Alfa Romeo Returns to U.S. in '07

TURIN — Alfa Romeo SpA again has postponed its long-awaited return to the U.S. market, this time from 2005 to 2007, due to dramatic changes in Alfa's future model program.

“Our idea now is to have a full range of cars, including a crossover model, when we return to America,” says new Alfa boss Daniele Ban-diera. “Looking at our business case, when we will have a full product range and distribution network, the most favorable time for Alfa is 2007.”

Under Bandiera, Alfa has thrown out the original proposal for a 156 replacement and is completely restyling Pininfarina SpA's Spider/GTV, the folding steel hardtop sports car once expected to take Alfa back to America.

Fiat Auto SpA's previous management gave the green light to a new, if evolutionary, replacement for the 156.

When he arrived in February, Bandiera quickly asked new Alfa design boss Wolfgang Egger to come up with a more radical proposal for the 156. He also insisted the Spider/GTV be restyled.

Bandiera says the so-called Premium platform, jointly developed with General Motors Corp., is completed, despite rumors that Saab Automobile AB is abandoning the platform.

“Alfa will use the platform for our D- and E-class cars (156 and 166 replacements),” says Bandiera.