Italie
Lancia
Lancia is an Italian automaker founded in Turin on November 27, 1906 by Vincenzo Lancia (1881-1937) and Claudio Fogolin, two former FIAT employees passionate about the automobile. From its earliest days, the brand distinguished itself through technical innovation: the 1922 Lambda introduced a load-bearing unitary (monocoque) body, a pioneering approach for the era, and the 1948 Ardea received a five-speed gearbox. Over the decades, Lancia built a reputation for elegance, refinement and advanced engineering solutions, with landmark models such as the Aurelia, the Fulvia, the Stratos, the Delta and the Thema. The brand became a rally legend: the Delta Integrale dominated the World Rally Championship in the 1980s and 1990s, and to this day Lancia holds more manufacturers' world titles than any other brand, even though it has not competed in the discipline since 1992. In 1969, Lancia was acquired by Fiat, becoming one of its brands. During the 2010s, lacking models of its own, the lineup shrank dramatically and for a time relied on rebadged Chryslers (Thema, Flavia, Voyager) for Europe; from 2015 onward, Lancia sold only a single model, the small Ypsilon, and almost exclusively on the Italian market. With the creation of Stellantis in 2021 (the merger of PSA and FCA), Lancia was integrated into the group's European division and became the subject of an ambitious relaunch plan. A new Ypsilon was launched in 2024, followed by a Gamma sedan announced for 2026 and a new Delta planned for around 2028, with a gradual return to several European countries. In North America, Lancia never established a sales network: the brand is essentially unknown to the general public there, as the planned models shared with Chrysler were ultimately marketed under the Chrysler brand in the United States and Canada.
ActivePerformanceÉlectrique / hybrideCamion / utilitaireEuropéennes
History
History of Lancia
Lancia is an Italian automaker founded in Turin on November 27, 1906 by Vincenzo Lancia (1881-1937) and Claudio Fogolin, two former FIAT employees passionate about the automobile. From its earliest days, the brand distinguished itself through technical innovation: the 1922 Lambda introduced a load-bearing unitary (monocoque) body, a pioneering approach for the era, and the 1948 Ardea received a five-speed gearbox. Over the decades, Lancia built a reputation for elegance, refinement and advanced engineering solutions, with landmark models such as the Aurelia, the Fulvia, the Stratos, the Delta and the Thema. The brand became a rally legend: the Delta Integrale dominated the World Rally Championship in the 1980s and 1990s, and to this day Lancia holds more manufacturers' world titles than any other brand, even though it has not competed in the discipline since 1992. In 1969, Lancia was acquired by Fiat, becoming one of its brands. During the 2010s, lacking models of its own, the lineup shrank dramatically and for a time relied on rebadged Chryslers (Thema, Flavia, Voyager) for Europe; from 2015 onward, Lancia sold only a single model, the small Ypsilon, and almost exclusively on the Italian market. With the creation of Stellantis in 2021 (the merger of PSA and FCA), Lancia was integrated into the group's European division and became the subject of an ambitious relaunch plan. A new Ypsilon was launched in 2024, followed by a Gamma sedan announced for 2026 and a new Delta planned for around 2028, with a gradual return to several European countries. In North America, Lancia never established a sales network: the brand is essentially unknown to the general public there, as the planned models shared with Chrysler were ultimately marketed under the Chrysler brand in the United States and Canada.
Public founding or origin of Lancia.
Technologies
Technologies, innovations and platforms
The new generation of Lancia is built on Stellantis group multi-energy platforms (CMP/e-CMP architectures, then STLA for upcoming models), which make it possible to offer, on a single base, both 48 V mild-hybrid gasoline powertrains and fully electric versions. The new Ypsilon is thus offered with a 1.2 turbo gasoline engine paired with 48 V hybridization producing around 110 hp, or an electric drivetrain of around 156 hp, with range extended to nearly 420 km on the electric version thanks to an optimized battery and powertrain. A sportier HF variant, electric and more powerful, carries on the brand's rally heritage. The models benefit from modern driver-assistance systems and safety equipment shared across Stellantis (autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping, adaptive cruise control), as well as connected infotainment. The electrification strategy follows the group's European timeline toward going fully electric.
Brand image
Identity, reputation, strengths and weaknesses
Positioning
A historic and refined Italian Stellantis brand, currently in the midst of a relaunch, focused on chic compact hybrid and electric cars for the European market.
Reputation
Historically, Lancia enjoyed an image of a refined and innovative brand, but its reputation suffered in the 1970s and 1980s from corrosion and reliability problems that lastingly tarnished how it was perceived, particularly outside Italy. During the 2010s, reduced to a single model, the brand nearly vanished from view outside its home market. The new Ypsilon received a mixed critical reception: reviewers praise the neo-retro styling and the chic positioning, while noting a high price and a technical base shared with other Stellantis models. Resale value remains difficult to assess in the context of the relaunch. In North America, the brand has no established presence or reputation.
Strengths
Lancia benefits from a prestigious heritage, a distinctive Italian styling identity and an exceptional sporting legacy in rally racing. Backed by Stellantis, it draws on modern platforms, well-mastered electrification and economies of scale. The new Ypsilon banks on refined design, premium positioning in the small-car segment, and an offering that is both hybrid and electric.
Points to watch
The brand remains fragile: a very limited lineup, low awareness outside Italy, and a complete absence in North America. The success of the relaunch is not guaranteed, and the technical base widely shared with other Stellantis brands limits differentiation. The legacy of reliability and corrosion issues from past decades still weighs on its image. High prices and a limited after-sales network are points to watch.
Models
Lancia models
Current or active models by market
Production and compatibility
Plants, tires and wheels
Production
Lancia production is concentrated in Europe, mainly in Italy within Stellantis' industrial operations. The new Ypsilon is assembled at the Zaragoza (Figueruelas) plant in Spain, on lines shared with other compact models from the group; the upcoming models (Gamma, new Delta) are also expected to rely on European Stellantis sites. Lancia has no plant or assembly line in North America. Historically, certain models sold in Europe under the Lancia badge (such as the Thema of the 2010s) were derived from Chryslers built in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, but these vehicles were never distributed under the Lancia brand on the North American continent.
Tires and wheels
Since Lancias are compact and city cars, they typically run small to mid-sized wheels, most often 15, 16 or 17 inches. The new Ypsilon, for example, commonly comes with 195/55R16 tires from the factory, with options in 185/65R15 and 205/45R17 depending on the trim. Like the other compact models from Stellantis, it uses a four-bolt pattern common to this type of platform. For use in Quebec, winter-rated tires (3PMSF marking) mounted on dedicated 15- or 16-inch wheels are strongly recommended and are mandatory under provincial regulations.