Italian Car Brands: Who Owns Them and Where to See Them in Italy (2026)

Italian car brands are some of the most recognizable names on the road. They range from the everyday Fiat 500 to the Ferrari on a poster above a child’s bed. For travelers, they are also a reason to plan a day trip. In fact, most of the famous names still build cars in a small area of northern Italy. Several of them also run museums that you can visit.

Last updated: September 25, 2026

Italian car brands at a glance

Who owns the Italian car brands today

Ownership surprises many visitors. According to the Stellantis brands page (checked September 2026), the group owns five Italian brands. They are Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lancia and Maserati. Stellantis formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Groupe PSA. As a result, these names now share a parent with Jeep and Peugeot.

Ferrari, by contrast, left the Fiat group in 2016 and trades as an independent company. Its largest shareholder is Exor, the Agnelli family holding. According to Exor (checked September 2026), it held 19.5% of the economic rights and 32.2% of the votes on June 30, 2025.

Lamborghini, meanwhile, is German-owned. The Volkswagen Group bought it in July 1998, and the brand sits under Audi. Ducati motorcycles belong to the same group. Even so, all of these brands still design and build their cars in Italy.

The Motor Valley: Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Pagani

Emilia-Romagna calls the area around Modena and Bologna the Motor Valley. Four of the best-known Italian car brands sit within an hour’s drive of each other here. For this reason, you can see several in one day.

Ferrari in Maranello and Modena

Ferrari runs two museums. The Museo Ferrari in Maranello stands near the factory and focuses on the road cars and Formula 1. The Museo Enzo Ferrari in Modena, by contrast, tells the founder’s story at his birthplace. The official Ferrari Store also stands across from the historic factory gates in Maranello.

Lamborghini in Sant’Agata Bolognese

The Lamborghini museum sits next to the plant in Sant’Agata Bolognese, between Modena and Bologna. According to the official Lamborghini museum page (checked September 2026), guided production line tours start from the museum. The museum opens daily with seasonal hours, and some dates close, so check before you go.

Maserati and Pagani

Maserati began in Bologna in 1914 and moved to Modena in 1939. Its headquarters on Viale Ciro Menotti also houses a showroom, and the brand lists a factory tour among its experiences. Pagani, meanwhile, builds its hypercars in San Cesario sul Panaro. Its museum does not need a reservation, but the guided factory tour does.

Turin and Milan: Fiat, Lancia, Abarth and Alfa Romeo

Turin is the birthplace of the Italian car industry. Fiat started there in 1899, and Lancia and Abarth followed. The best single stop is MAUTO, the Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile, on the bank of the Po. According to the official MAUTO site (checked September 2026), it holds over 200 original cars from 80 brands.

For Alfa Romeo, head to Arese, just northwest of Milan. The Museo Storico Alfa Romeo stands on the site of the old factory and reopened in 2015. It covers the brand’s history from the first A.L.F.A. 24 HP of 1910. Also, it makes an easy half day from the city; see our guide to things to do in Milan, and for a base in the city, our guide to where to stay in Milan.

How to plan a day among Italian car brands

• Base yourself in Modena or Bologna. Both have fast trains from Milan and Florence. Also, our guide to things to do in Bologna covers the city itself.
• Book factory tours in advance. Museum entry is simpler, but factory tours have limited places.
• Rent a car or join a tour. Buses and trains between the sites are few. Read our guides to driving in Italy and car rental in Italy first.
• Pair it with food. Modena is also the home of traditional balsamic vinegar, so a tasting fits easily into the same day.
• Check opening days. Hours change by season, and some sites close on holidays.

Shopping for Italian car brand merchandise

For caps, scale models and clothing, first of all, buy at the official brand stores and museum shops. As a result, you avoid the fakes sold at street stalls near tourist sites. Look for the official logo on the tag and a receipt from the brand’s own store. In addition, non-EU visitors who spend enough in one shop can reclaim part of the VAT. Our guide to the VAT refund in Italy explains how. For discounted fashion and sportswear, see our list of outlets in Italy.

Tours that bring the Italian car brands to life

A guided day solves the transport problem and often includes museum entry. Consider these options:

• Ferrari tour in Maranello: a guided visit built around the Ferrari museums and the town.
• Modena balsamic vinegar tour: a tasting at a traditional producer near Modena.
• Bologna food tour: the markets and delis of the city you will likely use as a base.
• Turin food tour: chocolate, coffee and aperitivo in the home city of Fiat.

For more ideas, browse our day trips from Milan and northern Italy itinerary.

Want to see these cars up close? Our guide to Motor Valley Italy covers the Ferrari, Lamborghini and Ducati museums and which factory tours run on which days.

Italian car brands: frequently asked questions

What are the most famous Italian car brands?

Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and Fiat are the best known, followed by Lancia, Abarth and Pagani.

Which Italian car brands are luxury brands?

Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Pagani are Italy’s luxury and supercar makers, all based in or near the Motor Valley around Modena and Bologna. Alfa Romeo is a premium brand, while Fiat, Lancia and Abarth build everyday and sporty cars.

Is Ferrari owned by Fiat or Stellantis?

No. Ferrari separated from the Fiat group in 2016 and is an independent listed company. Exor, the Agnelli family holding, is its largest shareholder.

Who owns Lamborghini?

Lamborghini is part of the Volkswagen Group through Audi, since 1998. It still builds its cars in Sant’Agata Bolognese, near Bologna.

Which Ferrari museum should I visit?

The Museo Ferrari in Maranello focuses on the road cars and Formula 1. The Museo Enzo Ferrari in Modena tells the founder’s story at his birthplace, and many visitors see both.

Where is the best place to see Italian cars in one visit?

For variety, MAUTO in Turin holds over 200 cars from 80 brands. For the supercar makers, base yourself in Modena or Bologna.