Alfa Romeo will launch its full product line-up in the US from late 2012 as part of Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne’s plans to turn Alfa into a “full-line premium carmaker”.
The first Alfas to be sold in the US will be its new small SUV to be built by Chrysler in the US and the new Giulia saloon and estate, Marchionne told Auto News.
European exports of the small SUV based on the Giulietta will also start in late 2012, while the Giulia models will launch in Europe in late 2011/early 2012, replacing the 159.
Read the full story, plus see and exclusive rendering, of the Alfa Giulia
In 2013, Alfa will export a new five-door version of the Mito to the US, a car that will also launch in Europe at the same time. A two-seater rear-drive roadster is also being considered for a 2013 launch; this too would be built in the US, although a platform and factory has yet to be settled upon.
The following year will see a larger SUV, also to be built by Chrysler in the US and to be based on Jeep Liberty. This model will be launched in Europe, too.
Read more on the brace of new Alfa SUVs
And when the Giulietta hatchback is refreshed in 2014, US exports of the model will start.
Marchionne said he expects Alfa to sell 85,000 units in the US by 2014 to help towards annual global Alfa sales of 500,000 units. Last year, the firm sold 100,000 units; around 100 of these came through Maserati dealerships in the US.
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Re: Alfa's US plans uncovered
Re: Alfa's US plans uncovered
I think they've already announced that they will use the Phoenix engine that was developed by Mercedes and Chrysler? It's reportedly a decent enough motor and I'm sure Alfa could work their magic on it to make it better still.
Re: Alfa's US plans uncovered
I must say I'm a bit worried by the anticipated 5-fold increase in global sales, especially in such a short time. If they were aiming for that kind of increase over 10 years I'd think they were optimistic.
Still, access to new platforms and markets is certainly going to help. We might not particularly look forward to Jeep-based Alfa SUV's here in UK but they should go down a storm in USA. The yanks can't whinge about Italian build quality if they're made in USA.