Alfa Romeo to Expand U.S. Dealer Network by One-Third

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV’s Alfa Romeo brand will add about 200 outlets to the 600 it already has in the U.S. as it prepares to ramp up sales for models delayed by technical problems, the company tells Bloomberg News.

Alfa has been selling tiny numbers of its $55,900 mid-engine 4C sports car in the U.S. since 2014. Next up will be the higher-volume Giulia midsize sedan, reportedly to be followed eventually by a large sedan and crossover.

But FCA has repeatedly postponed the Giulia’s debut. Bloomberg says the most recent delay is for three months to address unspecified adjustments to the car. The base Giulia will be priced in the U.S. at about $40,000, according to U.S. brand chief Reid Bigland. But he tells Bloomberg the first model offered will be the top-end, $70,000 Quadrifoglio performance edition.

FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne acknowledges the Giulia’s delayed launch will push back the timing for other Alfa models. Marchionne has been trying to revive the Alfa brand for years as part of an ambitious plan to quadruple FCA’s profits to €5 billion ($5.4 billion) by the end of 2018.