Alfa Romeo Malaysia: What you need to know about Alfa Romeo

Alfa History

Alfa Romeo's place in motoring history began in 1906 under the name of Societa Anonima Italian Darracq (SAID) founded by French entrepreneur Alexandre Darracq. The cars produced were unsuited for local conditions, unreliable and underpowered. Within three years, the company was on the brink of bankruptcy and changed its name to Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobile or A.L.F.A.

The first A.L.F.A., Vettura 24HP

After the 1st world war, the future of the company seemed bleak. An industrialist and mining engineer named Nicola Romeo stepped in, bought into A.L.F.A. and took over as managing director. A.L.F.A. was then making tractors, aero-engines, railway equipment and compressors and car-making then was a distant reminder of the pre-war days.

In 1918, there was no demand for Romeo's products as the war had ended. Cars were in short supply and the car market was booming. Romeo turned to car production and managed to produce cars from 1914 parts stored during the outbreak of war. However, new designs and marketing strategies were badly needed. A new name was also needed as A.L.F.A was outdated. Romeo was linked with heavy industrial engineering with no significance to car buyers. Nicola Romeo found the perfect solution by combining the links of the past with the future as part of an engineering group well respected for its high quality and efficiency. Thus, Alfa Romeo of Milan was born.