Alfa Romeo’s Canadian Return Delayed?

Along with the return of Fiat, most Canadians are eagerly awaiting the return of another Italian brand: Alfa Romeo. However it seems we will have to wait a bit longer because reports are now surfacing suggesting it will be delayed. Alfa Romeo was originally slated to return to Canada in the fall of 2012.

The report is now pegging Alfa’s return sometime in 2013 citing production and styling conflicts. It seems CEO Sergio Marchionne (the man we all have to thank for bringing the brands back in the first place and for making Chrylser way less embarrassing) does not like the new styling direction of the Giulietta – the car that’s supposed to replace the ridiculous Dodge Avenger and the recently restyled (but still terrible) Chrysler Sebring (now known as the 200). This inevitably means a delay for those vehicles as well when they come to the end of their cycles.

But this doesn’t just affect us Canadians. Since the Giulietta is currently sold in Europe and Marchionne wants to make it a global car, that means Europe will have to make due a gap in the lineup until designers can come up with something that pleases their seemingly anal boss. But hey, it’s better to have a delay to make sure you come up with the best product rather than rushing it. Chrysler can speak to experience with that.

[Auto News]

Alfa Romeo Giulietta Coming in 2012 As A Dodge

Beggers can’t be choosers I guess.

It would’ve been amazing to have the Alfa Romeo Giulietta in its current form, but apparently North Americans will have to settle for a Dodge version. It’s probably because the vomit inducing Caliber is scheduled to end its 5 year cycle in 2011. It will be officially dicontinued next year, so something needs to replace it and the Giulietta is a good fit.

As long as Chrysler doesn’t Americanize the design too much, it shouldn’t be too bad. Like I said, we’re lucky we’re getting the Giulietta at all.

We should also consider ourselves lucky as this likely won’t be the only Alfa to grace our shores as Fiat head Sergio Marchionne has promised at least 20% Italian influence into the faultering Chrysler brand.

Marchionne is also a Canadian, so thankfully he’s hooking us up with some sweet Euro product. Maybe we’ll even see some Canada only models? One would hope.

[USA Today]

Welcome Back! Alfa Romeo Returning to Canada

Alfa Romeo left our market back in 1995 and mostly every car obsessed Canadian has felt something lacking in their lives ever since.

Alfa’s are traditionally quirky cars that never start, always break down and make you want to bludgeon it with a bat by the end of the day. BUT, they are such amazing high spirited cars, that most are willing to put up with all the problems. Afterall, a true petrol head doesn’t let something silly like reliability affect their car buying decisions, that would be way too sensible.

On top of that, they are achingly pretty, with the prettiest being the 8C you see pictured above.

So, when will we be able to find ourselves at a local Alfa dealer? Find out after the jump.

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