Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo, an Italian car manufacturer, has a strong presence in both racing and luxury. It was first formed in 1910 as “Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili” (A.L.F.A.). They quickly made a name in racing, achieving early success in the 1911 Targa Florio. In 1920, the name “Alfa Romeo” was adopted following the acquisition by Nicola Romeo. The company then continued to excel in both racing and consumer cars. The 1930s 8C won numerous races including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Launched in the 1950s, the Giulietta was pivotal in making the brand accessible to a broader market. Resulting from performance and affordability, it was a hit with consumers, offering Italian sports car ownership to a wider audience. The Giulietta series included a coupe (Sprint), sedan (Berlina), and convertible (Spider). Introduced in the 1960s, the Giulia range was lightweight, aerodynamic, and powerful.
In the second half of the 20th century, models like the Spider and the Alfetta were produced. The Spider was first introduced in 1966 and produced for almost three decades. the Spider was an affordable roadster that became a symbol of Italian design. Its appearance in the 1967 film “The Graduate” also contributed to its status and popularity, particularly in the American market. Debuting in the 1970s, the Alfetta was an advanced sports sedan and a coupe, known for its excellent weight distribution. It also served as a base for the successful GTV race cars.
The New Alfa Romeo
The integration of the Alfa Romeo brand into Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) was a result of a series of mergers and acquisitions. Alfa Romeo, originally an independent Italian manufacturer, first became part of the Fiat Group in 1986. This acquisition by Fiat was a strategic move to strengthen their presence in the sports and luxury car segment, and included other Italian marques like Lancia.
Later, in 2014, Fiat completed the acquisition of Chrysler Group LLC, an American manufacturer, resulting in Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (now part of Stellantis). This merger also brought Fiat, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram. This created the world’s seventh-largest automaker at that time. Through FCA, Alfa Romeo gained access to other markets. The new Alfa Romeo now continues to revitalize its lineup with models like the Giulia and Stelvio.
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