Alfa Romeo to Return to U.S. With Fresh Lineup, New Dealer Network

Alfa Romeo SpA’s return to the U.S. in 2009 means putting as much effort into a new dealer network as it does the products that will arrive, including a new 169 luxury car; cross/utility vehicle; and specialty cars, the Brera coupe and Spider roadster.

Alfa is working with Maserati SpA to choose a dealer network and is coordinating with JD Power and Associates in Los Angeles to help it prepare, Antonio Baravalle, vice-president-marketing, says at a presentation to financial analysts here.

Alfa plans to sell at least 18,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2010, some 6% of its worldwide sales goal of 300,000 units. This year, sales will be about 160,000 units, Baravalle says.



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BMW530i - 11/14/2006 12:56:02 PM

+1 Boost

I've been longing for Alfas to come back here because of their beautiful and exciting designs. Alfa Romeo's were designed with passion and love hands down.

Would be great if they came over and were priced in the mainstream segment. Alfas in Europe are in this market, not the luxury sector. Sadly, Alfa will exploit this opportunity and prestige price their cars and aim for the likes of Saab, Volvo and possibly Audi, Acura and Infiniti.

A shame. They're mainstream cars, not luxury and I'd love to see them next to sleeping pills like the Camry or Accord.

Bring them over and price them right: that means, not to expensively!

bmwdrvr - 11/14/2006 2:51:17 PM

+1 Boost

i wouldnt call any of the cars that you listed "prestige priced" they all with maybe the exception of audi are priced considerably less than the mainstream luxury brands Mercedes, Bmw, lexus, and even Cadillac. for the segment those cars are more value priced by comparison. in europe the alfas already compete in the same league as the cars you mentioned, so they wouldnt bring them here to compete with honda, and toyota. fiat would compete with those cars techincally......fiat, alfa, maserati, ferrari, in that order. but im interested in seeing if the new alfas are more reliable as well, and more high quality i to remember the old days when they were awful cars. havnt read anything about their reliability but they seem to test well from the mags, and sites ive read on the new ones.

ATrain - 11/14/2006 8:29:11 PM

+1 Boost

Last I checked, the 8C was going to be priced around US$200k, not exactly Volvo territory.

It is very sweet but at that price...

Willis - 11/14/2006 1:10:45 PM

0 Boost

I've owned an Alfa in the past. The 166. A truly beautiful car and fun to drive with that slick 5-speed manual. I still miss it.

True, reliability and build quality were terrible and that eventually was the reason I sold it off and got a BMW 325i. I did put up with the troubles for a long time but in the end, my wallet made more sense than my passion and love for the car.

I do think and hope that the newer Alfa's are better. Such sweet cars.

2JZSoarer - 11/14/2006 11:37:20 PM

+1 Boost

I heard Renault is coming to the states also,because rumor has it at the dealer where I work,people are saying that they are going to open a Renault dealer next door!!!I don't know if it is true...

IluvFcars - 12/8/2006 2:19:26 PM

+1 Boost

Bring back the Alfa, great idea but bring in affordable Alfa's not those demanding $200K.