Automóviles Luarca, SA

Did Automòviles Luarca, SA, better known as ALSA, ever imagine its humble beginnings would lead to a global transportation empire? Right here in Madrid, at ALSA’s headquarters, we unravel a story of innovation and expansion. ALSA’s journey began in 1923 in Luarca, Asturias. It wasn’t a sleek office like this back then. The founders, former stagecoach operators, embraced the burgeoning automobile technology. Automòviles Luarca, SA, was born with a mere 700,000 pesetas and 31 employees. ALSA quickly expanded, acquiring rival companies and establishing vital routes. Imagine those early Saurer Pullman buses traversing the route between Oviedo and La Coruña. This expansion continued, even amidst the disruptions of the Spanish Civil War. By the 1950s, ALSA was a force to be reckoned with, its fleet exceeding 100 vehicles and its routes crisscrossing Asturias. A pivotal moment arrived in 1960 with the merger with Empresa Cosmen. This not only solidified ALSA’s regional dominance but also marked the beginning of its international aspirations. In 1964, ALSA launched its first international route, connecting Oviedo to Paris and Brussels. This marked a new era of growth, extending its reach throughout Europe and later to China and Morocco. Today, ALSA, headquartered here in Madrid, boasts a vast network of buses, connecting cities across Spain and beyond. From its humble beginnings in Luarca, Automòviles Luarca, SA, has transformed the landscape of transportation.