Alfa Romeo Sets Up Dealerships in 33 States

Things are getting pretty serious as it looks like Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will actually bring Alfa Romeo back to the United States. The company has set up 86 dealerships in 33 different states. Not that anyone should be shocked, but California will have a dozen dealers, followed by Texas with ten and Florida with nine. Before you start Googling where the nearest Alfa Romeo dealer is to your house, they won’t be opening until the latter part of 2014.

This constitutes just the first wave in the Italian brand’s return to America. The plan is to slowly grow the initial offering of dealerships to over 300. Starting off, the company is leveraging existing Fiat dealers as well as three Maserati retail locations. Four dealerships will be established in Canada as well.

For now, this sets up a dynamic of states that are haves and those that are have-nots. Surprisingly, Massachusetts is going to have to wait for an Alfa Romeo dealership of its own, while states like Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee will be receiving one each as part of the initial wave.

Before anyone gets too smug about where the new dealerships are going, there is one other important piece of news about the return of Alfa Romeo. The 4C is porking up during its long trek across the Atlantic Ocean, packing on an additional 342 pounds. The reason for the weight gain is the more stringent crash test requirements in the States as well as improved emissions equipment. On top of that, Alfa Romeo figures Americans want some amenities not offered as standard equipment in Europe, like air conditioning and a radio. Apparently Europeans like to sweat and sing to themselves while driving. Even with the improvements to the Alfa Romeo 4C, moving the driver’s seat either up or down requires owners to unbolt it first, which is hardly luxurious or even common on this side of the pond. Still, the mid-engine exotic promises some incredible performance for a relative bargain, making it easier to forgive such quirks.