Alfa Romeo's original name, abbreviated A.L.F.A., stood for which Italian phrase?

Alfa Romeo's original name, abbreviated A.L.F.A., stood for Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili.

The company was founded in Milan on June 24, 1910, after Italian investors acquired the assets of the struggling Italian branch of French manufacturer Darracq. “Anonima” referred to the company’s legal form, while “Lombarda” identified Lombardy, the northern Italian region centered on Milan. The first A.L.F.A. car was the 24 HP, designed by Giuseppe Merosi.

A common mix-up is treating the initials as a description of the cars rather than the company’s formal name. The word order matters: it is Fabbrica Automobili, not Fabbricanti Automobili. Nicola Romeo took control during World War I, when the factory shifted toward military production and aircraft engines. The name changed to Alfa Romeo in 1920, after Romeo’s involvement. Thus, “Romeo” was added later; it was not part of the original A.L.F.A. acronym.