Photo: Alfa Romeo
At the present moment, Alfa Romeo is a struggling automaker with five models to its name: MiTo, Giulietta, Giulia, Stelvio, and the low-volume 4C mid-engine sports car. Care to guess which two of these five aren’t available in the U.S. of God bless America?
That’s right, dearest reader, the subcompact MiTo and compact Giulietta have no place in an automotive market as dynamic as the United States. Whereas the MiTo is simply too small, the Giulietta might have had a winning chance if the last five years didn’t saw such an improvement in the compact hatchback segment. With all due respect, the Giulietta doesn’t make sense in the U.S., not even after the 2016 mid-cycle refresh or in go-faster Veloce attire.
The European brother of the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200 won’t make an appearance at Alfa Romeo U.S. dealers anytime soon, whatever the rumor mill might be spewing out as of late. The reason some enthusiasts are bracing for the U.S.-spec Giulietta is a filing with the United States Patent & Trademark Office. Filed on May 25, 2017, trademark number 87464152 is for “Alfa 147.”
“Isn’t 147 the predecessor of the Giulietta?” It is, and in stark comparison to the current model, it could be had with the ultimate derivative of the Busso V6. Forum talk suggests Alfa Romeo wants to rename the Giulietta to 147 in the U.S. because the American public could find it troubling to pronounce the Italian name. And if you’re thinking what I’m thinking, that makes little sense.
The bottom line is, Alfa Romeo doesn’t have any incentive to bring the Giulietta over in the U.S. and replace the badge with 147. The untimely discontinuation of platform brother Dart and 200 serves as the primary reason why FCA can’t afford to make such a move. And in truth, Alfa Romeo still can’t hold its own unless FCA’s more profitable brands help it with cash.
As a side note, this is the third time 147 was filed with the USPTO.
The European brother of the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200 won’t make an appearance at Alfa Romeo U.S. dealers anytime soon, whatever the rumor mill might be spewing out as of late. The reason some enthusiasts are bracing for the U.S.-spec Giulietta is a filing with the United States Patent & Trademark Office. Filed on May 25, 2017, trademark number 87464152 is for “Alfa 147.”
“Isn’t 147 the predecessor of the Giulietta?” It is, and in stark comparison to the current model, it could be had with the ultimate derivative of the Busso V6. Forum talk suggests Alfa Romeo wants to rename the Giulietta to 147 in the U.S. because the American public could find it troubling to pronounce the Italian name. And if you’re thinking what I’m thinking, that makes little sense.
The bottom line is, Alfa Romeo doesn’t have any incentive to bring the Giulietta over in the U.S. and replace the badge with 147. The untimely discontinuation of platform brother Dart and 200 serves as the primary reason why FCA can’t afford to make such a move. And in truth, Alfa Romeo still can’t hold its own unless FCA’s more profitable brands help it with cash.
As a side note, this is the third time 147 was filed with the USPTO.
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