Future Alfa Romeo Lineup Adapts to Changing American Tastes
As more American drivers choose SUVs and crossovers over sedans, Alfa Romeo is reportedly changing up its future lineup to better suit this growing trend
Future Alfas might have more in common with the Stelvio than the Giulia
The introduction of the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio to American audiences earlier this year marked the brand’s official return to the U.S. Of course, if Alfa really wants to thrive in the American market, then it will assuredly need more than three vehicles in its lineup.
Alfa Romeo reportedly had a pretty stable schedule laid out for its American operations. Still, the decline in sales for sedans and the rise of crossovers and SUVs might alter those plans in a number of ways.
The first of several upcoming vehicles making their way to the Alfa lineup is a midsize coupe derived from the Giulia. This model is set to arrive sometime in late 2018.
Reports suggest that Alfa Romeo was also developing a larger sedan for its lineup, based upon the Giulia as well. Still, with the declining market outlook for larger sedans, plans for this model have been delayed until at least 2021.
To adapt to America’s changing automotive outlook, Alfa is allegedly working to create a large crossover with the same underpinnings as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. Unlike some of Alfa’s other rumored vehicles, this crossover does not have a projected release date.
Due to the fact that Alfa just recently introduced the new Giulia and Stelvio models, they are not due for refreshes until 2020 at the earliest. The situation is similar for the Alfa Romeo 4C, which is not currently scheduled for any changes in the near future.
As for the possibility of a compact sedan or hatchback from the Alfa brand, the outlook seems unlikely. Alfa Romeo head Reid Bigland stated while such models are important for the European market, they are not nearly as popular in the American and Chinese markets, the areas where Alfa Romeo is looking to expand into.
News Source: Automotive News (subscription required)
The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.