Alfa Romeo to Debut Two SUVs

Alfa Romeo, the Italian brand that hasn't produced a single SUV in its 100-year history, is now planning to refresh its product lineup with a major goal to achieve 500,000 units annual sales by 2014. According to Automotive News, the Italians are planning to debut two SUVs that are expected to generate sales of 80,000 to 100,000 units a year before 2015.

The first model will come in the form of a medium SUV due to arrive in 2012. Production will be transferred to Chrysler in the United States, but it will also be exported to Europe.

The second SUV whatsoever will be larger, but will also be manufactured by Fiat's American ally. Based on the upcoming Jeep Liberty replacement, scheduled for 2013, the large SUV will also be sold on European soil.

Although Sergio Marchionne, who's now CEO of the Fiat-Chrysler kingdom, seemed very confident that such a major sales goal can be achieved, Massimo Vecchio, head of industry research at Mediobanca in Milan, told the aforementioned source that Alfa may not succeed in the SUV market, a segment already dominated by BMW, Mercedes and Audi.

”With the new Giulietta (compact) Alfa has to repeat the success enjoyed by the 147 in its early years; while the new Giulia (mid-sized car) has to overcome the fiasco of the 159, which never even got close to sales of its predecessor, the 156,” he said.

However, Marchionne hopes Alfa's US return will have a major contribution to the brand he hopes to become a “full-line premium carmaker”. Alfa Romeo is projected to redebut in the United States after a 15-year absence in the last months of 2012, just after the company introduces the Giulia.