Alfa Romeo Considers U.S. Launch for Junior Veloce EV
New Small Electric Hatchback Could Tap into Key Markets with Lower Tariff Advantages...
Alfa Romeo is considering bringing its all-new, all-electric subcompact Junior crossover, to the United States. The automaker has plans to consult with its U.S. dealers to determine the potential market interest in states such as California and Florida.
Daniel Tiago Guzzafame, Head of Product at Alfa Romeo, announced in July that the company would showcase its top-of-the-line Junior Veloce to its U.S. dealers. The Italian brand aims to find out if there is demand for a fun, small electric vehicle (EV) in key markets, particularly those following California’s strict emissions rules, also known as CARB states.
Pricing for the Junior Veloce has not been disclosed, however, in Italy, it starts at €48,000 (approximately $52,000 including shipping and sales tax). This could translate to around $42,000 in the U.S., excluding shipping costs.
One of the significant advantages the Junior Veloce holds over competitors like the Mini Cooper and Volvo EX30 is its lower tariff. While these rivals face a 102.5% import duty as they are built in China, the Junior Veloce, manufactured in Poland, is subject to only a 2.5% duty for vehicles imported from the European Union.
However, this price advantage might be temporary. Volvo plans to start producing the EX30 in Belgium next year, and Mini will begin U.K. production of the Cooper in 2026. Despite this, Guzzafame believes Alfa Romeo could benefit from a “window of opportunity” in the U.S. market.
Alfa Romeo sales in the U.S. have been lackluster. Currently, the brand is made up of three vehicles consisting of the Giulia, Stelvio, and the Tonale. The Tonale sales, which have been canbialized by its Dodge Hornet twin, has not been the sales success the brand was hoping for. As the Hornet gets two distinct powertrains, while the Tonale is only sold as a PHEV.
Alfa Romeo’s sales in the first half of 2024 were modest, totaling just 4,777 units. In contrast, other premium European brands had significantly higher sales figures in the U.S. market during the same period. Mercedes-Benz sold 178,000 vehicles, BMW delivered 175,000 units, and Audi reported 93,000 sales.
The subcompact Junior Veloce is constructed on Stellantis’ eCMP2 platform, which accommodates electric, gasoline, and hybrid powertrains. This platform is also used by the B-segment Jeep® Avenger and Fiat 600, both of which are not currently slated for sale in the United States.
The Junior Veloce stands out with its 281 horsepower e-motor, developed by Stellantis and Japanese supplier Nidec, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 5.9 seconds and reach a top speed of over 124 mph. It features a 54 kWh battery, promising a range of about 205 miles under Europe’s WLTP standards. In contrast, the standard Junior, with a 156 horsepower motor, accelerates to 62 mph in 9 seconds, tops out at 93 mph, and has a range of 255 miles.
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