Fiat Group subsidiary, Alfa Romeo is moving towards an all rear-wheel drive line up soon, according to a report from the UK based Car magazine. The news claims that the company will soon discontinue the Mito hatchback and the Giulietta premium hatchback both of which are front-wheel drive and switch to rear-wheel drive models by 2015.
The first model to roll out based on this new philosophy is likely to be a luxury sedan competing with the 3 Series, and will be followed by a larger 5 Series competitor. The company also plans to introduce a new SUV; a first from the Alfa Romeo stable. This will imply that the company is moving away from the small car segment and re focusing their market reach.
This change in strategy is what is preventing Alfa Romeo from re-introducing the brand in countries like the US. The move is meant to bring Alfa Romeo closer to Maserati who are also set to introduce the Lavente SUV by 2015. If the news of the re alignment is true, it will most likely be a Fiat strategy to have a footing at more tiers in the auto market. With Ferrari at the top of the realm followed by Maserati, realigning Alf Romeo will mean that it will then sit between Maserati and Fiat in the market hierarchy.
