Another Delay in Alfa Romeo’s New-Model Launches

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV is again delaying plans to revive its Alfa Romeo brand with new models, supplier sources tell Automotive News Europe.

The online newspaper says FCA now intends to debut its midsize Giulia Quadrifoglio high-performance sedan next summer, six months later than previously scheduled. And a crossover variant of the Giulia has been pushed back nine months to early 2017.

ANE’s sources say the Quadrifoglio has been delayed by the need for last-minute adjustments in safety and ride characteristics.

Last month CEO Sergio Marchionne told analysts the company will allocate fewer Alfas to China and more to Europe and the U.S.—and adjust the sequencing of models to reflect the tastes of those markets. Marchionne reiterates the company’s aim to multiply worldwide Alfa sales to 400,000 units by 2018 from fewer than 70,000 last year.