Alfa Romeo, please build this concept roadster...
If you’re hounding your local Chrysler dealer, asking when you can put money down on an Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan, I’ve got bad news for you: you won’t be driving an Alfa in 2012, at least not in the United States. The storied brand’s return to the United States market has been delayed by at least six months, which pushes it back to mid-2013 unless further delays are encountered. The holdup appears to be the design of the new Giulia, which Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has expressed his displeasure with. While the Alfa engineers go back to their drawing boards (monitors, actually), Chrysler engineers are being told to rework the next generation of Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger, which will share platforms with the new Giulia.
If all goes well, expect to see a Giulia sedan, a 4C sports coupe and an Alfa Romeo SUV based on the next generation Jeep Liberty / Compass by the end of 2013. There’s a chance that we could also get a wagon version of the Giulia platform, although European manufacturers tend to believe that wagons won’t sell in the United States. Personally, I’m holding out hope that Alfa builds a two seat roadster for the U.S. market, like the 2uettottanta Concept pictured above and shown at last year’s Geneva Motor Show.
Source: The Torque Report
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
