Alfa Romeo’s return to U.S. to include convertible, compact SUV, mid-size SUV

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has ambitious plans for Alfa Romeo’s return to the United States, a move that has been in the works since 2000, when General Motors and Fiat signed a joint venture that eventually fell apart. Marchionne says the wants to transform Alfa into a “full-line premium” automaker. The brand will make its full return to the United States in 2012. Fiat eventually wants North America to account for 85,000 units of Alfa’s 500,000 global sales by 2014. Last year, the brand sold 103,000 vehicles globally?

So what’s in the works for Alfa Romeo in the United States?

First and foremost, the Alfa Romeo MiTo will make it to the U.S. in 2013 – however, Alfa is currently working on a five-door variant of the three-door hatchback. Only the five-door will be imported to North America. The new Alfa Romeo Giulietta will come to North America when it is upgraded in 2014.

Alfa also plan on bringing the Giulia mid-size sedan and station wagon to the United States in late 2012. The North American version of the Giulia will be powered by Chrysler’ new Pentastar V6 and a 2.4L inline 4-cylinder from Fiat with MultiAir technology making 190-hp.

Also in the works is a convertible for 2013, a compact SUV for 2012 (based on Fiat’s Compact Wide platform) and a mid-size SUV for 2014. The mid-size SUV will be built by Chrysler and will be exported to Europe as well.

– By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)