Alfa Romeo vs Ferrari: Founders, CEOs and History
Alfa Romeo was founded in 1910 by Alexandre Darracq, Ugo Stella, Nicola Romeo and is led by Santo Ficili. Ferrari was founded in 1947 by Enzo Ferrari and is led by Benedetto Vigna.
Company facts
Alfa Romeo
- Founded
- 1910
- Headquarters
- Turin, Piedmont, Italy
- Current CEO
- Santo Ficili
Ferrari
- Founded
- 1947
- Headquarters
- Maranello, Italy
- Current CEO
- Benedetto Vigna
Founders
Alfa Romeo
Alexandre Darracq
Darracq established the operation from which A.L.F.A. emerged, but he did not found the 1910 company. He placed the Italian business into liquidation in 1909.
Ugo Stella
Stella took over the factory, rehired more than 200 workers and led the founding of Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili on June 24, 1910.
Nicola Romeo
Romeo did not found A.L.F.A. in 1910. His company took over the factory on December 2, 1915, and postwar cars combined Alfa with his surname.
Ferrari
Enzo Ferrari
Enzo Ferrari, famously known as 'Il Commendatore', was a complex, notoriously abrasive, and effective figure. He didn't care about selling road cars; his only passion was winning races.
CEOs and their tenures
Alfa Romeo
- Nicola Romeo1915–1928
Owner and managing director
Romeo was the successor owner whose surname became part of the marque.
Source - Jean-Philippe Imparato2021–2024
CEO
He led Alfa Romeo from Stellantis's formation until the October 2024 management change.
Source - Santo Ficili2024–present
CEO
Ficili is the current CEO of Alfa Romeo.
Source
Ferrari
- Sergio Marchionne2014–2018
Former Chairman and CEO
Marchionne transformed Ferrari from a specialized division within a mass-market automaker into one of the most valuable, capitalized luxury brands in the world.
Source - John Elkann2018–present
Executive Chairman
Represents Ferrari's largest shareholder, Exor, on the board and oversees long-term strategy.
Source - Benedetto Vigna2021–present
Chief Executive Officer
Vigna's leadership marks a profound shift for Ferrari, emphasizing digital innovation and sustainable performance over pure internal combustion heritage.
Source
Timeline: Alfa Romeo and Ferrari side by side
1906Alfa Romeo
Darracq opens an Italian automobile operation in Naples and moves production to Portello in Milan later that year.
The operation became the industrial precursor to A.L.F.A.
1910Alfa Romeo
Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili is founded in Milan on June 24.
Ugo Stella led the takeover of the Portello factory and the creation of A.L.F.A.
1915Alfa Romeo
Nicola Romeo's company takes over the Portello factory on December 2.
The factory was converted to wartime production of munitions and aircraft engines.
1920Alfa Romeo
Postwar vehicles begin carrying the combined Alfa Romeo name.
The name joined the original Alfa identity with Nicola Romeo's surname.
1923Alfa Romeo
Ugo Sivocci wins the Targa Florio with a green four-leaf clover on his Alfa Romeo RL.
The Quadrifoglio became the symbol used on Alfa Romeo racing and high-performance cars.
1925Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo wins the first Grand Prix World Championship with the P2.
The championship was organized by the AIACR.
1933Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo comes under Italian state holding company IRI.
State ownership continued until the sale to Fiat in 1986.
1947Ferrari
Company Founded
Enzo Ferrari founded the company.
1950Alfa Romeo
Giuseppe Farina wins the inaugural Formula One World Championship in an Alfa Romeo 158.
Juan Manuel Fangio repeated for Alfa Romeo with the 159 in 1951.
1969Ferrari
Fiat Acquisition
Fiat acquired a 50% stake.
1986Alfa Romeo
Fiat acquires Alfa Romeo from the Italian state.
The transaction ended more than five decades of state ownership.
1988Ferrari
Death of Enzo
Founder Enzo Ferrari passed away.
2002Ferrari
Enzo Ferrari launched
Launched the Enzo model.
2015Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo unveils the new Giulia on the company's 105th anniversary.
The rear-wheel-drive sedan led the brand's modern product relaunch.
2015Ferrari
Initial Public Offering
Ferrari completed its IPO on the New York Stock Exchange.
2021Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo becomes a Stellantis brand after the merger of FCA and PSA.
The brand also opens a headquarters at Centro Stile in Turin's Mirafiori complex.
2022Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo launches Tonale, its first electrified model.
Tonale production is based at the Stellantis Pomigliano d'Arco plant.
2023Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo presents a new 33 Stradale limited to 33 sold units.
The coachbuilt model was inspired by the 1967 33 Stradale.
2024Alfa Romeo
The new Milano compact crossover is renamed Junior in April.
Alfa Romeo changed the name after an Italian government official objected to Milano.
2024Alfa Romeo
Santo Ficili is appointed CEO of Alfa Romeo in October.
He succeeded Jean-Philippe Imparato as brand CEO.
2025Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo records more than 73,000 worldwide registrations.
The brand reported 20.1% growth from 2024, with more than 80% of sales in Europe.
2026Ferrari
Luce unveiled
First fully electric Ferrari unveiled at about €550,000.
Acquisitions
Alfa Romeo
No verified acquisitions are listed.
Questions about Alfa Romeo vs Ferrari
Who is the CEO of Alfa Romeo and Ferrari N.V.?
Alfa Romeo is led by Santo Ficili and Ferrari N.V. is led by Benedetto Vigna. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Alfa Romeo founded vs Ferrari N.V.?
Alfa Romeo was founded in 1910 — 37 years before Ferrari N.V., which was founded in 1947. Alfa Romeo's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Ferrari N.V..
Where are Alfa Romeo and Ferrari N.V. headquartered?
Both Alfa Romeo and Ferrari N.V. are headquartered in Italy, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.
Who founded Alfa Romeo and Ferrari N.V.?
Alfa Romeo was founded by Alexandre Darracq, Ugo Stella, Nicola Romeo. Ferrari N.V. was founded by Enzo Ferrari.
Which company has a longer operating history — Alfa Romeo or Ferrari N.V.?
Alfa Romeo has been operating for approximately 116 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Ferrari N.V. has been in operation for around 79 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Alfa Romeo vs Ferrari overview