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The electrification of cars is being delayed again, with Alfa Romeo becoming one of the latest brands to abandon its original plan to ditch internal combustion engines.
The Italian brand, part of the Stellantis automotive group, had intended to launch a fully electric vehicle in North America by 2027, but plans have changed. The new goal is to adopt a “multi-energy” strategy, offering gasoline, electric and hybrid vehicles.
Alfa Romeo North America chief Chris Fewell said it was impossible to force dealers to sell only electric vehicles: “We have 110 dealers… in our network in the U.S., and it would be very difficult for them to survive with a portfolio of only BEVs (battery electric vehicles).”
The company has enough problems, as U.S. sales fell 19% to 8865 vehicles last year.
It's worth noting that when Alfa Romeo initially announced its move to electric-only vehicles in North America, it also said it would do the same in Europe and China.
It's unclear whether the 2027 target will still apply in these regions. However, former CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato recently said Alfa could adopt a more diverse powertrain lineup while keeping gasoline engines if people want it.
Imparato said the company's new boss, Santo Ficili, "has the possibility" of releasing ICE versions for the successors to the Giulia and Stelvio. Both models will be based on the STLA Large platform, and as seen in the Dodge Charger, it is designed for both gasoline and electric powertrains. The crossover will arrive later this year, and the sedan in 2026.
