Alfa Romeo Confirms US Launch for New Sedan and SUV by 2017
Alfa Romeo will introduce a new midsize saloon and its first SUV to the US market, with both models scheduled to arrive by early 2017.
Alfa Romeo will bring a new midsize saloon and its first SUV to the United States, aiming for US showroom arrivals between early 2016 and early 2017. The announcement marks a renewed push by the Italian marque to establish itself in the world’s largest luxury car market, following years of limited presence and repeated delays.
US debut for new Alfa Romeo saloon
Reid Bigland, head of Alfa Romeo in North America, confirmed that the new D-segment saloon will be officially unveiled on 24 June in Milan. US sales are scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2016. Alfa Romeo has yet to confirm the model’s name, although speculation points to the Giulia badge. The car will replace the 159 and target key rivals including the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4. While technical details remain under wraps, Alfa Romeo executives have promised performance above the segment’s current leaders.
First Alfa Romeo SUV to challenge German rivals
Following the saloon, Alfa Romeo will introduce its first ever SUV to the US market. The D-segment SUV is expected to arrive in American showrooms in late 2016 or early 2017. Alfa Romeo is positioning the model against the BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Porsche Macan, reflecting the growing demand for premium SUVs among US buyers. No technical specifications or official name have been released for the SUV at this stage.
Alfa Romeo’s model strategy for North America
The new saloon and SUV are the first steps in Alfa Romeo’s plan to introduce eight new global models before 2018. The brand’s US relaunch began with the 4C sports car, but the upcoming mainstream models are intended to compete directly with established German marques. The success of these launches will be crucial for Alfa Romeo’s ambitions to rebuild its North American presence after years of false starts and limited sales. For more on Alfa Romeo’s US SUV plans, see Alfa Romeo SUV to Enter US Market in 2013 After Delays.
