Alfa Romeo Junior may be introduced in the U.S.
Alfa Romeo's electric crossover vehicle, the Junior, may be introduced in the U.S., contrary to initial plans, Automotive News Europe reports.
The brand's first EV, the Junior, was unveiled in April as the Milano, but Alfa Romeo quickly changed the name due to an Italian law prohibiting the use of Italian city names for products made in other countries, in this case Poland.
At the time, Alfa Romeo said it had no plans to bring the crossover to the U.S., but now it plans to display it at dealers in the U.S. to generate interest, product director Daniel Tiago Guzzafame told Automotive News Europe. Therefore, even if the Junior makes it to the U.S., it may not be sold in all 50 states
According to Automotive News Europe, the version being considered for the U.S. is the Junior Veloce, an all-electric model with 281 horsepower, 0-62 mph acceleration of 5.9 seconds and a top speed of over 124 mph. The Veloce has not yet been officially evaluated, but Alfa Romeo reportedly expects a WLTP range of 205 miles from the 54 kwh battery pack it shares with other electric junior models. At 164 inches long, it is about 14 inches shorter than the Alfa Romeo Tonale, a plug-in hybrid compact crossover that is currently Alfa Romeo's smallest U.S. model.
Alfa Romeo currently sells the Junior Veloce in Italy for 52,000 euros including shipping and 22% VAT, which according to Automotive News Europe is equivalent to a US price of $42,000. While the actual U.S. price may vary, the trade publication notes that the Junior will be subject to lower tariffs than the other premium small EVs built in China, the electric 2025 Mini Cooper and Volvo EX30. These tariffs are 102.5%, compared to 2.5% for the Polish-built Junior.
Even if the Junior does not make it to the U.S., we will likely see Alfa Romeo EVs in the U.S. in the near future. Alfa Romeo plans to offer an electric vehicle option on every car it launches this decade, including the redesigned Stelvio in 2025 and the redesigned Giulia in 2026. Also in 2027, a midsize SUV will debut, the last of Alfa Romeo's main lineup.
