Alfa Romeo’s global expansion might be reduced as its parent reexamines the market in Asia, mainly China because of the Chinese market’s slowdown. Its CEO, Marchionne said the continued weakness of imported luxury vehicles in China had forced a reassessment of the strategy for this struggling iconic brand.
FIAT Chrysler who owns Alfa stands by its plan to boost Alfa’s annual global sales to 400,000 in 2018, the CEO said. But a large portion of the volume projection that had been assigned to China would have to be absorbed by other regions, including North America and Europe. Marchionne unveiled in May 2014 plans to invest 5 million euros in the Alfa new lineup which includes eight new models.
Alfa sold less than 70,000 cars last year, mostly in Europe. Its current lineup comprises two core models, the Giulietta compact and MiTo subcompact, along with the limited-production 4C sports car. The brand’s first new model will be the Giulia sedan. Giulia sales will start before the end of the year led by a high-specification Quadrifoglio launch edition that will start at 95,000 euros (About RM500k before taxes) in Italy.
