DeLorean's Alpha 5 EV Faces $4.6M Judgment as Electric Revival Falters
Nearly 40 years after the original DeLorean DMC-12 became a cultural icon — thanks in huge part to Back to the Future — the automotive world almost got a sequel: a sleek electric car called the Alpha5. Promised as the modern rebirth of the stainless-steel gull-wing legend, the Alpha5 had everything going for it on paper. A joint venture between Humble, Texas-based DeLorean Motor Co. (DMC) and a San Antonio startup called DeLorean Reimagined LLC, the electric version of the classic was pitched as both a nostalgic throwback and a future-ready EV.
But today, the dream of “Back to the Future” on four wheels is facing a very real legal and financial reality check.
🧾 A $4.6 Million Judgment and a Broken Promise
In early 2026, an Italian automotive design powerhouse, Italdesign Giugiaro S.p.A., went to federal court in Houston asking a judge to enforce a $4.6 million arbitration judgment against DeLorean. Why? Because the company had been hired back in 2022 to design and build the show-ready Alpha5 concept — and was not fully paid.
Despite an initial $500,000 payment, Italdesign says it was never paid the balance of what it was owed for the design work — even after repeated promises. When talks failed, Italdesign took the matter to arbitration and won. Now, after months of inaction, they want the money enforced through the U.S. court system.
As of this writing, DeLorean has not filed a response. A conference date is scheduled for April; until then, the future of this judgment — and potentially the Alpha5 itself — hangs in the balance.
🛠️ From Pebble Beach to Courtroom Bench
The Alpha5 wasn’t just any concept car. It debuted at a prestigious auto show in Pebble Beach, California and boasted features that excited both EV junkies and nostalgic gearheads:
A four-seat layout with gull-wing doors reminiscent of the original DMC-12
A sleek, modern design influenced by classic DeLorean concepts
Bold claims of high performance and modern electric range — though details were sparse and always more promise than product
But excitement around the project never turned into tangible deliverables. There’s been no official production model, no detailed pricing, no confirmed factory, and critically — no delivery timeline. The ambitious goal of launching production by 2023 quietly faded into silence.
🔄 Turbulent Management and Lost Momentum
Compounding the legal drama are leadership and operational struggles within the DeLorean reboot. Former CEO Joost de Vries stepped down in late 2023, and the company scaled back its public plans, closing significant offices in San Antonio and abandoning job promises tied to tax incentives.
In practical terms, what was once marketed as a bold new automotive revival now appears as a small niche outfit pivoting toward limited production — far from the industry-shaking vision originally touted.
🤔 What Does This Mean for EV Fans and DeLorean Fans Alike?
The Alpha5 saga reads like a cautionary tale for automotive startups:
Brand nostalgia can’t replace execution
Big promises need big backing
Design work without production plans is just design work
For fans who dreamed of seeing a modern electric DeLorean on the street, the recent judgment is more than a news headline — it’s a clear sign that all the hype in the world doesn’t guarantee a car in your driveway.
Whether the judgment results in payment, settlement, or a restructuring of the project, one thing is clear: the Alpha5 is no longer just an exciting concept — it’s now a business problem with real consequences.