Alfa Romeo Headed For U.S. in 2009; Fiat Head to Step Down

But First Snide's Remarks: I have just returned from a few week trip to Italy and along with thoughts of good food came the thought as to why Alpha was not available here in the States... throughout my stay in Italy the Alpha Romeo Spider turned my head and added another beat to my heart...msnide@theautochannel.com

Washington DC November 9, 2006; The AIADA newsletter reported that on Thursday, Fiat SpA CEO Sergio Marchionne announced he will step down as the leader of the company's automaking unit next year and that his successor would come from within the company, reports The Associated Press.

Marchionne, the engineer of Fiat's turnaround, has been the head of the company's auto division since February 17, 2005. "I think there is sufficient talent on this podium and in this organization. I wouldn't hire on the outside," Marchionne told analysts at a presentation of the group's business plan for 2007-2010. No reason was reported for his departure.

The Italian company also said Thursday it would launch the Alfa Romeo brand in the U.S. market in Q3 of 2009 and aimed to have 20,000 unit sales in that market by 2010.

The company said U.S. sales would help Alfa Romeo as it worked to reached 300,000 units in sales for that year. Fiat expects its total car sales to advance to 2.4 million units a year by 2010 from 1.5 million in 2006.