brand was a direct competitor to Rolls-Royce and Bugatti, known for technical innovations and serving European royalty. However, car production ceased in the late 1940s following the Spanish Civil War and the restructuring of the Spanish industrial landscape. In 2019, the brand was officially relaunched by the Suqué Mateu family, the great-grandchildren of Damián Mateu. At the Geneva Motor Show that year, they unveiled the Carmen, a fully electric hypercar named after Carmen Mateu, the late president of the company and granddaughter of the founder. This marked the brand's return to the automotive stage after seven decades of dormancy. The modern incarnation of Hispano Suiza operates under the 'Hispano Suiza Cars' banner, emphasizing bespoke craftsmanship and limited production runs. The company utilizes its heritage to market vehicles that are both high-tech and historically referential, such as the Carmen Boulogne and the Carmen Sagrera, which continue to push the boundaries of electric performance. Today, the company maintains a strategic partnership with QEV Technologies, a Spanish engineering firm specializing in electric racing and electromobility. This collaboration allows the boutique manufacturer to leverage Formula E-derived technology for its road-going hypercars, ensuring that the brand remains at the cutting edge of the EV transition.