Is Alfa Romeo Part of Stellantis?

Alfa Romeo: After WWII

Like many other European companies at the time, Alfa Romeo's production of engines and vehicles was sidelined during WWII as violence swept the continent. When it resumed, the company set back to work with innovation in mind.

In the 1950s, Alfa Romeo's high performance coupes and family cars set a new standard for combining style, practicality, and performance. The company became known for the craftsmanship and stylish designs of its vehicles. The Giulietta became one of the most loved vehicles in the company's long history.

By the 1960s, the Spider and other sports coupes were popular models in America that endeared the company to many Americans. They began to shift from the racing market to luxury commercial vehicles to bring two new luxury vehicles to the American market.

So who owned Alfa Romeo during this time? Between 1932 and 1986, an Italian state-holding company owned Alfa, and Alfa Romeo joined the Fiat Chrysler Group. The company then became Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A as a subsidiary of Fiat, also known as FCA or Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. But is that who owns the company today?

So Who is Alfa Romeo Owned By Now?

Since 2007,  Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) owned Alfa Romeo. But in 2021, a new player came onto the board in the form of a new car conglomerate called Stelantis.

Stelantis was formed with a joint venture, a 50-50 merger of two well-known automotive empires: the Italian-American conglomerate Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the French PSA Group, Peugeot S.A, creating the fourth largest automaker today.

This makes Stellantis the current owner of Alfa Romeo. With a massive international portfolio of popular brands, Stellantis promises to retain a significant role in the global automobile market. But the merger leaves some South Carolina drivers wondering what the future holds for Alfa Romeo, their favorite European luxury brand.

What is Stellantis?

Stellantis got its start when Fiat Chrysler Automotive, which owns Alfa Romeo, announced in December 2019 that it was merging with France's Groupe Peugeot S.A. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles had long been seeking a merger partner to bolster its position in the European market. When negotiations ended, Groupe PSA became the lucky suitor. The merger process officially concluded at the beginning of 2021.

The new Stellantis is a conglomeration of 14 other manufacturers, each with its own unique story and identity. This extensive portfolio allows Stellantis to offer vehicles in many different styles and a large range of price points. With some brands sold on both sides of the Atlantic and others only sold in specific countries, Stellantis provides prospective car buyers with a broad spectrum of choices.

And how did the name Stellantis come about? With inspiration from both Latin and astronomy, the name Stellantis indicates the company's dedication to honoring the historical foundations of its many brands while reaching to set a new standard in the automotive market. 

Thus, the legacy of passion and innovation that has served a brand such as Alfa Romeo so admirably throughout its past is alive and well as a central tenet of the Stellantis corporate culture.

How does Stellantis impact Alfa Romeo?

With 14 brands under its name, the Stellantis family is large and diverse. So what does this mean for Alfa Romeo and its devoted fans?

One key reason for the development of Stellantis was the increased efficiency it would bring the automaker. Producing cars at a larger economy of scale allows Stellantis to devote more effort to modern technologies such as electrification. And while efficiency can sometimes lead to a decreased product line, Stellantis has been adamant that this will not be the case.

Defying expectations, Stellantis announced early in its existence that it would allow each of its brands to nourish a unique identity. For Alfa Romeo, this promise means a commitment to the Italian flair and ethos that has made its cars traditionally great, coupled with a devotion to modern, innovative production processes and access to some of the brightest minds in the automotive sector.

Made in Italy: Alfa Romeo Vehicles

Alfa Romeo competes directly with much more expensive European luxury vehicles, backed by attractive styling, powerful engines, and luxurious features.

If you've seen an Alfa Romeo down the streets of Greer, Spartanburg, or Greenville, you already know they're like nothing else on the road. With a race-inspired background and a rich and long history, Alfa Romeo's newest additions are redefining performance and value in their class. 

For those near Greer, SC, Benson Alfa Romeo is here to offer you the opportunity to test drive the finest in Italian luxury. Today, three main Alfa Romeo models are offered.

Alfa Romeo Giulia

The Giulia boasts dynamic driving, attractive design, and ultimate comfort. It is fast, dynamic, precise, and consistent, making it a ride reminiscent of Alfa Romeo's history of racing.

Most models come outfitted with Alfa Romeo's 280 horsepower 2.0 liter turbocharged inline-four, a powerful engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission that comes standard with rear-wheel drive and is available with all-wheel drive. In the Giulia Quadrifoglio, only one configuration is offered: A Ferrari-sourced 505 horsepower 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine.

Various safety features are offered to keep you safe while you're having fun. Standard features include:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane departure warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Parking sensors with cross-traffic monitoring

Other safety features are available, such as the Active Assist Plus package which includes traffic sign recognition and driver alertness monitoring.

Other features offered include:

• Curve-adaptive headlights
• Navigation
• A wireless smartphone charger
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Heated front and rear seats
• Other standard equipment

Alfa Romeo Stelvio

After the introduction of the Giulia, Alfa Romeo wanted to take many of the same elements present in the Giulia and adapt them into an SUV. From there, the Stelvio was born as a Giulia-inspired compact SUV.

Staying true to Alfa Romeo's racing background, the Stelvio demonstrates an incredible driving experience and fantastic handling, even on curvy and winding roads. The Stelvio is sporty and responsive, more than capable of handling everyday driving and more. 

A 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo engine comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission that works together for a zippy acceleration and a powerful punch that allows the Stelvio to power through anything ahead of it.

Alfa Romeo Tonale

First released in 2022, the Alfa Romeo Tonale was crafted as a driver-centric luxury SUV focused on the comfort and convenience of the driver. From heated and ventilated seats to interior customizable LED lights that create a sensual ambiance through the backlit dashboard, the Tonale is an escape for busy drivers.

The Tonale is named after one of Italy's highest mountain passes and aims to emulate the natural curves, lines, bends, and angles of nature's beauty. It features artisanal craftsmanship, aesthetically sculpted and nuanced designs, and racing-inspired driving dynamics.

Tonale will have two different available powertrains: a plug-in electric hybrid and a gasoline turbo engine. The models also include keyless entry and start, as well as a variety of other available luxury features.