By Leftlane Staff
Monday, Aug 21st, 2006 @ 5:04 pm

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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