Alfa Romeo is the company behind Ferrari

Alfa Romeo is an iconic Italian sports and city car company with an intriguing history. It was this enterprise that gave a start to the life of the Ferarri brand and gave it a place in the market, having initially the best prospects. Today, Alfa Romeo is engaged in the production of prestigious sports cars. At the same time, a significant market share was lost. The company is owned by FCA Group.

From hobby for aristocrats to serious production

In 1906, Alfa Romeo was founded in Naples by French engineer Alexandre Darrac with money from Italian industrialists as Società Anonima Italiana. Darracq (SAID). One of the people who influenced the development of the company was Hugo Stella, who in 1909 received the post of chairman of the board. At his insistence, the company was moved to Milan, to the village of Portello, which is now known as Zone 8. During this period, agricultural and industrial production was located in this area, it was here that the first Alfa Romeo Portello Plant was built with a total area of the production complex of 6 .7 thousand square meters.

Already by 1909, the Darracq car models were selling slowly. As a result, Ugo Stella organizes another company called ALFA, which was an abbreviation of "Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili". Initially, cooperation with Darakk was planned, but already in 1920, the 24 HP model was released based on the design of a car by engineer D. Merosi. He was hired in 1909 to somehow improve things, already in 1910 the company was able to assemble and release new models.

A distinctive feature of Merosi's car was a range of high-performance engines called 40/60 HP, with which ALFA decided to take part in motor racing. The Targa Florio race in 1911 featured two 24 HP cars driven by Franchini and Ronzoni. In 1914, a special racing car was made with a DOHC engine, having 4 cylinders, valves per cylinder and dual fuel injection.

During the First World War, ALFA was stopped, in 1915 it became the property of Nicola Romeo, who began to produce military vehicles and military equipment. After the war, the profits made during the war years were invested in the railway works in Saronno, which became part of the ALFA company.

Automobile production was resumed only in 1919, for this they used parts that remained in warehouses and had been lying since 1915, they were enough to assemble hundreds of cars. In 1920, the company changed its name to Alfa Romeo and also resumed racing.

Enzo Ferrari and Vittorio Yano

The next stage in the development of cars was associated with Enzo Ferrari and his racing team, which was later named the Scuderia Ferrari. During this period, Giuseppe Merosi initially remained the chief engineer of the enterprise. A little later, the P2 Grand Prix was created by engineer Vittorio Jano, who was convinced to leave FIAT by Enzo Ferrari. This model was used by ALFA to win the World Grand Prix Championship in 1925.

At the same time, Yano created road-adapted city cars based on 4, 6 and 8-cylinder engines based on the main racing model. The engines were made from light alloy materials, an innovation that set them apart from the competition. In addition, hemispherical heads, center spark plugs, two valves per cylinder and two camshafts were used. All developments of Yano were distinguished by high power and reliability.

Enzo Ferrari during this period not only gains experience as a race car driver and designer, but also as a race manager. After the privatization of the Alfa Romeo racing team, Scuderia Ferrari was founded, independently of ALFA, which included many of the drivers who had previously worked with Ferrari. His place in the parent company was taken by Tazio Nuvolari, with whom ALFA won a large number of races before the outbreak of World War II.

In 1925, the urban road version of the 6C was created on the basis of the P2 racing model. From that moment until the end of participation in sports competitions, the company adapted racing cars for normal road conditions, so the cars were highly appreciated by consumers and acquired a literally iconic image.

ALFA ROMEO under Mussolini

Alfa Romeo's problems began in 1928, Nicola Romeo simply abandoned the company, leaving it in debt. Production was not loaded due to the lack of defense contracts. In 1932, the company was resurrected by the government of Mussolini, during this period, exclusive cars were built, designed by Carrozzeria Touring and Pininfarina. The company has resumed racing.

Alpha factories at this moment begin to produce engines for the Macchi C.202 Folgore and Daimler-Benz 600 fighters. These aircraft were among the best, their modifications were produced after the war.

From 1932 to 1986, Alfa Romeo was owned by the IRI state concern, created under Mussolini, and it retained its functions in peacetime, after World War II. In 1986, Alfa Romeo became part of the FIAT Group, later, as a result of reorganization, it became part of Fiat Group Automobiles SpA, and today FCA Italy. All of these companies are part of the FIAT group, controlled by the Exor investment group.

ALFA ROMEO plants

The first plant in Portello was built in 1908 and remained the leading production until 1960. It produced not only cars, but also parts for machine-building equipment. The Portello area in the vicinity of Milan was chosen for a reason, at that time an automobile cluster was formed here, and Fiat, Citroen, Fraschini, Cesare Sala and others discovered their production. Moreover, it must be said that the activities of all companies were subsequently associated with the Alfa Romeo plant.

The second factory was opened in the 1960s, the construction lasted 3 years, the new production replaced the factory in Portello. This production base is also located near Milan, 7.5 km, in the town of Lombardy. The new plant, in general, is not just an enterprise, but an entire industrial zone of Alfa Romeo, according to media sources, the enterprise is known as the Alfa Romeo Arese Plant.

At the moment, the plant is not only closed, but also abandoned, production is completely transferred to other production bases of Fiat SpA, operation was completed in 2005. The style center (design office) in Arese operated longer, but also moved to Turin in 2009. The latest models that were made in Arese are MiTo and Giulietta.

On the territory of Arese, only the Alfa Romeo Museum remained active. It is located in a historic building, a monument of architecture. The center was closed from 2011 to 2015, now it can be visited daily, from 10 am to 6 pm, except Tuesday. On Thursday the museum is open until 22.00. The ticket price for adults is 12 euros.

Alfa Romeo today

Today the company is engaged in the production of exclusive business class cars, sports coupes and sports cars. FIAT positions Alfa Romeo as an iconic brand, with iconic Italian design and modern technological features. The design of the models has retained a recognizable corporate identity Vitorio de Silva, who developed a number of models before moving to work at VAG. Recall that it was his design that made AUDI the prestigious brand we know it now.

The sports series is currently represented by the 4C sports car. It combines the traditional features of a retro car with a sporty style. The sports car looks very original, and is also well technically equipped. At the same time, Alfa Romeo cannot reach the leadership positions that traditionally belong to the brand. Porsche, Ferrari, bmw, Audi and mercedes benz.

Modern Alfa Romeo cars are designed for a sporty driving style, they support several modes, including fast and aggressive. In these modes, each machine is fully balanced, maneuverable and very comfortable when driving at high speeds. Thanks to the alternative aerodynamics, low body, Alfa Romeo 4C has excellent maneuverability, far superior to other luxury brands.

Alfa Romeo has opportunities to maintain its luxury status as FIAT Group's marketing support for the brand changes.