Alfi was a German automobile brand that produced cars and commercial vehicles in Berlin during 1921–1925 and 1927–1928.
Last updated August 27, 2026
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Overview
Alfi was a short-lived German automobile brand associated with Berlin’s early automotive industry. Its history had two distinct phases. The first began in 1921, when the electrical and vehicle manufacturer AG für Akkumulatoren- und Automobilbau, commonly abbreviated as AAA, started producing vehicles under the Alfi name. AAA had previously developed the AAA line of electric cars and vans, some of which were supplied in substantial numbers to the German postal service. As the company shifted from electric vehicles toward cars powered by internal-combustion engines, it changed its corporate name to Alfi in 1922. The name was derived from that of its owner, Alex Fischer. The first-generation Alfi range used several small-displacement engines. The initial model was powered by a 780 cc flat-twin engine. It was followed by a car using a 940 cc side-valve inline-four supplied by Steudel of Kamenz in Saxony. A later model used a 1,320 cc inline-four engine manufactured by Atos of Berlin. The company ended this first period of production in 1925. Alfi returned in 1927 through a newly established company, Alfi Automobile GmbH, again formed by Alex Fischer. The second-generation vehicles differed substantially from the earlier cars. They were three-wheelers powered by DKW engines, with the engine driving the single front wheel. The front wheel assembly could be turned through 180 degrees, allowing the vehicle to be propelled backward. This unusual arrangement reflected the experimentation common among small European manufacturers during the interwar period, particularly in the market for economical light vehicles. The second-generation range also included the Alfi Sport, a four-wheeled model fitted with a 2/10 PS engine. It was offered as either an open two-seater or a coupé two-seater and was produced only in small numbers. Alfi’s second period was brief: the company closed in 1928. The surviving record identifies Alfi as a niche and technically varied manufacturer rather than a mass-market automobile company. Its significance lies in its transition from battery-electric vehicles and utility vans to small internal-combustion cars, followed by an experimental three-wheeler program. It should not be confused with other businesses using the Alfi name, including the later German thermal-container brand.
History
Alfi emerged from AG für Akkumulatoren- und Automobilbau, a Berlin-based electrical and automobile manufacturer known as AAA. Before adopting the Alfi name, AAA produced electric cars and vans, including vehicles supplied to the German postal service. This early connection gave the company experience in vehicle construction and commercial applications, but its subsequent identity was shaped by a move toward internal-combustion automobiles. In 1921, the company began building vehicles associated with the Alfi brand. The transition was formalized in 1922, when the business changed its name to Alfi. The name was based on the name of its owner, Alex Fischer. The first generation consisted of compact automobiles using a succession of small engines. The earliest model had a 780 cc flat-twin. Later cars adopted a 940 cc side-valve inline-four manufactured by Steudel of Kamenz, Saxony, and then a 1,320 cc inline-four produced by Atos of Berlin. These changes indicate an attempt to broaden or modernize the range through externally sourced power units rather than relying on one stable in-house engine family. Production of the first-generation Alfi vehicles ended in 1925. The brand then returned in a new corporate form in 1927, when Alex Fischer established Alfi Automobile GmbH. The second-generation vehicles were technically distinct from the earlier cars. They were three-wheelers using DKW engines, with power transmitted to the single front wheel. The front wheel could be rotated 180 degrees, enabling the vehicle to move backward. This design was an unusual solution for maneuverability and packaging and placed Alfi among the small manufacturers experimenting with unconventional light-vehicle layouts in the 1920s. The later company also produced the Alfi Sport, a four-wheeled model powered by a 2/10 PS engine. It was built in small numbers with either open or coupé two-seat bodywork. The Sport represented a more conventional configuration than the three-wheelers, but it did not establish a substantial production business. Alfi Automobile GmbH closed in 1928, bringing the brand’s automobile activity to an end. The available historical record does not establish detailed production totals, a complete model-year chronology, factory capacity, distribution network, or the precise financial circumstances of closure. Alfi is therefore best understood as a small, defunct German manufacturer whose documented activity spans two brief production periods: 1921–1925 and 1927–1928. Its historical interest comes from the combination of early electric-vehicle production inherited from AAA, a short-lived range of small petrol cars, and an experimental DKW-powered three-wheeler program.
- 1928
Alfi closes
[1]The second Alfi company ended operations after producing three-wheelers and small numbers of the four-wheeled Alfi Sport.
- 1927
Alfi Automobile GmbH is established
[1]Alex Fischer formed a new Alfi company and restarted production with DKW-powered three-wheelers.
- 1925
First production period ends
[1]The first Alfi company ceased automobile production after developing models with 780 cc, 940 cc, and 1,320 cc engines.
- 1922
AAA adopts the Alfi name
[1]As the company moved from electric vehicles toward internal-combustion cars, it changed its name to Alfi, derived from owner Alex Fischer’s name.
- 1921
Alfi vehicle production begins
[1]AG für Akkumulatoren- und Automobilbau began producing vehicles associated with the Alfi brand in Berlin.
Products and positioning
Early German automobile manufacturer focused on small cars, light utility vehicles, and experimental three-wheelers.
Electric vehicles
AAA electric cars and vans
Before the Alfi name was adopted, the parent business AG für Akkumulatoren- und Automobilbau produced electric cars and vans under the AAA line. These vehicles were supplied in large numbers to the German postal service and formed the company’s initial commercial-vehicle and electric-mobility experience.
Passenger car
Alfi 780 cc model
The first documented Alfi automobile used a 780 cc flat-twin engine. It belonged to the brand’s first production generation, built in Berlin during the early 1920s.
Passenger car
Alfi 940 cc model
A later first-generation Alfi car used a 940 cc side-valve inline-four engine manufactured by Steudel of Kamenz in Saxony. The model formed part of Alfi’s progression through several externally sourced engine configurations.
Passenger car
Alfi 1,320 cc model
Another first-generation Alfi automobile was powered by a 1,320 cc inline-four built by Atos of Berlin. It was the largest of the specifically documented first-generation engine options.
Three-wheeled automobile · 1927
Alfi three-wheelers
The second-generation Alfi vehicles, introduced after the 1927 reorganization, were three-wheelers powered by DKW engines. The engine drove the single front wheel, which could be turned 180 degrees to allow the vehicle to travel backward.
Light sports car · 1927
Alfi Sport
The Alfi Sport was a four-wheeled model with a 2/10 PS engine. It was offered with either open or coupé two-seat bodywork and was manufactured only in small numbers during the company’s second period.
Brand decisions
1927
Restart with DKW-powered three-wheelersProduct launchBackground
After the first company ended production in 1925, Alex Fischer created a new Alfi company.
Action taken
Alfi Automobile GmbH introduced three-wheelers using DKW engines and a single powered front wheel, alongside the four-wheeled Alfi Sport.
Aftermath
The company operated only briefly and closed in 1928.
1922
Shift from electric vehicles to engine-driven carsStrategyBackground
AAA had previously concentrated on electric cars and vans, including vehicles used by the German postal service. The company decided to enter engine-driven passenger cars.
Action taken
The business changed its name to Alfi and introduced a succession of small internal-combustion automobiles.
Aftermath
The first Alfi production period continued until 1925 and included models using engines from Steudel and Atos.
Recent events
Reported
Alfi announces planned rideshare tablet rollout in Austin and Las Vegas[3]
Alfi announced that it would roll out its AI-enabled tablets to rideshare drivers in Austin and Las Vegas; the source describes the rollout as a plan, not a completed deployment.
Reported
Alfi announces planned rideshare tablet rollout in Austin and Las Vegas[4]
Alfi announced plans to begin rolling out its AI-enabled tablets to rideshare drivers in Austin and Las Vegas. The rollout was described as a future plan, not a completed deployment.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Alfi launches upgraded driver portal[4]
Alfi launched an upgraded version of its driver portal to support payments, monitor activity, and manage service for rideshare drivers across its 16 markets.
Reported
Alfi announces AI advertising technology agreement for BWI Marshall Airport[5]
Alfi announced an agreement with SmartCity Wireless Solutions of BWI to install its AI digital advertising technology in kiosks at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The initial installation was planned to include six kiosks, with operation expected by the end of the first quarter of 2022.
Reported
Alfi partners with Vistar Media for programmatic advertising[6]
Alfi announced a partnership with Vistar Media to provide advertisers and agencies programmatic access to Alfi's advertising inventory and enable complex ad delivery across campaigns.
Alfi partners with programmatic exchange[7]
Alfi announced a partnership with a programmatic exchange to provide advertisers and agencies one interface to manage, schedule, and sell ads. The exchange and Alfi's platform are described as enabling campaign management and monetization of unsold inventory.
Reported
Alfi announces proposed initial public offering[8]
Alfi announced plans to commence a roadshow for a proposed initial public offering of 3,000,000 common shares and 3,000,000 warrants. The offering price and Nasdaq listing were described as expected, and the registration statement had not yet become effective.
Sources8 sources
- 1Alfi (car manufacturer)en.wikipedia.org
- 2Alfi Automobile GmbH in Die großen Automobil- und Motorradrennen – Fichtenhain-Rennbahn 1925–1932books.google.com
- 3Alfi宣布计划在奥斯汀和拉斯维加斯的网约车推出平板电脑digitalsignagetoday.com
- 4Alfi宣布计划在奥斯汀和拉斯维加斯推出网约车平板finanznachrichten.de
- 5Alfi宣布为巴尔的摩—华盛顿国际机场提供AI广告技术finanznachrichten.de
- 6Alfi与Vistar Media合作开展程序化广告finanznachrichten.de
- 7Alfi与程序化广告交易平台建立合作pittsburghstar.com
- 8Alfi宣布拟进行首次公开募股finanznachrichten.de
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