Alfa Romeo has the aim of reaching 300,000 sales a year by 2010. How? By working hard, and Luca De Meo, Alfa Romeo managing director, who you see in the 500 launch photo, has his head down to meet this target.

Phases of the ambitious aim include the return to the US market, which will be supported by the BMW group, and in particular the Mini network. De Meo has clear ideas on the portfolio to be offered to US customers, which surprisingly include a SUV.

Despite current trends away from sports utilities, the director has said that “offering an SUV in the US is fundamental in being recognised as a premium brand, even by customers uninterested in this vehicle and despite decreased sales”.

The Alfa sports utiltity hopes to attract customers through its start&stop system, a hybrid engine, its smaller size and a three door model in addition to the five door model.

For technical specs, the 159 will be borrowed, with its 2.2 and 3.2 litre V6 engines, and the 2.4 litre JTDm. While competing against the Mercedes GLK and the Audi Q5 is never going to be easy, expectations for the brand’s relaunch in the US are high.

Source | MotorAuthority