Alfa Giulia coming to America sans MiTo, Milano?
Following the confirmation of Chrysler's tie-in with the Fiat group, images began swirling around our imaginations of the imminent arrival of Alfa Romeo models current and future. That may, according to reports emerging from Italy, prove a little premature. (It happens to lots of guys, we hear). Because while the itty-bitty Fiat 500 is anticipated to hit Chrysler dealers in the near future, the venture may leave the smaller Alfas behind.A new Alfa Romeo flagship sedan to succeed the discontinued 166 is reportedly planned for North American production, and the Giulia sedan expected to replace the current 159 around 2012 is expected to be on offer Stateside as well. But if the latest reports prove accurate, the current MiTo and its upcoming five-door counterpart, the Milano, could be left back in the Old Country when the Italian family sails for America.
[Source: Motorionline via eurocarblog]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
hoov23 9:07AM (10/05/2009)
That's really unfortunate for us enthusiasts, we'll be missing out on some really fun cars. I'm sure they have their reasons backed up by their numbers (and automakers have never been let down by boardroom number crunching, right?), but it seems to this observer that small cars are starting to gain a foothold in the US, and the Alfa brand has a reputation for fun, unique cars of smaller stature. It's hard to imagine the MiTo and Milano not selling excellently, while Aveos and Yarises and similar carp cars are everywhere.
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cdwrx 2:39PM (10/05/2009)
It is initially unfortunate, but I think they're making the right long term decision. This is a golden opportunity for Alfa to make a second first impression. I don't think they want people thinking they're a small hatchback company. It would be better to establish themselves as a premium brand and sell down to the MiTo then try to sell up from it. Consider the difficulty MINI would have selling a premium sedan (brand name notwithstanding) now that they've so firmly established their small car identity.
Alexander Brown 9:28AM (10/05/2009)
I'd like to point out that the Giulia is not the 5dr counterpart of the MiTo (which is based on the Fiat Punto segment B) but a 5 door replacement for the 147 which is segment C
Is it possible that Fiat/Chrysler can not produce all of the Alfa range in the US, and the prosect of importing the smaller models from Europe would push their ticket prices to high in the US to make the plausible. There is more of a profit margin on the larger models.
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Kelah 9:32AM (10/05/2009)
So what they have a history of doing well, ie small sporty cars will be left behind and we will get the cars that alfa has had limited success doing we are going to get here .
I have owned a 164 which was not a bad car, but If I hadn't owned a GTV, several spiders and GTV-6's I would not have given it a second look. I think the Italians are going to really screw this up.
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jamie 11:48AM (10/05/2009)
They already have screwed it up.
Marchionne has split the Dodge brand in two, and now there is another brand called Dodge Ram. Stupid idea.
Furthermore, Marchionne was pushing Alfa as a Dodge partner, when actually Chrysler is a much better fit. That way Chrysler can move upscale with entirely different vehicles from Dodge. The international image of Alfa Romeo will go a long way in establishing Chrysler as an upscale brand.
It's obvious any new Alfa 166 or 169 will need a much larger power plant to compete favorably with the Teutonic Trio (BMW, Mercedes and Audi). A four cylinder turbo just will not do! So, I can see an Alfa sheet metal covering a Chrysler 300 undercarriage. A HEMI? Not sure about that though. I prefer Dodge hangs onto all of those.
Now, the reason we aren't getting the 147 or 159 is because they have to be transferred to RWD first. That will take a little more time.
Avinash machado 9:33AM (10/05/2009)
This is the comments section,not the spamming section.
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HotRodzNKustoms 9:33AM (10/05/2009)
I think the decision is more aimed at establishing image than America's hate of premium small cars. You have to remember an entire generation has gone by with Alfa absent in the US market. It's easier for an automaker to sell the small stuff once they've established the image with the large stuff than it is to sell the large stuff after establishing image with the small stuff.
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David 9:51AM (10/05/2009)
From my perspective, excluding the MiTo, means that "Alfa" is excluded from any consideration of mine, regardless of what they bring here. I have no interest in their big sedans. Big mistake on their part, if you ask me!
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letsgetspocked 10:04AM (10/05/2009)
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
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aliasfox 10:22AM (10/05/2009)
If the Giula's C segment, I don't know what you guys are complaining about. Very few locations in the US can effectively take advantage of a B-segment's smaller size when it comes to parking, and when it comes to fuel economy, B-segment isn't necessarily better than C-segment - consider the Fit vs the Civic, for example.
If the premium US A-segment is monopolized by the Smart, the B-segment dominated by the Mini, it might make sense to gun for the premium C-segment, where there really isn't an urban-chic leader right now. Golf, A3, C30, 1-series have all failed to capture the public's imagination, so it would be easier to be "the car" for that segment.
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David 4:21PM (10/05/2009)
I live in the part of the country that DOES demand the smallest cars possible because parallel parking and tiny streets are a way of life here. I consider the Mazda3 hatch or the Toyota Matrix to be a bit large [seriously!]. People who buy big cars where I live are extremely foolish.
So, as you suggest, we don't live in a homogeneous country, and so you shouldn't presume that we shouldn't mind a c-segment car in place of a b-segment. As much as I love the MINI (I have one), I don't like the idea of it being my only choice.
aliasfox 4:34PM (10/05/2009)
More smaller cars are definitely good, but I'd rather Alfa come back with a product that's 'relevant' to more of the country - what would be a bigger shame is if Alfa came back with a product that didn't sell well, decides that the US isn't ready for it, and pulls out again. I think a C-segment vehicle would be able to secure a much better foothold than a B-segment.
Of course, all of this isn't to say that Alfa/FIAT shouldn't import their B-segment vehicles - once they're established and are able to take risks, that is. Aiming for a market with one 'name brand' is very difficult to do successfully - think Windows, iPod, or Google, for example. Smart and Mini fit into that category of mindset, if not dominance.
Subarunotsogood 10:25AM (10/05/2009)
Alfa was supposed to be here in '07 with this and that. Then it was "soon", every two weeks it's something new and counter to the week prior. I am starting to lose interest anyway. Next leaked article will be an entry level 8C.
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travisty 11:26AM (10/05/2009)
Wow, sounds like a great idea Fiat/Alfa/Chrysler... Since Chrysler doesn't have any small cars (worthwhile, anyway) it makes perfect sense to omit any small offerings from our new European overlords other than the 500. No small cars from Chrysler + no small cars from Alfa = Success (where success is a car line of bloated, heavy cars that ensures the brand of slowing fading into obscurity...)
Or something like that.
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P.V. 5:45PM (10/05/2009)
I'm excited about the Giulia, but disappointed to hear the awesome MiTo and Milano won't show up.
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erinmist 10:26PM (10/05/2009)
My understanding is that all of the cars not coming to the U.S. are not doing so because they would be prohibitively expensive to Federalize and certify. It goes beyond crash standards. The MiTo for example, would require an entirely new wiring harness, and the associated tooling and assembly line changes. Better to wait for the next gen models and get it all right. The wait won't be that long, but for Fiat, the dollars saved would be huge.
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Peter Rockwell 2:27PM (10/06/2009)
Perhaps I'm stuck in some past-life fantasy land, but to me, Alfa made its name with the American public with the Giulietta/Giulia, Duetto/Spider and GTV. I should think that they'd want to capitalize on that and bring in a sports car. Something along the lines of a Boxster or TT. It's not like that segment is crowded, even if it is a more limited market than the jamb-packed sports sedan segment.
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