Who Owns Alpine?

Alpine's history begins in 1955 when Jean Redele founded the brand in Dieppe, France. Redele was a Renault dealer and passionate rally driver who created Alpine to produce lightweight, high-performance sports cars capable of competing in international motorsport events. The company's early models were based on Renault mechanicals but featured distinctive fiberglass bodywork and a focus on low weight, establishing Alpine's reputation for innovative engineering and performance optimization. Redele's vision was to create sports cars that could compete successfully in motorsport while being accessible to driving enthusiasts, combining performance with practicality in a way that would define the brand's DNA for decades to come.

Alpine quickly gained recognition for its innovative engineering and racing success. The original Alpine A110, introduced in 1962, became one of the the most celebrated rally cars in history, winning the inaugural World Rally Championship in 1973. The brand established itself as a manufacturer of exclusive, high-performance vehicles known for their agility, precision handling, and driving dynamics. Alpine's motorsport success translated into strong brand recognition and customer loyalty among driving enthusiasts, creating a legacy of racing excellence that would influence automotive design and engineering for generations.

In 1973, Renault acquired Alpine, bringing the sports car brand into the Renault Group. Under Renault ownership, Alpine produced the A310 and GTA models through the 1970s and 1980s. However, production ceased in 1995 as Renault shifted focus to its core mass-market operations. This hiatus marked the end of Alpine's first chapter as an active manufacturer, though the brand's legacy continued to inspire automotive enthusiasts and collectors worldwide. The period of dormancy demonstrated the challenges of maintaining niche performance brands within large automotive corporations focused on volume production.

After a two-decade hiatus, Renault revived the Alpine brand in 2017 with the launch of the new A110, a mid-engine sports car that received widespread critical acclaim for its lightweight construction and engaging driving experience. Alpine has since expanded into Formula 1 racing, rebranding the Renault F1 team as Alpine F1 Team in 2021. The brand is also developing an all-electric lineup as part of Renault's electrification strategy, with plans to become a fully electric performance brand by 2026, demonstrating Alpine's commitment to innovation and sustainable performance. This remarkable revival showcases Alpine's enduring appeal and Renault's strategic commitment to preserving and revitalizing iconic automotive brands while adapting them to modern technological and market requirements.