US presidential victory could change Alfa Romeo’s electric vehicle strategy

Alfa Romeo is waiting to see the outcome of the 2024 US election in November before deciding on its long-term product strategy, with the result threatening several models – including an electric fastback SUV.

Automotive News Europe reports Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato told media product plans may change if the Republican nominee, Donald Trump, takes office for a second time.

The Republican party has been opposed to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRL), California’s 2035 ban on the sale of new petrol/diesel internal-combustion-engine vehicles and has said it will look to nullify the Paris Climate Agreement.

Imparato said it would make sense for Alfa Romeo to offer an electric sports car, but the November election result could force a switch in strategy.

Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

“My gut would call for giving to Alfa an electric sports car similar to the [Ferrari] Purosangue [large SUV], but we also have to watch how geopolitics and global markets could evolve, eventually choosing a more Europe-oriented small hatchback,” Imparato told ANE.

The car maker will unveil its first electric vehicle – the . The car maker will unveil its first electric vehicle – the Alfa Romeo Milano city-sized electric SUV – on 10 April 2024, scheduled for European showrooms from September and yet to be confirmed for Australia." target="_blank" rel=«noreferrer noopener»>Alfa Romeo Milano city-sized electric SUV – on 10 April 2024, scheduled for European showrooms from September and yet to be confirmed for Australia.

In 2025 it plans to introduce the second-generation Alfa Romeo Stelvio mid-size SUV using the Stellantis STLA electric vehicle platform, with an electric Giulia mid-size sedan on the same underpinnings set for 2026.

Current plans include electric versions of the next Giulia large sedan and Stelvio medium luxury SUV, but an electric fastback SUV may be under threat if emissions regulations are softened – as planned by the former US President Trump’s troupe.

That includes the Republican party’s plan to remove incentives for car makers to sell electric vehicles as part of the Biden administration’s 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRL).

The IRL granted $US370 billion ($AU559