Is Alfa Romeo Owned by Ferrari? Unpacking History, Ownership, and Headlines

In the world of Italian automotive icons, few brands evoke as much passion as Alfa Romeo and Ferrari. With their shared heritage of speed, style, and engineering prowess, it's easy to assume a direct corporate link, perhaps even ownership.

 

But is Alfa Romeo truly owned by Ferrari? Spoiler: No. This persistent misconception stems from deep historical roots, but today's reality paints a different picture.

 

As Stellantis grapples with global challenges and Ferrari charts its independent course, we break down the facts, myths, and the latest buzz in the industry.

 

Historical Ties: From Early Days to a Bitter Split:

Alfa Romeo and Ferrari's story is one of collaboration, rivalry, and legacy, far from a simple parent-child relationship.

 

Enzo Ferrari's Alfa Romeo Roots (1920s-1930s): Enzo Ferrari, the legendary founder of Ferrari, began his racing career with Alfa Romeo in 1920 as a test driver.

 

In 1929, he established Scuderia Ferrari as Alfa Romeo's official racing team, tuning and competing their cars to victory in events like the Mille Miglia. This partnership fueled Alfa's golden era of Grand Prix dominance.

 

The 1939 Breakup: Tensions boiled over when Alfa Romeo's management absorbed Scuderia Ferrari into the company in 1937, sidelining Enzo.

 

He left in 1939 under a non-compete clause that barred him from using his name for four years. Post-World War II, Enzo launched his own marque in 1947, but the scars lingered—Alfa even sued Ferrari over design similarities in the 1950s.

 

Post-War Overlaps: Ferrari occasionally sourced parts from Alfa Romeo during lean periods, and both brands fiercely competed on the track. Enzo's son, Piero Ferrari, still holds a stake in the Prancing Horse empire, tying the families symbolically.

 

This intertwined past often fuels confusion, with fans joking that Alfa is the "poor cousin" to Ferrari's glamour.

 

Separate Empires Under Italian Skies:

Fast-forward to 2025: Alfa Romeo and Ferrari operate as distinct entities, with no overlapping ownership.

 

Alfa Romeo's Path to Stellantis: Founded in 1910 as Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili (A.L.F.A.), the brand changed hands multiple times, underwent state control during WWII, and was acquired by Fiat in 1986.

 

Since 2007, it has been under Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), which merged with Stellantis in 2021. Today, Stellantis, a French-Italian-American giant, oversees Alfa alongside Jeep, Peugeot, and more. Production hubs remain in Italy, emphasizing luxury crossovers like the Stelvio.

 

Ferrari's Independence: Enzo Ferrari sold a controlling stake to Fiat in 1969 to secure funding, but retained veto power over racing decisions. Ferrari went public in 2016, spinning off from Fiat Chrysler. 

 

As of 2025, it's Ferrari N.V., listed on the NYSE (ticker: RACE), with Exor N.V. (the Agnelli family holding company) owning about 24%, Piero Ferrari at 10%, and the rest publicly traded. No Stellantis ties remain, allowing Ferrari to focus on hypercars and F1 supremacy.

 

In short: Ferrari owns zero shares of Alfa Romeo, and vice versa. The myth persists due to shared Fiat history, but they're corporate strangers today.

 

Recent News Partnerships and Collaboration:

While ownership diverges, 2025 has seen Alfa Romeo and Ferrari team up in motorsport, amid broader industry shifts.

•  F1 Sponsorship Glow-Up: Alfa Romeo remains a key partner of Scuderia Ferrari, sponsoring the team with branding on cars and apparel. This nod to their shared values, innovation, and Italian flair highlights mutual respect, not merger talks. Alfa's F1 return via Sauber (as Audi preps for 2026) keeps the racing flame alive separately.

 

• Sales Surge for Alfa: First-half 2025 figures show Alfa Romeo up 20% globally year-over-year, driven by the Tonale PHEV and refreshed Giulia. Enthusiasts praise its "Enzo Ferrari kiss" in handling, blending heritage with electrification.

 

• Stellantis Shake-Up Rumors: Tariffs under the Trump administration (25% on imports) have Stellantis eyeing divestitures. Reports suggest spinning off Alfa Romeo and Maserati, possibly to an Asian buyer, to streamline operations. No Ferrari involvement, but it could reshape Alfa's future. A strategic plan calls for closer Alfa-Maserati ties without a full merger.

 

• Model Buzz: Alfa's Tonale facelift hits late 2025 with updated tech and styling, while the Giulia/Stelvio successors (BEV on STLA Large platform) arrive in 2025-2026. Ferrari, meanwhile, teases hybrids for 2025, balancing ICE loyalty with EV mandates.

 

• Social media echoes the history: Fans reminisce about Enzo's Alfa days and speculate on hypothetical mergers, but nothing substantive.

 

Rumors, EVs, and Italian Pride:

Looking ahead, Alfa Romeo eyes a premium pivot under Stellantis, potentially independent if sales soar. Ferrari, valued at over $70 billion, prioritizes exclusivity amid EV transitions 18% of ICE owners plan to buy hybrids in 2025, according to surveys.

 

No acquisition whispers link the two, but their F1 alliance endures. As one analyst quips, "They're like exes at a family reunion, civil, collaborative, but very much apart."

 

For enthusiasts, the real ownership? The roar of their engines and the thrill they deliver. Stay tuned as 2025 unfolds, with more twists in Italy's automotive saga.