Future large Alfa SUV: dead.
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A few years ago, after spending a billion Euros on the development of the Stelvio and Giulia, Alfa-Romeo had its eye on a full lineup. One that included larger models like a BMW X5 competitor and even a larger sedan.
The brand’s new CEO, Santo Ficili, just mentioned these future models would never see the light of day. “Large cars are not the brand’s territory,” he says. Of course, with abysmal sales numbers, who would actually spend all that cash developing even larger and more expensive models that no one might actually buy?
The next-generation Stelcio and Giulia are late, and the current models will be produced until 2027. Since Alfa is transitioning from an all-EV future to a more moderate “EV/Hybrid/Gas” approach.
While sales in Europe have actually benefited a bit better lately, US numbers are really, really bad. With a total of just 8,868 cars sold last year. And under 4800 so far this year. That’s for the whole brand! The compact new Alfa Junior has been doing surprisingly OK in Europe, but it’s not on sale over here.
Back in the Sergio Marchionne days, these future larger Alfa-Romeo models were part of a big North American push for the brand. Giving up on these and pushing the next Giulia/Stelvio by 2 years will probably be catastrophic for Alfa in the US.
It makes you wonder when they will announce a total withdrawal from the North American market.
All of the woes Stellantis is experiencing across all their brands goes down to the arrogance of one person, former CEO Carlos Tavares. Instead its all EV Dodge, no products for Chrysler, generic Jeeps, cookie cutter Euro brands, missed the hybrid option which anyone could have seen coming. What did they think people living in apartments would do? Or condos without garages? Or those who travel longer distances in cold climates? There’s sufficient reason for them to have considered a multi phased approach… and they didn’t. Tavares sold the Board of Directors a line of BS to get big payouts, and ended up sinking most of their brands into finacial desperation. I’m not surprised products are being cancelled. The question is why is do-nothing go-along useless CEO Christine Feuell still in charge of Chrysler?