Marchionne: Alfa Romeo to return to the U.S. by 2012

It seems like Sergio Marchionne has finally made up his mind on bringing the Alfa Romeo brand to the United States. According to a Chrysler Group spokesman, remarks made by CEO Marchionne in Toronto say that Alfa should be here by 2012.

“I’m a lot more confident now that Alfa Romeo will reconstitute a product offering that is acceptable globally, and more in particular in the United States and Canada,” Marchionne was quoted as saying Friday. “There is a strong likelihood that the brand will be back here within the next 24 months,” press reports said.

Alfa, which left the U.S. in 1995, was announced to make a comeback in 2003 as a part of an alliance between Fiat SpA and General Motors. However, plans were put on hold after the partnership dissolved, and subsequent statements from executives indicating that a return won’t bear fruit.

– By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)