Chrysler Chooses Alfa Romeo Dealers for N. America

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV has selected the first 86 dealers to sell vehicles in the U.S. and Canada for the company's relaunched Alfa Romeo brand.

The new dealers already represent the company's Fiat or Maserati brands. Four dealerships are in Canada, and 82 are scattered across 33 U.S. states. Fiat Chrysler expects to grant more franchises this year and eventually establish a North American network of more than 300 outlets.

Alfa exited the American market 19 years ago. It has been selling small quantities of its $240,000 8C Competizione supercars in the region through Maserati dealers since 2008. This year's higher-volume debut will be led by the all-new 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C coupe and special 4C Launch Edition.

Alfa's return has been promised since 2003 and repeatedly delayed as Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne tweaked new-model designs, finalized the Fiat-Chrysler merger and awaited favorable market conditions.

Marchionne has vowed to invest $6.8 billion to add new Alfa models and multiply the brand's sales volume, which slumped to 74,000 units in 2013, by a factor of five in four years.