Alfa Romeo ’s 8C Competizione sports car is poised to become the first Alfa available in the U.S. since 1995 when it finally rolls into Maserati dealerships over the next few weeks, but that Italian automaker’s full-blown return to the U.S. has reportedly been delayed.
According to Italiaspeed.com, Alfa Romeo has delayed its long-rumored return to the U.S. market. Alfa Romeo was originally penciled in for a 2010 U.S. re-launch, but that date has now been pushed back at least a year.
Not surprisingly, Alfa’s decision to delay its United States re-launch is directly related to the weak economy. Alfa needs to produce vehicles in North America in order to turn a profit on U.S.-sold cars, but the current economic conditions are less than ideal for nailing down a production infrastructure. However, Fiat-owned Alfa Romeo has reportedly compiled a short list of possible locations, with sites in the U.S. and Mexico making the list.
North American Alfa production wasn’t actually expected to begin until 2013, so it’s possible that the Italian automaker will be able to stick to that timeframe — even with the delayed re-launch. Whatever the case, we hope Alfa doesn’t completely abandon its U.S. plans as the brand arguable makes some of the most beautiful cars on the road.
