Alfa Romeo’s planned return to the U.S. market has not been without its fair share of setbacks, but, thanks to some unflappable determination, the Italian automaker is primed for a successful reintroduction into the U.S. market in 2010 or 2011.
Fiat-owned Alfa Romeo stopped selling vehicles in the U.S. in 1995, but, if all continues smoothly, the legendary Italian brand should once again be available on this side of the Atlantic by early next decade.
However, a few hurdles still remain in Alfa’s path as it prepares to re-enter the U.S. market, with the biggest question marks lingering over products and production. The 8C sports car is already earmarked to be the first Alfa vehicle available in the States, but it remains unclear which models will round out Alfa’s U.S. offerings. In the wake of $4 gasoline, Alfa’s new compact MiTo looks like a smart choice for U.S. consumption, and Alfa’s 147 and 159 replacements will probably make the cross-ocean voyage. Alfa’s Brera and an all-new crossover could also be in the cards for the U.S.
Although still awaiting the go-ahead from Alfa executives, there is also word of a range-topping Alfa model – to replace the 166 and possibly wear a new 169 nameplate – that could ride on a Jaguar rear-wheel drive platform. If given the green light, it too could wind up on American shores.
As far as production goes, Alfa is eyeing a North American plant, with several options still on the table. The first option would see Alfa building a completely new production plant somewhere in North America. The second would involve Alfa using some production space not currently utilized by the Big Three. Alfa’s third option would be to use some of Case New Holland’s – which is owned by Alfa’s parent company, Fiat – production capacity to produce Alfa Romeo vehicles. At this point, it’s unclear which option Alfa Romeo is favoring. At any rate, Alfa’s North American production is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2013.
The last big mystery surrounding Alfa’s return to the U.S. market revolves around the retail side of the business. The Italian automaker has reportedly ruled out the possibility of using Maserati dealers as Alfa dealerships because Maserati’s network of only 85 dealers won’t provide the scope Alfa is looking for. That means that Alfa’s partnership with BMW will likely see some MINI dealers doubling as Alfa Romeo dealerships.
Despite the magnitude and volume of the question marks surround Alfa’s return to the U.S. market, Alfa’s top brass is set on a return to the world’s largest new car market, which is good news for anyone that resides in the States.
08/18, 2:16 PM
posted by:
fuk-u-asshole
everybody loves alfa. the car you buy with you heart
08/18, 2:33 PM
posted by:
02WRXPSM
This is absolutely awesome news, Alfa has some extraordinary sport sub-compacts that will tear the s**t out of American streets. BMW is stupid to put these next to MINIs, they will be competing with themselves inside the same dealership.
08/18, 2:35 PM
posted by:
Vosotros
I don’t think there’s any question that Alfa Romeo would do well in the US. They’ll be the stylish alternative to an Audi or BMW.
08/18, 3:07 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
It’ll be nice to have cars in this country that are actually pleasing to the eye.
08/18, 3:16 PM
posted by:
shaver
Alfas are pretty, but they dont even do well in Europe outside Italy. Fiat had to save them from the brink and they are now just rebadged Fiats. Or in the case of the beautiful 8C a Maserati. They are really just marketing arm of Fiat with no real engineering or production of their own.
08/18, 4:21 PM
posted by:
global_lightning
Mini’s are selling at max capacity and BMW isn’t planning on increasing production. Getting Alfa’s in the same showrooms will absorb the excess demand. Nice position to be in!
08/18, 5:32 PM
posted by:
inline6
shaver, that’s totally false.
Can you tell me which Fiat products share a platform with the 159/Brera/Spider, the division’s bread-and-butter? What more pedestrian vehicles use the Alfa V6? What about the Q4 system?
Alfa most definitely does its own engineering and is responsible for its own production.
08/18, 6:08 PM
posted by:
Bimmer
From what I read in UK magazines, Alfa is trailing in quality compare to BMW.
08/18, 6:32 PM
posted by:
ktulu
yay!
08/18, 6:40 PM
posted by:
olds307
lol
08/18, 7:02 PM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
“everybody loves alfa. the car you buy with you heart
Comment by fuk-u-asshole, posted on August18 at 2:16 pm ”
As opposed to the Camry, which is a car you buy with your fu.cking as.shole
08/18, 8:49 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
^^^ Alfa’s had horrible quality in the recent past.
Do I think this is a good move? Nope. Alfa is trying to move way up market, where their European offerings don’t compete. For the most part, their coming with their top of the line, largest vehicles. I think they would fill a small niche if they were to bring over their premium small compacts. It’s a market that doesn’t exist in the U.S.
08/18, 10:26 PM
posted by:
fuk-u-asshole
recent alfa, brera,159,spider and now the mito have really good quality and im in love with the lancia delta.Maseratti is on a roll and the punto,bravo and 500 are great cars,the Fiat group has made a great turnaround. would be nice to see them as get No1 in europe again cause im sick with VW,
i like the scirocco but hate the new golf and they canceled rear engined UP small car, makes me sick.
but the chances of FIAT being larger than VW are unlikely
08/19, 10:56 AM
posted by:
Get Real
“Hey..Fix It Again Tony…13 years later we get our jobs back.”
We can reopen our shop.
Happy days are here again for us.
08/24, 1:33 PM
posted by:
LDMAN
@02WRXPSM BMW is many things but not stupid.They are one of the shrewdest manufacturer and must know something we do not. Who is to say that being penalized on CO2 emission by the EU they will not buy Fiat outright to lower the corporate CO2 levels and avoid heavy fines. Watch this space.