Alfa Romeo
Company History
Alfa Romeo History: Founding, Growth & Key Milestones
Founded 1910 in Milan, Italy
When was Alfa Romeo founded?
Alfa Romeo was founded in 1910 in Milan, Italy by Alexandre Darracq, Ugo Stella and Nicola Romeo, making it 116 years old.
- Founded
- 1910
- Founding place
- Milan, Italy
- Founders
- Alexandre Darracq, Ugo Stella and Nicola Romeo
- Headquarters today
- Turin, Piedmont, Italy
- Milestones documented
- 16 (1906–2025)
- Current CEO
- Santo Ficili
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1906 | Darracq opens Italian operation |
| 1910 | A.L.F.A. is founded |
| 1915 | Nicola Romeo takes over Portello |
| 1920 | Alfa Romeo name appears |
| 1923 | Quadrifoglio enters competition |
| 1925 | First Grand Prix world title |
| 1933 | IRI state ownership begins |
| 1950 | First Formula One championship |
| 1986 | Fiat acquires Alfa Romeo |
| 2015 | New Giulia is unveiled |
| 2021 | Stellantis ownership and Turin office |
| 2022 | Tonale launch |
| 2023 | New 33 Stradale presented |
| 2024 | Milano renamed Junior |
| 2024 | Santo Ficili becomes CEO |
| 2025 | Global registrations exceed 73,000 |
- Where was Alfa Romeo founded?
- Alfa Romeo was founded in Milan, Italy in 1910. wikidata.org
- Who founded Alfa Romeo?
- Alfa Romeo was founded by Alexandre Darracq, Ugo Stella and Nicola Romeo.
- When did Alfa Romeo start?
- Alfa Romeo was founded in 1910.
- How old is Alfa Romeo?
- Alfa Romeo is 116 years old as of 2026.
Founding Story
French automaker Alexandre Darracq opened Italian operations in Naples in 1906 and moved production to Portello in Milan that December. After the operation struggled, managing director Ugo Stella secured local financing, took over the factory and rehired its workforce. Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili, or A.L.F.A., was founded on June 24, 1910. Nicola Romeo's company took over Portello on December 2, 1915, and later combined the Alfa name with his surname on postwar cars.
Founders
Alexandre Darracq
Alexandre Darracq (1855-1931) founded Società Anonima Italiana Darracq (SAID) in 1906, which eventually became ALFA. He initially attempted to sell his French cars in Italy, but the models were entirely unsuited for Italian roads. The financial failure of this venture led to the company being bought out by Italian investors and rebranded as ALFA. Darracq was born on November 10, 1855 and died in 1931. By 1904 his company was building more than ten percent of all cars made in France, and he sold a large part of the business to British investors. His commitment to a rotary-valve engine proved a commercial failure and he retired in 1912. (Exact birth year remains publicly undisclosed).
Ugo Stella
Ugo Stella (1866-1938) was the Managing Director who effectively saved the company from Darracq's initial failure. He partnered with Italian investors to buy out the factory in Milan and formally renamed the company A.L.F.A. (Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili) in 1910, shifting the focus to high-performance, Italian-designed vehicles. Ugo Stella was born in 1866.
Nicola Romeo
Nicola Romeo (1876-1938) acquired ALFA in 1915 to convert its massive factories into wartime production facilities for the Italian military (manufacturing aircraft engines and munitions). Following World War I, he resumed car production and officially appended his surname to the brand, creating 'Alfa Romeo' in 1920, and cementing its legacy in Grand Prix racing. Nicola Romeo was born in 1876.
Key Milestones
Darracq opens Italian operation
Darracq opens in Naples and moves production to Portello in Milan.
Source: media.stellantis.comA.L.F.A. is founded
Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili is founded in Milan on June 24.
Source: media.stellantis.comNicola Romeo takes over Portello
Romeo's company takes over the factory on December 2.
Source: media.stellantis.comAlfa Romeo name appears
Postwar cars begin using the combined Alfa Romeo name.
Source: media.stellantis.comQuadrifoglio enters competition
Ugo Sivocci wins the Targa Florio with the four-leaf clover on his car.
Source: media.stellantis.comFirst Grand Prix world title
Alfa Romeo wins the inaugural Grand Prix World Championship with the P2.
Source: media.stellantis.comIRI state ownership begins
Alfa Romeo comes under the Italian state holding company IRI.
Source: britannica.comFirst Formula One championship
Giuseppe Farina wins the inaugural F1 drivers' championship for Alfa Romeo.
Source: media.stellantis.comNew Giulia is unveiled
The rear-wheel-drive Giulia is presented on the company's 105th anniversary.
Source: media.stellantis.comStellantis ownership and Turin office
Alfa Romeo joins Stellantis and opens its headquarters at Centro Stile in Turin.
Source: media.stellantis.comTonale launch
The first electrified Alfa Romeo enters production at Pomigliano d'Arco.
Source: media.stellantis.comNew 33 Stradale presented
Alfa Romeo presents a coachbuilt series limited to 33 sold units.
Source: alfaromeo.comMilano renamed Junior
Alfa Romeo changes the compact crossover's name after a government objection.
Source: media.stellantis.comSanto Ficili becomes CEO
Stellantis appoints Ficili as Alfa Romeo CEO in October.
Source: stellantis.comGlobal registrations exceed 73,000
Alfa Romeo reports 20.1% worldwide registration growth for 2025.
Source: media.stellantis.comKeep researching Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Company History FAQ
What does A.L.F.A. mean?
It means Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili.
When was Romeo added to the name?
The combined name appeared on postwar cars after Nicola Romeo's company had taken over the factory in 1915.
When was Alfa Romeo founded?
The company was founded in Milan, Italy, in 1910 as A.L.F.A. (Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili).
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