Alfa Romeo's Return to North America Delayed Until 2013
Those who have been eagerly awaiting the return of the Alfa Romeo brand to North America will have to continue to be patient as the premium Fiat group brand won’t arrive in 2012 as previously planned. According to sources inside Alfa, the brand’s launch in the U.S. and Canada has been pushed back until 2013.
The reason revolves around the new Giulia mid-size sedan and wagon counterparts. This platform will also form the basis of the next-generation Chrysler 200 and Dodge Challenger. Reportedly, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne isn’t pleased with the design of the Giulia, nor is he pleased with what Dodge and Chrysler designers are planning for the car.
Alfa’s success, not just in North America, but also in Europe, depends highly on this new model. Having cut the GT coupe, Brera coupe and Spider roadster last year, Alfa only offers three models: the MiTo, Giulietta and 159. This gives it the unique distinction of having the least number of products on offer of any European premium brand. (Yes, even less than Saab).
[Source: Automotive News]
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With AutoGuide from its launch, Colum previously acted as Editor-in-Chief of Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine where he became a certifiable car snob driving supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX and racing down the autobahn in anything over 500 hp. He has won numerous automotive journalism awards including the Best Video Journalism Award in 2014 and 2015 from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Colum founded Geared Content Studios, VerticalScope's in-house branded content division and works to find ways to integrate brands organically into content.
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Oh this stinks. I agree the product must be right and the last supposed teaser image of a black new Giulia was nothing more than a Camry (shudder) with an Alfa styled nose. But this further delay is really stinky news.
I hope its sooner than later. I have just rented an Alfa Giulietta in the UK and was very impressed. It was a diesel 6 speed manual and had no problem cruising at 160-180 km/hr. I drove 450 km on the highway and only used 19.25 liters of diesel. As long as the diesel version comes to Canada I will be the first in line to buy.