Company overview
Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A., established in Milan, Italy in 1910 as A.L.F.A., began as a subsidiary of Darracq and was later acquired by Nicola Romeo in 1915. The company initially produced cars for the Italian and Allied war efforts during World War I, changing its name to Alfa Romeo in 1920. Throughout the 1920s and 30s, Alfa Romeo achieved success in motorsport, winning the inaugural AIACR World Manufacturers’ Championship. Following periods of government ownership and financial difficulty, Alfa Romeo was acquired by Fiat Group in 1986. The company continued to produce distinctive sports and luxury vehicles, often with innovative engine designs like the Twin Cam. In the 1960s and 70s, Alfa Romeo focused on production-based racing models such as the GTA and Tipo 33. The Pomigliano d’Arco factory, intended to produce Alfa Sud, faced significant challenges due to labor unrest and construction difficulties. By the 1980s, Alfa Romeo was operating at a loss, leading to its sale by the Italian government. Subsequently, it became part of Fiat’s sports and luxury division, sharing platforms and engines with Maserati.
