NAC: Alfa Romeo returning to US

[Martin Suryadarma]

Sorry if this is old news for you guys.....

News from Autonews.com
http://www.autonews.com/html/main/stories/alfa129.htm

Jan. 29, 2001  

Cadillac, Saab dealers will get Alfa 

 
DIANA T. KURYLKO 
Automotive News 

BRUSSELS, Belgium  Alfa Romeos return to the U.S. market will begin in the
2005 model year at selected Cadillac and Saab dealerships and possibly
could include Chevrolet, Pontiac and Buick stores, a senior Fiat Auto
executive disclosed here last week.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the executive confirmed that the
next-generation Spider roadster will be the first Alfa to arrive in U.S.
dealerships. It will be followed a few years later by the next mid-sized
Alfa 156 and the range-topping 166 luxury sedan, he said.

Alfas intent to bring back the Spider to the United States in 2004 or 2005
has been known and widely reported. But his remarks about distribution and
new models represent a distinct firming of Fiats plans for the sporty Alfa
marque, which withdrew from the American market in 1995 because of poor
sales.

Alfas access to GM dealerships comes from parent Fiat Autos relationship
with the U.S. company. GM and Fiat own stakes in each other and are
cooperating on new-model development.

American dealers will be chosen by location and their ability to handle a
three-car Alfa Romeo range in the coming years, the source said. The major
push will be on the two coasts, but Alfa also is seeking dealers in Texas
and some neighboring states, he said.

Alfa Romeo has targeted first-year Spider sales of between 8,000 and
10,000 units.