Lancia

Year of foundation 1906

Lancia: A History of Innovation, Passion, and Rebirth

The Early Years (1906-1920)
Vincenzo Lancia, a racing driver and self-taught engineer, founded Lancia & C. Fabbrica Automobili in Turin in 1906. The first model, the "12 HP" (Alfa), presented in 1908, already displayed advanced technical features. Lancia immediately stood out for its attention to detail and innovation, as demonstrated by the Theta (1913), the first European car with a complete electrical system. During the First World War, the company adapted to the production of military vehicles, confirming its engineering prowess.

The Golden Age of Innovation (1920-1955)
Between the two world wars, Lancia revolutionized the automotive industry. Its iconic model was the Lambda (1922), the first car with a monocoque body, independent front suspension, and all-wheel brakes. In the 1930s, iconic models such as the Dilambda, Artena, and Astura followed. The Aprilia (1937) was another technical masterpiece with a monocoque body and a V4 engine. After Vincenzo Lancia's death in 1937, his son Gianni inherited his legacy. Despite the damage of World War II, the company quickly recovered. After the war, the Aurelia (1950) was born, the first car with a production V6 engine, followed by the luxurious Flaminia (1957).

The era of challenges and the rally boom (1955-1980)
In 1955, due to financial difficulties, Lancia was sold to the Pesenti family. The 1960s saw the launch of innovative models such as the Flavia (1961) and the Fulvia (1963), the latter a rally champion: with the Fulvia Coupé HF, Lancia won the International Manufacturers' Championship in 1972.
In 1969, Lancia was acquired by the Fiat Group, which allowed the Turin-based manufacturer to modernize without losing its identity. In 1973, the legendary Stratos was born, designed exclusively for rallying. Powered by the Ferrari Dino engine, it won three consecutive world championships (1974-76). The 1980s were the golden age of rallying: the Rally 037 (1982) was the last rear-wheel drive car to win a world championship (1983). Then came the legend: the Delta HF Integrale, which dominated the World Rally Championship from 1987 to 1992, winning six consecutive manufacturers' titles, a record that still stands today.

Decline and Rebirth (1990–Present)
Despite its sporting triumphs, Lancia entered a crisis in the 1990s. Models such as the Dedra, Ypsilon, and Lybra failed to achieve the expected success. The last flagship was the Thesis (2002), praised for its design but not widely sold. In 1993, Lancia withdrew from rallying, marking the end of an era.
In the following decades, the range was drastically reduced, and production focused on the Ypsilon, sold only in Italy. The agreement with Chrysler (2011) to rebrand American models such as the Thema and Voyager was a failure.
However, with the creation of the Stellantis group (2021) and under the leadership of CEO Luca Napolitano, an ambitious relaunch plan has begun. Lancia now aims to return to the premium segment, focusing on design, sustainability, and technical innovation, rediscovering the pioneering spirit that made it famous.