Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and its predecessors have been promising for some time that Alfa Romeo would return to North America. But details as to when, how and in what markets have been elusive until now.
We still don't know exactly when, beyond sometime this summer, but we do know how and where.
The how is through existing Fiat and Maserati dealerships. The where is at 86 stores across the continent, including four in Canada. Specifically, they are:
> FIAT of Vancouver (dba Alfa Romeo of Vancouver), Vancouver, BC
> Maranello FIAT (dba Maranello Alfa Romeo), Vaughan, ON
> LaSalle FIAT (dba LaSalle Alfa Romeo) LaSalle, QC
> JD FIAT (dba JD Alfa Romeo), Boischatel, QC
The company says additional Alfa Romeo franchises will be awarded later this year with an ultimate goal of 300 or more stores in North America.
Each dealer will have staff dedicated to the brand’s premium market clientele, including sales and technical staff who've gone through an intensive training curriculum on customer care and proficiency.
The first vehicle to go on sale will be the Alfa Romeo 4C coupe, which made its Canadian debut last weekend as the official automotive sponsor of the15th Annual Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival in Montreal, held in conjunction with the Canadian Grand Prix.