Alfa Romeo will build an entry-premium compact car to rival the Mini Cooper, according to Automotive News Europe. The move is part of a plan to reach financial break-even, the report said. The introduction of such a mainstream model will bring global sales to 300,000 units, the Italian automaker hopes. Dubbed the “Junior,” the three-door hatchback will arrive by 2008. It will use the Fiat Grande Punto platform and will slot below the 148 (the replacement to the 147). Alfa currently only sells 125,00 units annually, meaning it hopes the Junior will more than double its overall volume. It’s not clear if the new compact car will be among Alfa’s U.S. offerings when the brand returns to America in 2009.
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08/21, 5:22 PM
posted by:
Hoity Toity
A lot of people romanticise about Alfa Romeos, but the reliability of their product and their atrocious dealer network stops people buying them in large numbers
08/21, 5:28 PM
posted by:
al
cool
08/21, 6:11 PM
posted by:
Renton
No Alfa in US yet.
Whahhhhhhhhhhh….
08/21, 7:29 PM
posted by:
Ronso
I PERSONALLY THINK ALFA HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE IT HERE IN THE USA….( BUT BEING SOLD AT FERRARI DEALERSHIPS ONLY’S GONNA KILL THEM!)
08/21, 7:35 PM
posted by:
Sphincter says what?
SF LA Seattle Portland Las Vegas Austin Dallas Miami DC New York Boston are the only dealerships that ALfa requires
08/21, 7:54 PM
posted by:
Jay
Alfa will make it as long as the cars they bring over are fuel conscious. As of now most of their products are good looking on the outside, not AMAZING WOW looking but better than some or most offerings over here in USA. Cars like the Brera and 159 would probably sell good over here. It wouldn’t be hard to beat current offerings with sedans and hatchs here, there isn’t much AMAZING about them. There may not be a whole lot amazing about these Alfa cars, but there MORE amazing then most current offerings over here.
08/21, 10:49 PM
posted by:
Gonzalo
i´ve read the comments above and they let me know that none of this persons who posted understand ANYTHING about design, or cars, at least. Alfas, as “products”, if we consider the entire meaning of that word, they`re even beter than BMW`s, or AUDI`s… if we talk about safety, comfort, equipment, and, most important thig of it all: the ENGINES, the performance, alfa does with a straight-4 2,2 lt engine the same thing tan BMW or AUDI will do… but with a 6 cylinder 2,5, or with a TURBOCHARGED 1.8 … imagine an Alfa with a turbo…
08/21, 11:10 PM
posted by:
Anonymous
Ditto Hoity Toity
08/22, 12:17 AM
posted by:
amanda
“JUNIOR”??? Oh yeah, brilliant marketing move. Why not call it the Alfa Pimple?
08/22, 2:55 AM
posted by:
Big Nick
WHAT A WASTE OF TIME!!!!
08/22, 4:42 AM
posted by:
Jurrian
Sure Gonzalo, i beleive you don’t know what youre talking about, because it used to be that way, but since last year Alfa starts to put GM (opel) engines in the cars. which are not powerful at all compared to BMW. but alfa still does make incredibly good driving and good looking cars. but they are messing it up with the crappy engines
08/22, 9:10 AM
posted by:
Andrew
Junior is an historic name for Alfas, but it’s one that won’t resonate with the United States. It’s unfortunate, but it’ll have to be changed if they sell the car here. Two years ago, I’d say that Alfa wanting to bring a small car to the States was a mistake… but now, I’m not sure. Time will tell if Americans will warm up to small, efficient cars.
As for Alfa making an eventual return to the US market: their intentions have been confirmed by high level executives in Italy. The current plans call for Alfas to be sold at Maserati dealerships, which seems reasonable and will give the carmaker the upscale customer care that these special cars deserve. Quality’s way above the early-90s standards and not out of line with BMW and Audi. Get the cars here, Alfa, and Americans will buy them.
08/22, 10:57 AM
posted by:
Atomicbri
I think Alfa should give us a go at a small MINI competitor. MINI needs a lil competition to make sure BMW keeps on its toes. I own a MINI and would love to see something else in this class, more out of curiosity I guess, to see what could be offered. I love Alfas, such a rich history. I owned a Spider (”92) and loved it! People talk about Alfas being unreliable, but I had maybe 2 problems with it while I owned it. If Alfoa offered up A junior, or Alfasud, I would be prone to line up for it! Come on Alfa….bring it on!
08/28, 10:56 PM
posted by:
Gizmodiva.com
Alfa to target Mini with new compact car
Hitherto, Mini has not yet started rolling on the streets but Alfa gears up to compete with it. Just we gals can’t stand anyone superior to us reigning our territory, Alpha Romeo is all set to chase Mini Cooper. Alfa Romeo will build a new car to co…
09/07, 1:25 PM
posted by:
plugot
Ooo, an Italian Mini? How cool, except — if history is any judge — the usual Alfa quality — fried electrics, overheating engines, chinese quality fit’n finish, and naturally, their incompetent (and all too rude) service.
No, the US doesn’t need a MINI imitator, as much as ALfa needs a viable, modern, sales and dealership system. If they can prove that they can produce a car that can thrive in the US market, then I’d be standing in line with a deposit in hand.