Alfa Romeo Gearing Up U.S. Return

Fiat’s Alfa Romeo division took a step closer to its return to the United States after registering the brand of its 4C compact sports car, the unit’s first model targeted for sale in the country in almost 20 years.

The Alfa Romeo 4C trademark, covering accessories such as clothing and toys as well as the vehicle and parts, was issued by U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on April 10, according to a release posted on the U.S. Federal News Service.

Fiat CEO Marchionne said April 4 that that the rear-wheel-drive coupe will go on sale in North America by the end of 2013.

Deliveries of the 4C, which will be built starting in May 2013 at a plant run by Fiat’s Maserati division in Modena, Italy, will begin in Europe in the second half of next year.