Alfa Romeo Product Launches Getting Back On Track

2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia (Credit: Alfa Romeo )

In case you don’t recall, Alfa Romeo is ramping up to unleash hell on the North American market. The Italians have said they plan on releasing eight all-new models by 2020. But that plan has been viewed skeptically by many, especially considering the delays with the Giulia.

After a six-month delay getting the Giulia out the door, Alfa Romeo says everything should go smoothly from here on out. You know, because the company has a solid reputation for product launches.

Among the good news is that the Giulia will likely start production in the summer. That means it should be arriving in the US and Canada sometime in the fall. Once it does, the car could give the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and others a real run for their market share, even if that seems like a longshot right now.

There’s bad news as well, including information that’s making people doubt Alfa Romeo can genuinely deliver. Automotive News uncovered that the Giulia’s delay has been all about safety, after the sedan completely failed all initial crash tests.

One of the many areas where BMW, Mercedes, Audi and other competitors excel is safety. People who buy those types of cars expect they’re safe. If Alfa Romeo isn’t able to fix the problem completely, it could stall out the brand’s glorious storming of the North American market. That’s why the Giulia launch date has been pushed back about 6 months.

The next Alfa Romeo that’s slated for release is an unnamed midsize SUV, which is supposed to launch not too long after the Giulia hits the market. The Italians certainly know which market segments are popular when it comes to premium vehicles, and intend to make a big splash.

At this point, it’s fair to really question if Alfa Romeo has what it takes to not only create exciting cars and SUVs, but ensure they won’t crumple like paper in an accident. That kind of reputation would probably stall out the brand’s return to North America in a hurry, so hopefully the issues with the Giulia will be completely resolved.