Alfa Romeo will launch its full product lineup in the US from late 2012 as part of Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne's plans to turn Alfa into a “full-line premium carmaker.”
The first Alfas to be sold in the U.S. will be its new small SUV to be built by Chrysler and the new Giulia sedan (shown in artist's rendering at left) and wagon, Marchionne told Auto News.
European exports of the small SUV based on the Giulietta will also start in late 2012, while the Giulia models will launch in Europe in late 2011/early 2012, replacing the 159.
In 2013, Alfa will export a new five-door version of the Mito to the U.S., a car that will also launch in Europe at the same time. A two-seater rear-drive roadster is also being considered for a 2013 launch; this too would be built in America, although a platform and factory has yet to be settled upon.
The following year will see a larger SUV, also to be built by Chrysler in the U.S. and to be based on Jeep Liberty. This model will be launched in Europe, too. When the Giulietta hatchback is refreshed in 2014, U.S. exports of the model will start.
Marchionne said he expects Alfa to sell 85,000 units in the U.S. by 2014 to help toward annual global Alfa sales of 500,000 units. Last year, the company sold 100,000 units; around 100 of these came through Maserati dealerships in the U.S.
Source: Autocar