Alfa Romeo looks to Reenter US Market with an SUV

We guess there are some of us who think that the time of the SUV is gone. But there are vehicle makers worldwide who don’t necessarily think so.

The Fiat Group, which includes Alfa Romeo, wants to make a splash in the U.S. market. One way it thinks it can be successful is to introduce a new SUV to U.S. drivers.

Recently, Fiat showed off an SUV concept called the Kamal in 2003 at the Geneva Motor Show. But development of the vehicle for production was slowed until it became clear that Alfa Romeo would be re-introduced into North America. Now the top exec at thinks in order to get re-acquainted with Americans it must offer us an SUV.

It is believed that the production model will follow in appearance and features the concept shown in Geneva. Three and five door models may be released and, because of the platform the vehicle will be using, it is said that the engine will be a four cylinder and six cylinder. There may also be a five cylinder turbodiesel.

Foreign car makers seem to still be relying on the SUV in the U.S. market. Other European car makers planning to offer SUVs here other than Alfa include Mercedes-Benz (the GLK), Audi (the Q5), Volkswagen (the Tiguan), and BMW (the X3).

Our take? Smart or not smart?

Alfa looking for U.S. Partner

You may or may not have known that Fiat, the Italian car manufacturer, owns the Alfa Romeo brand. The company is now seeking a partner in North America to help it achieve the goal, which is to release a new Alfa
in the North American marketplace by 2011.
Fiat hopes to sell 300,000 Alfas a year by 2010.

So far Fiat has been mum reports the London Free Press. However, the company says that it must start producing vehicles in 2010 for a 2011 launch.

Our take? We know at least one automaker* who won't be interested in anything Fiat for some time.

*General Motors

Patience of Loyal Alfisti Tested

I am what is known as an "Alfisti", or a fan of the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo. I owned a 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce convertible in Italian Tomato Red that looked a lot like the one Dustin Hoffman drove in “The Graduate”, and I would still have it if I could afford to own two cars.

Like the old joke people about Jaguars,

... it was usually best to own two Alfa Romeos so you would have another one to replace it when the other was in the shop. My Alfa, while it never suffered any catastrophic breakdown, the top leaked, the A/C overheated in hot weather, and the engine liked a drink of oil.

No new Alfa Romeo vehicles have been sold in this country since 1995. I have waited for what has seemed like eternity for the marque to return to the United States and, after years of stalling and delaying, it is starting to look like 2010 will be the year America will see the return of the moderately priced Italian car.

Unfortunately, spearheading the launch is the Alfa Romeo Competizione 8C sports coupe, based on Maserati and Ferrari mechanicals. It is intended as a halo model for the more plebian models and all 100 or so intended for North American sale have been spoken for.

So what can the more cash-poor Alfisti hope for from the revitalized Alfa? Originally Alfa only planned to sell modestly updated versions of its stylish 159 sedan and drop dead gorgeous Brera Coupe and Spider.

The company has now announced a much more ambitious model range. First off is the Alfa Junior, a MINI Cooper-sized hatchback that it hopes will tap into America’s new love of small cars. After that, around 2011, Alfa hopes to have a rear-drive, range topping Alfa 169 on the market. It is looking for a donor platform for the 169, with front runner to be Jaguar. This makes sense since Alfa is also looking to tie up its Maserati/Alfa dealers with Jaguar/Land Rover lots. These niche market European mega-emporiums would help keep overheads low for the brand and give it a ready made sales network.

Also on the drawing board is a Alfa Romeo crossover for 2012 and a jacked-up Audi-Allroad style 159 wagon that is most likely going to be introduced sooner than that. While this may sound nebulous and up in the air, one major thing has changed. The management and styling departments have both had a major end of year shake-up.

For one, Alfa Romeo’s return is now being spearheaded by one Luca De Meo, a higher up from the Fiat Group. He is widely credited with helping put together the range of models that have turned the company from a financial basket case into one of Europe’s most profitable. Another coup is the naming of Frank Stephenson as Chief Brand Stylist. Stephenson is best known as the man behind the BMW MINI Cooper and Fiat 500.

Alfa Romeo is also currently “taking care of business”, quality-wise, in the home country. Its main plant in Sant’ Agnata, Italy, closed for two months starting January 1 in order to bring the plant in line with the quality standards of its European peers. This move is pivotal for the brand, as a re-entry into the United States will require quality that is at least on par with their German neighbors. But let’s be honest, we shouldn’t expect an Alfa 159 to behave like a Toyota Camry. What’s the fun in that?

So what sort of chances do Alfa have at succeeding in the North American market? I, for one, think our auto market is hungry for something new, fresh and exciting. As long as the quality holds up, and the weakness of the dollar doesn’t destroy their profit margins, Alfa Romeo looks set to prosper.

But hurry up already Alfa Romeo! I can’t hold off my midlife crisis forever! Why else would I buy another red Italian sports car?

Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione beautifies Paris Motor Show

Exotic car manufacturer Alfa Romeo has released details of the 8C Competizione, its entry at the Paris Motor Show later this month.

The production coupe is not dissimilar to the concept first shown at the 2004 Frankfurt Motor Show a couple of years ago. Biggest difference is the engine: unlike the concept, the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione will be equipped with a 4.7 liter V-8 engine capable of generating easily over 400 horsepower. Full track stats are not yet available: however, with its carbon fiber body and that engine, the 8C Competizione should be able to go from 0 to 60 in less than 5 seconds.

Our take? Pricing information has not yet been released. Alfa Romeo plans to produce only 500 of these beauties. If Italian is part of your definition of luxury vehicle, reserve your place now.

More pictures can be found at the link and additional articles.

Alfa Romero Returns to the United States in 2009

Alfa Romeo will be returning to the United States in 2009. The move will also include a major effort to create a new dealer network. The inventory will include a new 169 luxury car, a cross utility vehicle, and specialty cars including the Brera Coupe (pictured) and Spider Roadster.

The company is coordinating its efforts to build a dealer network with JD Power and Associates in Los Angeles, California. Plans now call for Alfa to sell at least 18,000 vehicles in the United States in 2010. If achieved, it would mark about 6% of the Company's worldwide sales estimate of 300,000.

In addition, Alfa has announced the addition of three new models during the next four years. This includes the Junior, a three-door sporty compact that will target the young buyer and is expected to be offered in 2008; the 169, a sporty sedan with a price tag of $51,000 to $70,000 and a sales date of 2009; and the Cxover, a five-door CUV which will sell for $36,000 with a release in 2010.

Our take? Alfa Romeo has some of the most beautiful cars in the world. The news of a possible SUV, though, took us by surprised. The exotic car maker, though, could be eyeing its rival Porsche's success with the Cayenne SUV, though, and hopes buyers will continue to be in the market. Personally, we can't wait to check out all the new vehicles.