82-401: The Alfa Romeo G1 (1921–23) was an Italian automobile. It was the first all-new design from Alfa Romeo after the end of the A.L.F.A. brand. The car was designed by A.L.F.A. pioneer Giuseppe Merosi as the factory's new luxury vehicle while he simultaneously revised the prewar 24HP racing car into the 20/30ES model. At this time, he was engaged in a legal dispute with Nicola Romeo regarding
164-482: A Challenger (and SRT version) and Charger (and SRT version) models. In April 2017, Dodge introduced the 2018 Dodge Demon . It had a 6.2L V8 HEMI mated to a 2.7L supercharger, which produced 840 horsepower and 770 lb-ft of torque at the crank—and made the Dodge Demon the world's quickest production vehicle at the time. The Demon's excessive torque caused the front axle to lift off of the ground during launch. It
246-512: A "rotating" basis to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic . In April 2020, the company released several advertisements designed to discourage people from using their products during the pandemic. On 31 October 2019, FCA announced its intent to merge with the French automaker PSA Group . The merger would be on a 50-50 all-stock basis. On 18 December 2019, FCA and PSA announced that they had agreed to
328-569: A bid to acquire the entirety of Alfa Romeo and offer job guarantees to Italian workers, an offer that Ford was unwilling to match. It also did not hurt any of the parties involved that an acquisition by Fiat would keep Alfa Romeo in Italian hands. In 1986, the deal was concluded with Alfa Romeo merged with traditional rival Lancia into Fiat's Alfa Lancia Industriale S.p.A. Already in 1981, Alfa Romeo's then-President Ettore Massacesi had stated that Alfa would never use Fiat engines—the engines being, to
410-594: A company called Fabral ( Fábrica Brasileira de Automóveis Alfa , "the Brazilian Alfa automobile factory") to build the Alfa Romeo 2000 there. After having received government approval, Matarazzo pulled out under pressure from Brazil's President Juscelino Kubitschek with the state-owned FNM company instead commenced building the car as the "FNM 2000" there in 1960. During the 1960s, Alfa Romeo concentrated on motorsports using production-based cars, including
492-546: A large extent, Alfa Romeo's identity—but would be happy to cooperate fully with everything else. Models produced from the 1990 onwards combined Alfa's traditional virtues of avant-garde styling and sporting panache with the economic benefits of product rationalisation, and include a "GTA" version of the 147 hatchback, the Giugiaro -designed Brera , and a high-performance exotic called the 8C Competizione (named after one of Alfa's most successful prewar sports and racing cars,
574-479: A plastic radiator header tank. It had also the lowest drag coefficient (Cd) in its class The same trend continued with the Alfetta 2000 and GTV, which had quirks such as 50:50 weight distribution , standard fit alloy wheels and transaxle . Newer innovations include complete CAD design process used in designing the Alfa Romeo 164 and an automated/paddle-shift transmission called Selespeed used in
656-401: A pre-war voiturette, and Giuseppe Farina won the first Formula One World Championship in 1950 in the 158. Juan Manuel Fangio secured Alfa's second consecutive championship in 1951. In 1952, Alfa Romeo experimented with its first front-wheel-drive compact car, "Project 13–61". It had the same transverse-mounted, forward-motor layout as the modern front-wheel-drive automobile. Alfa Romeo made
738-564: A second attempt in the late 1950s based on Project 13–61. It was to be called Tipo 103 and resembled the smaller version of its popular Alfa Romeo Giulia. However, due to the financial difficulties in post-war Italy, the Tipo 103 never saw production. Had Alfa Romeo produced it, it would have preceded the Mini as the first "modern" front-wheel-drive compact car. In the mid-1950s, Alfa Romeo entered into an agreement with Brazil 's Matarazzo Group to create
820-776: A separate investment of Exor, siding with FCA and CNH , after FCA listed 10% of the company on the NYSE in October 2015 and distributed its remaining 80% stake in Ferrari to FCA shareholders. Ferrari now trades on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "RACE". FCA also operated in print media and advertising through its Italiana Editrice subsidiary (publisher of the Italian La Stampa and Il Secolo XIX newspapers) and interest in RCS Media Group . In March 2017, FCA
902-472: A sporty image to the marque. Enzo Ferrari founded the Scuderia Ferrari racing team in 1929 as an Alfa Romeo racing team, before forming his namesake luxury sports car maker in 1939. Ferrari has had the most wins of any marque in the world. The company's name is a combination of the original name, "A.L.F.A." ("Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili" - “Anonymous Lombardy Automobile Factory”), and
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#1732773328029984-443: A standard chassis and whether the resulting vehicles would be palatable to the public. Alfa 1900 Sprint were the basis of the B.A.T. 5, 7 and 9. The later B.A.T. 11 was based on the 8C Competizione. The Tipo 33 racing car, with its high-revving 2000 cc V8 engine became the basis for a number of different concept cars during the 1960s and 1970s, two of which ultimately resulted in production vehicles. Most made their appearances at
1066-488: A total of 150,722 vehicles at the company's three factories. On January 16, 2021, the operations of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Groupe PSA were merged to form Stellantis and the company was renamed Stellantis Italy. In spite of falling sales, Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato announced in 2021 that a new model would be launched every year between 2022 and 2026, starting with the much-delayed Tonale , with full electrification of new models from 2027. Alfa Romeo
1148-524: A total of about 112,000 units, which was significantly lower than Fiat CEO Marchionne's global sales target of 300,000. The company set about to achieve a sales target of 170,000 units in 2011, including 100,000 Giulietta and 60,000 MiTo models, but it actually sold 130,000 units that year. Its medium-term target was 500,000 units by 2014 including 85,000 from the North American market. In 2017 Alfa Romeo increased production by 62 percent, building
1230-654: Is also the oldest surviving Alfa Romeo-branded car. Alfa Romeo Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. ( Italian: [ˈalfa roˈmɛːo] ) is an Italian luxury carmaker known for its sports-oriented vehicles, strong auto racing heritage, and iconic design. Headquartered in Turin, Italy , it is a subsidiary of Stellantis Europe and one of 14 brands of multinational automotive company Stellantis . Founded on 24 June 1910 in Milan , Italy as A.L.F.A. —an acronym for Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili —the company
1312-564: Is estimated to create nearly 6,500 jobs. Plans include $ 1.6 billion to build a Jeep factory in Detroit. In May 2019, Fiat Chrysler proposed merging its business with Renault but it was later withdrawn. In March 2020, the Detroit United Auto Workers union announced that after discussion with the leaders of General Motors , Ford , and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the carmakers would partially shut down factories on
1394-696: The 156 ; the 156 was also the world's first passenger car to use Common rail diesel engine. The Multiair -an electro-hydraulic variable valve actuation technology used in MiTo was introduced in 2009. In 2016, the Alfa Romeo Giulia came with electrical brakes. Many famous automotive design houses in Italy have accepted commissions to produce concepts and production vehicle shapes for Alfa Romeo. These include: Construction techniques used by Alfa Romeo has been imitated by other carmakers, and in this way,
1476-561: The 40–60 HP . A.L.F.A. ventured into motor racing , with drivers Franchini and Ronzoni competing in the 1911 Targa Florio with two 24-hp models. In 1914, an advanced Grand Prix car was designed and built, the GP1914 , with a four-cylinder engine, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, and twin ignition. However, the onset of the First World War halted automobile production at A.L.F.A. for three years. In August 1915,
1558-702: The 4C and 4C Spider in North America. In 2015, the company announced the Giulia and in 2016 it added an SUV, Stelvio . It dropped the 4C from the lineup in 2019. FCA announced a mid-cycle refresh for both the Giulia and Stelvio for production year 2021. In 2014, Chrysler released a refreshed 300/300C . In 2016, the brand launched the Pacifica as the successor to the Town & Country . The first announcement
1640-789: The 8C of the 1930s). In 2005, Maserati was bought back from Ferrari and was now under Fiat's full control. The Fiat Group then created a sports and luxury division from Maserati and Alfa Romeo. There is a planned strategic relationship between these two; engines, platforms and possibly dealers are shared. In the beginning of 2007, Fiat Auto S.p.A. was reorganized and four new automobile companies were created; Fiat Automobiles S.p.A., Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A., Lancia Automobiles S.p.A. and Fiat Light Commercial Vehicles S.p.A. These companies were fully owned by Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A. (from 2007 FCA Italy S.p.A.). On 24 June 2010, Alfa Romeo celebrated 100 years from its foundation. Alfa Romeo has been suffering from falling sales. In 2010, it sold
1722-494: The Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 with "Ala spessa" body in 1940 Mille Miglia . The engine had six electrically operated injectors, fed by a semi-high pressure circulating fuel pump system. 1969 models for the North American market had SPICA (Società Pompe Iniezione Cassani & Affini, a subsidiary of Alfa Romeo) mechanical fuel injection . According to Alfa Romeo, the engine's power output and performance were unchanged from
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#17327733280291804-686: The Alfa Romeo overhead Twin Cam four-cylinder engine, initially displacing 1300 cc. This engine would eventually be enlarged to 2000 cc and would remain in production until 1995. When I see an Alfa Romeo go by, I tip my hat. Once motorsports resumed after the Second World War, Alfa Romeo proved to be the car to beat in Grand Prix events. The introduction of the new formula ( Formula One ) for single seat racing cars provided an ideal setting for Alfa Romeo's Tipo 158 Alfetta , adapted from
1886-731: The Dodge Neon ). Lancia is a historic brand of Italian luxury and performance cars. With the discontinuation of the Lancia-badged Chrysler 300 and Voyager in the European market in 2015, the Ypsilon is the only model currently in production and is marketed solely in Italy. In 2014, the Maserati GranTurismo and GranCabrio were believed to be the end of the nameplate. In 2016, the company launched
1968-564: The Fiat Ducato and Doblò respectively. In 2017, the division launched a new Ram 1500 and a refreshed commercial light-duty truck. It followed in 2018 with a new Ram HD, commercial heavy-duty truck, and Ram chassis cab. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV chief executive Sergio Marchionne and Dennis Williams, President of the United Auto Workers (UAW), entered into contract negotiations on 14 July 2015. As negotiations between
2050-610: The GTA (standing for Gran Turismo Allegerita), an aluminium-bodied version of the Bertone -designed coupe with a powerful twin-plug engine. Among other victories, the GTA won the inaugural Sports Car Club of America 's Trans-Am championship in 1966. In the 1970s, Alfa Romeo concentrated on prototype sports car racing with the Tipo 33 , with early victories in 1971. Eventually the Tipo 33TT12 gained
2132-580: The Giulietta series of family cars and developed the Alfa Romeo Twin Cam engine , which would remain in production until 1994. Alfa Romeo became known for producing mass-market vehicles that nonetheless blended the aesthetics and performance of sport and luxury marques. Despite its strong brand image and relatively sizeable share of the high-performance auto market in Europe, by the 1970s,
2214-523: The King of Italy , the two words were separated by two figure-eight knots —named Savoy knots in Italian, and symbols of the then-reigning House of Savoy . Originally solid brass, the lettering was changed to white enamel in 1913. In 1918, after the company had been bought by Nicola Romeo , the wording "ALFA" was replaced with "ALFA-ROMEO". In 1925, to commemorate the victory of the Alfa Romeo P2 in
2296-515: The Second World War . In 1928, Nicola Romeo left, and in 1933 Alfa Romeo was rescued by the government, which then had effective control. Alfa Romeo became an instrument of Mussolini's Italy, a national emblem. During this period, it built bespoke vehicles for the wealthy, with bodies normally by Carrozzeria Touring or Pininfarina . This era peaked with the Alfa Romeo 2900B Type 35 racers. The Alfa factory (converted during wartime to
2378-663: The US Justice Department due to allegedly failing to disclose software that violated emissions standards and allowed vehicles to exceed pollution limits. On 23 May 2017, the Justice Department filed a civil lawsuit alleging that FCA "used a 'defeat device' to circumvent emission controls" in more than 100,000 vehicles between 2014 and 2016. On 29 October 2014, the group announced the intention to separate Ferrari S.p.A. from FCA. The transaction completed on 3 January 2016. In January 2016, Ferrari became
2460-570: The World Championship for Makes for Alfa Romeo in 1975 and the Tipo 33SC12 won the World Championship for Sports Cars in 1977. As Alfa Romeo was a state-controlled company, they were often subject to political pressure. To help industrialize Italy's underdeveloped south , Alfa Romeo's new compact car was to be built at a new factory at Pomigliano d'Arco in Campania . Even the car's name, Alfa Sud (Alfa South), reflected where it
2542-608: The 40–60 HP and the RL Targa Florio ). In 1923, Vittorio Jano was lured from Fiat , partly due to the persuasion of a young Alfa racing driver named Enzo Ferrari, to replace Merosi as chief designer at Alfa Romeo. The first Alfa Romeo under Jano was the P2 Grand Prix car , which won Alfa Romeo the inaugural world championship for Grand Prix cars in 1925. For road cars, Jano developed a series of small-to-medium-displacement 4-, 6-, and 8-cylinder inline engines based on
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2624-452: The 4C, Giulia and Stelvio. Alfa Romeo has introduced many technological innovations over the years, and the company has often been among the first users of new technologies. Its trademark double overhead cam engine was used for the first time in the 1914 Grand Prix car, the first road car with such an engine, the 6C 1500 Sport , appeared in 1928. Alfa Romeo tested one of the first electronic fuel injection systems ( Caproni -Fuscaldo) in
2706-483: The Alfa Romeo body designs have often been very influential. The following is a list of innovations, and where appropriate, examples of imitation by other car manufacturers: Several concept cars have been made by Alfa Romeo: The Berlina Aerodinamica Tecnica prototype cars were designed by Bertone as an exercise in determining whether streamlining and wind-tunnel driven designs would result in high performance on
2788-531: The Auto Salon Genève. Here is a brief list: In general, concept cars for Alfa Romeo have generally become production vehicles, after some modification to make them suitable for manufacture, and to provide driver and passenger safety. The Zagato SZ, GTV, and Spider, Brera, and 159 are all good examples of Alfa Romeo's stylistic commitment in this direction. Alfa Romeo's logo incorporates two heraldic devices traditionally associated with its birthplace,
2870-460: The Coppa del Garda race. Total production was 52 cars. It found no customers in Italy, and all 50 production model (excepting two prototypes) found their way to Australia. Chassis numbers 6001 and 6002 were built in 1920 as prototypes, whereas 6003 to 6052 were built mostly in 1921. Only one known survivor exists as of 2019, chassis number 6018. It was in 2007 owned by New Zealand 's Alfa importer and
2952-468: The FCA Italy and FCA US companies. In early 2019, FCA sold auto-parts maker Magneti Marelli for €6.2 billion to Calsonic Kansei , a Japan-based company owned by American buyout firm KKR . The integration between Fiat and Chrysler dates back to 2009, after Chrysler filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization on 30 April 2009. On 10 June 2009, Chrysler emerged from the bankruptcy proceedings with
3034-613: The Italy-based brands Abarth , Alfa Romeo , Fiat , Fiat Professional , Lancia , and the engine manufacturing subsidiary VM Motori . FCA US included the US-based brands Chrysler , Dodge , Jeep , and Ram , plus the Mopar service and parts organization. Other companies included firms working on production automation ( Comau ) and a metal foundry ( Teksid , 84.8% share). Other joint ventures and subsidiaries are undertaken via
3116-592: The P2 unit that established the architecture of the company's engines, with light alloy construction, hemispherical combustion chambers, centrally located plugs, two rows of overhead valves per cylinder bank and dual overhead cams. Jano's designs proved both reliable and powerful. Enzo Ferrari proved a better team manager than a driver, and when the factory team was privatised, it became Scuderia Ferrari . When Ferrari left Alfa Romeo, he went on to build his own cars. Tazio Nuvolari often drove for Alfa, winning many races before
3198-720: The Pomigliano factory ran at 16.5 percent through the 1970s, reaching as high as 28 percent. By the 1970s, Alfa Romeo was again in financial trouble, with the company running at about sixty percent of capacity in 1980. Since Alfa Romeo was controlled by the Italian government owned Istituto per la Ricostruzione Industriale (IRI), a deal was made where about a quarter of worker's salaries were paid through state unemployment agencies to allow Alfa's plants to idle for two weeks every two months. An aging product lineup and very low productivity combined with near-permanent industrial unrest and Italy's high inflation rates kept Alfa Romeo firmly in
3280-460: The UAW and US automakers began, Marchionne leaned in to embrace Williams in a hug seen "round the world," shocking some union members. When Marchionne made the announcement on 8 January 2017 of plans to add 2,000 jobs and invest $ 1 billion in plants by 2020, Marchionne credited the decision to the negotiations with Williams that began in 2015. On 13 January 2017, the company came under investigation by
3362-512: The US Market as announced by Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne after a series of rumours. North American sales resumed in October 2008, with the launch of the limited production 8C Competizione coupe with Alfa Romeo models being imported by Fiat's US subsidiary Chrysler. Also in 2008, Alfa Romeo and Chrysler were reported to be in discussions over the possibility of producing Alfa Romeo cars in some Chrysler manufacturing plants that had shut down due to
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3444-653: The United Auto Workers pension fund, Fiat, and the US and Canadian governments as principal owners. Fiat's initial purchase was a 20% stake; by January 2012, it grew to 58.5%. On 21 January 2014, Fiat completed the acquisition of the remaining 41.5% from the United Auto Workers, making Chrysler Group a wholly owned subsidiary. The total cost of acquisition was US$ 4.9 billion with an additional US$ 5.5 billion in pension liability. Fiat S.p.A. and Chrysler Group LLC merged into FCA on 12 October 2014 following approvals of
3526-538: The automobile business. Exor sold its shares in GEDI immediately after receiving them. On 21 July 2018, FCA suddenly replaced chief executive Marchionne in all of his positions at FCA, Ferrari, SGS, and CNH following emergency meetings of each respective company's board of directors . Marchionne last appeared in public on 26 June where he appeared quite lethargic and fatigued. FCA stated on 5 July that he had taken medical leave to undergo surgery to his right shoulder and on
3608-490: The binding terms for the $ 50 billion merger. On 15 July 2020, both companies announced that the corporate name of the new group would be Stellantis . The new group will be incorporated in the Netherlands with Carlos Tavares as CEO . On 4 January 2021, both shareholders of FCA and PSA approved the merger and it ceased operation on 16 January 2021. The FCA logo, which comprises stylised blue letters resembling FCA,
3690-576: The board on 15 June 2014 and shareholders on 1 August 2014. On 13 October 2014, Fiat Chrysler began trading on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "FCAU". On 6 May 2014, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles announced its 5-year business plan. The company expected that sales would increase to 7 million units, revenues to €132 billion, net income to €5 billion, and industrial debt would peak at €11 billion in 2015, and then reduce to €0.5-1 billion by end of 2018. The Group updated its business plan targets in January 2016 at
3772-429: The brand takeover conditions. The chassis was lengthened and stiffened from the 1914 A.L.F.A. 40-60 HP model, entering into market territory competition with Rolls-Royce. A new 6.3 L (384 cu in) straight-6 engine was introduced, producing 70 PS (51 kW) and 216 lb⋅ft (293 N⋅m) of torque. The G1 achieved a maximum speed of 86 miles per hour (138 km/h), winning its production class at
3854-553: The brand's vehicles. In 2015, FCA refreshed the Jeep Grand Cherokee with celebrities Fan Bingbing , Tina Fey , Sandra Bullock , Julia Roberts , and Cate Blanchett promoted as brand ambassadors. Jeep marked its 75th anniversary in 2016. The Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot appeared in their last model year while a refreshed Jeep Cherokee was released. In 2017, FCA refreshed the Jeep Renegade followed by
3936-501: The carburetted version. The SPICA system continued until the 1982 model year with the introduction of 2.0 liter Bosch electronic fuel injection . Mechanical variable valve timing was introduced in the Alfa Romeo Spider , sold in the U.S. in 1980. All Alfa Romeo Spider models from 1983 onward used electronic VVT. The 105 series Giulia was quite an advanced car, using technologies such as all-wheel disc brakes , and
4018-567: The city of Milan : A red cross, from the emblem of Milan , and the biscione , a big grass snake and a child emerging from its mouth—emblem of the House of Visconti , rulers of the city in the 14th century. The logo was originally designed in 1910 by a young Italian draughtsman from the A.L.F.A. technical office, Romano Cattaneo. In June 1910, the Società Anonima Darracq became Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili, and
4100-637: The company added the Maserati Alfieri . The car was scheduled for release in 2016 but was postponed to allow the Levante in 2016. In 2021, a convertible variant of the Alfieri is expected. The top-of-the-line Alfieri will receive a 520-horsepower V6 with all-wheel drive. In 2014, FCA launched the Jeep Renegade . After a long absence Jeep returned to Malaysia, where DRB-Hicom distributes
4182-772: The company came under the direction of Neapolitan entrepreneur Nicola Romeo , who converted the factory to produce military hardware for the Italian and Allied war efforts. Munitions, aircraft engines and other components, compressors, and generators based on the company's existing car engines were produced in a vastly enlarged factory during the war. After the war, Romeo invested his war profits in acquiring locomotive and railway carriage plants in Saronno ( Costruzioni Meccaniche di Saronno ), Rome (Officine Meccaniche di Roma), and Naples (Officine Ferroviarie Meridionali), which were added to his A.L.F.A. ownership. Car production had not been considered at first, but resumed in 1919 since parts for
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#17327733280294264-546: The company group's restructure and cost cutting. Instead, as reported by The Wall Street Journal in November 2009, Chrysler discontinued several Dodge and Jeep models while phasing in Alfa Romeo ones and the new Fiat 500. The next significant milestones in Alfa Romeo's North American return occurred in 2014, with the launch of the more affordable two-seater 4C coupe . That year, Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A. confirmed that its original agreement with Mazda Motor Corporation, for
4346-429: The company soon faced financial troubles, leading to Romeo's contentious departure in 1928 and Italian government ownership in 1933. Under the control of the industrial organization Institute per la Ricostruzione Industriale (IRI), Alfa Romeo initially continued making its signature custom luxury vehicles, but following the financial hardship of World War II, shifted to mass-producing small vehicles. In 1954, it launched
4428-743: The company was found to have installed software to produce false results on diesel emissions tests. In July 2020, authorities from Germany, Italy and Switzerland raided the offices of Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles as part of the investigation over the use of defeat devices in emissions testing. Additionally Fiat-Chrysler is facing a £5 billion class-action lawsuit in the United Kingdom in relation to allegations of diesel emissions manipulation in select Alfa Romeo , Fiat , Iveco , and Jeep models. In February 2019, Fiat Chrysler announced plans to invest $ 4.5 billion in manufacturing in Michigan. The plant
4510-715: The company was operating at a loss, prompting IRI to sell it to Fiat Group in 1986. Alfa Romeo has since maintained its distinct identity and brand through several ownership changes, including Fiat's merger with the American Chrysler Group in 2014, forming Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), and FCA's subsequent merger in 2021 with the French PSA Group to form Stellantis. Alfa Romeo is heavily involved in various motorsports —including Grand Prix motor racing , Formula One , sportscar racing , touring car racing , and rallies —with achievements giving
4592-1057: The company was split between Michigan and Italy. The other operating activities of the new group remained unchanged, with manufacturing, design, and engineering facilities remaining in Turin, Michigan, and other locations worldwide. Executive members of the FCA Board of Directors as of March 2019 were John Elkann (chairman) and Mike Manley (Chief Executive Officer), with non-executive directors Ronald L. Thompson, John Abbott, Andrea Agnelli , Tiberto Brandolini d'Adda, Glenn Earle, Valerie A. Mars, Ruth J. Simmons , Michelangelo A. Volpi , Patience Wheatcroft , and Ermenegildo Zegna, CEO of Ermenegildo Zegna . FCA carried out its mass-market automotive operations through two main subsidiaries: FCA Italy (previously Fiat Group Automobiles ) and FCA US (previously Chrysler Group ). The company announced both name changes in December 2014. FCA Italy included
4674-471: The company's portfolio to include heavy machinery and aircraft engines. In 1920, the company's name was changed to Alfa Romeo , with the Torpedo 20–30 HP being the first vehicle to bear the new brand. Through the 1920s, Alfa Romeo produced several successful road and race cars, and was well represented in prominent European motorsport events, notably winning the inaugural Grand Prix in 1925. Nevertheless,
4756-449: The company's ultra-luxury brand to compete with Mercedes-Benz, Bentley, Jaguar, Aston Martin, and Rolls-Royce. Fiat (which would remain the company's mainstream brand outside of North America) and Ram Trucks would remain largely unchanged while SRT was merged back into Dodge. Conspicuously absent in the announcement was Lancia , which was later confirmed to be withdrawing from all markets outside Italy. In 2014, Alfa Romeo launched
4838-549: The completion of 105 cars had remained at the A.L.F.A. factory since 1915. In 1920, the name of the company was changed to Alfa Romeo with the Torpedo 20–30 HP the first car to be so badged. Their first success came in 1920 when Giuseppe Campari won at Mugello and continued with second place in the Targa Florio driven by Enzo Ferrari . Giuseppe Merosi continued as head designer, and the company continued to produce solid road cars as well as successful race cars (including
4920-547: The day of his replacement stated that he would not be able to return to work due to post-surgical complications. It was later reported that his health had deteriorated "suddenly and sharply" and that Marchionne had lapsed into a coma . Sergio Marchionne died on 25 July 2018, aged 66. In July 2018, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV's European chief Alfredo Altavilla resigned after being passed over to replace Marchionne. In January 2019, Fiat Chrysler agreed to pay $ 800 million to settle lawsuits related to diesel emissions after
5002-407: The inaugural World Manufacturers' Championship of 1925 , a silver metal laurel wreath was added around the badge, used (in varying form) until 1982. The addition of the wreath had enlarged the badge to 75 mm (3.0 in) diameter; in 1930 it was reduced back to 60 mm (2.4 in). Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. ( FCA ), now part of Stellantis ,
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#17327733280295084-482: The last name of entrepreneur Nicola Romeo, who took control of the company in 1915. The first factory building of A.L.F.A. was in the first-place property of Società Anonima Italiana Darracq (SAID), founded in 1906 by the French automobile firm of Alexandre Darracq , with some Italian investors. One of them, Cavaliere Ugo Stella, an aristocrat from Milan , became chairman of the SAID in 1909. The firm's initial location
5166-407: The mechanical holdings arm of IRI and its predecessors owned Alfa Romeo since 1932. Prodi first approached fellow Italian manufacturer Fiat, which offered to start a joint venture with Alfa. Fiat withdrew its plan for a joint venture with Alfa Romeo when Ford put in an offer to acquire part of Alfa Romeo and restructure the company, while increasing its stake over time. However, Fiat chose to put in
5248-516: The new Maserati Levante SUV. In 2018, it added a new GranTurismo with a 560-horsepower V8 and rear-wheel drive. Between 2014 and 2018, the top-of-the-line Maserati Quattroporte GTS received a 560-horsepower V8 with an all-wheel drive to replace the 523-horsepower V8 with rear-wheel drive in the GTS model. The top-of-the-line Ghiblis and Levantes received the same setup as the Quattroporte. In 2020,
5330-434: The other Italian co-investors, founded a new company named A.L.F.A. (Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili), buying the assets of Italian Darracq that was up to dissolution. The first car produced by the company was the 1910 24 HP , designed by Giuseppe Merosi , hired in 1909 for designing new cars more suited to the Italian market. Merosi would go on to design a series of new A.L.F.A. cars, with more powerful engines such as
5412-526: The production of Macchi C.202 Folgore engines: the Daimler-Benz 600 series built under license) was bombed during the Second World War and struggled to return to profitability after the war. The luxury vehicles were out. Smaller, mass-produced vehicles began to be produced beginning with the 1954 model year, with the introduction of the Giulietta series of berline (saloons/sedans), coupes and open two-seaters. All three varieties shared what would become
5494-407: The red. Other creative measures were attempted to shore up Alfa, including an ultimately unsuccessful joint venture with Nissan endorsed by Alfa's then-president, Ettore Massacesi, and Prime Minister Francesco Cossiga . By 1986, IRI was suffering heavy losses—with Alfa Romeo having not been profitable for the last 13 years —and IRI president Romano Prodi put Alfa Romeo up for sale. Finmeccanica,
5576-710: The speculated manufacturing of a new Alfa Romeo Spider based on the Mazda MX-5 had been terminated mutually in December 2014. The proposed model for this joint venture became the Fiat 124 Spider convertible launched in 2015. In 2015, Alfa Romeo's return to this market was further bolstered by the automaker's display of the new Giulia at the Los Angeles Auto Show. In February 2017, Chrysler featured its Alfa Romeo brand exclusively in three ads during Super Bowl LI . Alfa Romeo's US importer, FCA US LLC , imports
5658-483: The time it announced FY 2015. Much of the global growth was focused around Jeep due to its high visibility globally as well as the growing worldwide SUV market. Chrysler would be re-positioned as the company's mainstream North American brand to compete with Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, and Volkswagen, while Dodge would focus on performance-based vehicles. Alfa Romeo would become the company's premium marque to compete with BMW, Lexus, and Audi, while Maserati would be
5740-436: The updated Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee in 2018. In 2021, FCA launched a luxury Grand Wagoneer to compete with the likes of Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Range Rover , Cadillac Escalade , and Lincoln Navigator . Jeep also launched the Wagoneer to compete with the likes of the Ford Expedition , Chevrolet Suburban , and GMC Yukon . In 2014, Ram launched the ProMaster van and the smaller ProMaster City , derived from
5822-471: Was a stakeholder in the creation of Italy's largest media group GEDI Gruppo Editoriale , created by the merger of Gruppo Editoriale L'Espresso publishing L'espresso and La Repubblica with Italiana Editrice (ITEDI), of which FCA held 77% of the shares and which publishes the Torino daily La Stampa and Il Secolo XIX . Subsequently, FCA divested from publishing by distributing its shares to its own shareholders, again mainly Exor, so to concentrate on
5904-648: Was also equipped with many other industry-first features including a Transbrake , launch control systems, 5-point harness occupant restraints, and an HVAC system that produces additional horsepower by further cooling intake air. In 2015, Fiat launched the new Fiat 500X (produced in Melfi, Italy) and the Fiat Egea (produced in Turkey by JV partner Tofas and sold in Europe under the Fiat Tipo nameplate and Mexico as
5986-761: Was an Italian-American multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles , commercial vehicles , auto parts and production systems. The corporation was established by January 2012, when Fiat acquired a 58.5% stake of the Chrysler Group (which in 1998 to 2007 was part of DaimlerChrysler ) and thus became the at the time 7th largest automaker (behind Toyota , General Motors , Volkswagen , Hyundai , Ford and Nissan ). Its corporate headquarters were domiciled in Amsterdam and its financial headquarters were in London . The holding company
6068-527: Was built. 18 January 1968, saw a new company named "Industria Napoletana Costruzioni Autoveicoli Alfa Romeo-Alfasud S.p.A." being formed, 90% of which belonged to Alfa Romeo and 10% to Government controlled holding company Finmeccanica . This plant was built in the wake of France's 1968 protests and Italy's Hot Autumn and was never "properly started." The employees had mainly construction backgrounds and were not trained for factory work, while industrial relations were troublesome throughout. Absenteeism rates in
6150-423: Was entrusted with doing the final design. The original badge was round, of enamelled brass , measuring 65 mm (2.6 in) in diameter, and carried already all the present day accoutrements: the red cross on a white field of Milan on the left, a green biscione on a light blue field on the right, all surrounded by a blue ring inscribed with the words "ALFA" at the top and "MILANO" at the bottom. In honour of
6232-442: Was established by Cavaliere Ugo Stella to acquire the assets of the ailing Italian subsidiary of French carmaker Darracq , of which he had been an investor and manager. Its first car was the 24 HP , designed by Giuseppe Merosi , which became commercially successful and participated in the 1911 Targa Florio endurance race. In August 1915, ALFA was acquired by Neapolitan entrepreneur and engineer Nicola Romeo , who vastly expanded
6314-575: Was imported to the United States by Max Hoffman from the mid-1950s. The Giulietta Spider was developed on the request of Max Hoffman, who proposed an open top version of the Giulietta. In 1961 Alfa Romeo started exporting cars to the United States through its own dealer network. In 1995, Alfa Romeo ceased exporting cars to the United States, the last model sold in that market being the 164 sedan. On 5 May 2006, Alfa Romeo made its return to
6396-588: Was in Naples , but even before the construction of the planned factory had started, Darracq decided late in 1906 that Milan would be more suitable and accordingly a tract of land was acquired in the Milan suburb of Portello , where a new factory of 6,700 square metres (8,000 sq yd) was constructed. In late 1909, the Italian Darracq cars were selling slowly and the company was wound up. Ugo Stella, with
6478-799: Was listed on the New York Stock Exchange and Milan's Borsa Italiana . Exor , an Italian investment group controlled by the Agnelli family , owned 29% of FCA and controlled 44% through a loyalty voting mechanism, the largest block of shares. FCA's mass-market brands operated through two main subsidiaries: FCA Italy (previously Fiat) with headquarters in Turin , and FCA US (previously Chrysler) in Auburn Hills, Michigan . The company's portfolio included brands Abarth , Alfa Romeo , Chrysler , Dodge , Fiat , Fiat Professional , Jeep , Lancia , Maserati , and Ram Trucks . Ferrari
6560-461: Was readying its first model, the 24 HP . The board asked chief engineer Giuseppe Merosi to devise a badge for the radiator shell of the new car; Merosi turned to his collaborators. One of them, Cattaneo, was inspired by the coat of arms he had seen on the gates of Castello Sforzesco to include the biscione in the logo. Merosi liked the idea, and together with Cattaneo came up with a sketch, then approved by managing director Ugo Stella; Cattaneo
6642-672: Was spun off in 2016. FCA operated in four global markets ( NAFTA , LATAM , APAC , EMEA ). Starting in late 2019, FCA merged with the PSA Group (owner of the Peugeot and Citroën brands among others) on a 50-50 all-stock basis in a $ 50 billion merger. In 2020, the company announced its new name, Stellantis . In January 2021, the merger was complete with FCA resulting as the surviving entity and changed its name to Stellantis. FCA also owned industrial subsidiaries Comau , Mopar , Teksid and VM Motori . The executive management of
6724-617: Was that the SRT brand was to rejoin Dodge . In 2015, a refreshed Charger and Challenger (with equivalent SRT versions) launched. The company also introduced SRT Hellcat versions of the Charger and Challenger. FCA also announced that 2014 would be the last model year for the Dodge Avenger . In 2018 with a refreshed Dodge Durango launched along with (an SRT version). In 2018, it launched
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