Alfa Romeo sets return to U.S. with 4C trademark
#1
04-21-2012, 04:07 PM
Alfa Romeo sets return to U.S. with 4C trademark Alfa Romeo sets return to U.S. with 4C trademark
MILAN (Bloomberg) -- 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.
Fiat, which plans to make 2,500 4Cs a year, showed a concept version of the car last year at the Geneva auto show.
Fiat has a target of more than doubling Alfa sales to about 400,000 vehicles in 2014 from 150,000 in 2011 with six new models, including sedans and sport-utility vehicles, according to a September presentation.
The 4C is part of a revamp of Alfa Romeo that will include the new Giulia sedan, which will be based on the Dodge Dart platform of Fiat-controlled Chrysler Group for a lineup developed and made in the U.S. starting in 2014, according to a person familiar with the matter.
In Europe, the 4C will be priced at about 50,000 euros ($66,000), company sources told Automotive News Europe. There is no word yet on U.S. pricing.
Fiat's growth strategy is centered on Alfa and Chrysler tightening cooperation.
The production version of the two-seat 4C may be displayed at the 2013 Geneva car show, said the person, who declined to be named as the plan is private.
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.
Fiat, which plans to make 2,500 4Cs a year, showed a concept version of the car last year at the Geneva auto show.
Fiat has a target of more than doubling Alfa sales to about 400,000 vehicles in 2014 from 150,000 in 2011 with six new models, including sedans and sport-utility vehicles, according to a September presentation.
The 4C is part of a revamp of Alfa Romeo that will include the new Giulia sedan, which will be based on the Dodge Dart platform of Fiat-controlled Chrysler Group for a lineup developed and made in the U.S. starting in 2014, according to a person familiar with the matter.
In Europe, the 4C will be priced at about 50,000 euros ($66,000), company sources told Automotive News Europe. There is no word yet on U.S. pricing.
Fiat's growth strategy is centered on Alfa and Chrysler tightening cooperation.
The production version of the two-seat 4C may be displayed at the 2013 Geneva car show, said the person, who declined to be named as the plan is private.
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#3
04-21-2012, 05:40 PM
Well, I'll believe it when I see it. We've been promised the arrival of Alfa for awhile. Also the 4C looks nice, but at the likely price point they'll probably be bumping square into the low end of Lotus and I don't know that they'll win that matchup.
#4
04-21-2012, 08:55 PM
I hope they do return to stateside, I hope they'll bring the Giulietta, Mito, 159 and the Quadrifoglio Verde here too!
