Alpine, the French performance marque, has announced its plans to enter the U.S. market in 2027 with a fully electric lineup. Founded in 1955 by Jean Rédélé, Alpine originally started as a motorsports company and later launched its own sports cars using components from Renault. In 1973, it became a part of Renault and focused on the European market.
In 2021, Alpine became a standalone business and replaced Renault in Formula 1. The company plans to leverage its exposure in F1 to expand to the U.S. and potentially China, where F1’s popularity is growing rapidly. Alpine also participates in the World Endurance Championship and will soon introduce an LMDh race car in the premier Hypercar class.
To support its global expansion, Alpine is working with investment firm RedBird and dealer group AutoNation. Renault CEO Luca de Meo has previously mentioned the possibility of partnering with AutoNation to sell Alpine cars in the U.S., while relying on the dealer network of Renault in other markets.
Currently, Alpine’s only road-going car is the A110, a mid-engine sports car launched in 2017 with annual sales of just a few thousand units. For its entry into the U.S. market, Alpine is preparing two vehicles targeting the SUV segments, similar to the Porsche Cayenne and Macan. Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi has indicated that the platforms for these models may be sourced from another company, with Zheijiang Geely being a natural fit due to its existing collaboration with Renault on joint projects.
In addition to partnering with other companies for its upcoming models, Alpine is also developing its own platform and proprietary technologies for future sports cars. The Alpine Performance Platform (APP), an electric sports car platform, will underpin a redesigned A110 available in coupe and convertible body styles as well as a four-seat coupe called the A310. Alpine had previously planned to collaborate with Lotus on its sports car platform but changed its approach.
Alpine’s future lineup also includes a compact crossover and a subcompact hot hatch, both using platforms from the Renault Nissan Mitsubishi Alliance. The A290 subcompact hot hatch, previewed with a concept in May, will be the first of Alpine’s new EVs and is set to go on sale in 2024. The compact crossover will follow in 2025, and the redesigned A110 is scheduled for 2026. The U.S. models are expected to arrive in 2027 and 2028. However, there is no specific timeline mentioned for the A310.
In addition to electric technology, Alpine is exploring the use of hydrogen-powered internal-combustion engines. This technology, which eliminates carbon emissions, was introduced through Alpine’s Alpenglow concept in 2022.
Alpine aims to transform from a niche brand to a fully-fledged global brand by expanding its range and international presence. The company’s goal is to achieve an operating margin of over 10% by 2030 and establish a sustainable business model.
Overall, Alpine’s entry into the U.S. market with a fully electric lineup in 2027 reflects the growing trend towards electrification in the automotive industry. The company’s focus on performance, motorsports heritage, and collaboration with strategic partners positions it for success in the highly competitive American market. With its expansion plans and investment in new technologies, Alpine is poised to become a significant player in the global automotive industry.
