Alfa Romeo 159 Replacement Delayed

The Fiat-Chrysler partnership is causing a lot of strategic realignment at Fiat. Never is that more evident than at the Alfa Romeo brand, which Fiat intends to make a triumphant return to the U.S market.

The plan is for it to compete in the luxury category against brands like BMW and Audi. To do that though, Alfa Romeo needs the right product for our market - product that will sell and make money.

That's the Milano shown above caught inside a factory, not the 149 replacement. Importing cars over from Italy is not a very good business proposition these days. That's what Chrysler's plants are for, after all! On a side note, it is interesting that the U.S is looking more and more attractive as a place for manufacturers to build their cars. That’s a good thing - we need a robust manufacturing base.

The most recent news to come from Alfa Romeo has been rumors about the 166 executive sedan being produced in North America. If Alfa Romeo head Sergio Cravero's comments are any indication (and they usually are) it seems as if the 159 replacement could follow suit.

The car, dubbed Guilia (Alfa Romeo is bringing back real names), is supposedly being delayed until 2012, until production on our continent can be arranged. My only question is - with all this product resuffling and delaying, is there going to be any product around for the rumored Alfa Romeo re-launch in 2011? That date could end up getting pushed back as well.