Alfa to target Mini with new compact car

Hitherto, Mini has just started rolling on the streets and Alfa gears up to compete with it. Just we gals can’t stand anyone superior to us reigning our territory, Alpha Romeo is all set to chase Mini Cooper. Alfa Romeo will build a new car to compete with the Mini Cooper S, according to an automotive trade newspaper. The move is part of a plan to reach financial break-even, the report said. The introduction of such a mainstream model will bring global sales to 300,000 units, the Italian automaker hopes. Dubbed the "Junior," the three-door hatchback will arrive by 2008.

It will use the Fiat Grande Punto platform and will slot below the 148 (the replacement to the 147). Alfa currently sells only125, 00 units annually; hoping the Junior will more than double its overall volume. We wonder if the new compact car will be among Alfa's U.S. offerings when the brand returns to America in 2009.
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