Production delays expected for key Alfa Romeos

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has been no stranger to controversy in the last few months, and now it is facing production delays for two key new models.

The much-anticipated Giulia Quadrifoglio, the performance flagship that will introduce the reborn Giulia nameplate, was originally slated for a late-2015 European on-sale, however two suppliers have informed industry journal Automotive News Europe that delays have pushed that timing out by at least six months.

Additionally, an SUV – the brand's first and based on the Giulia platform – will not be seen until early-2017, nine months after the planned date.

The suppliers suggest that the Giulia QV delay is due to Alfa conducting final analysis on safety and ride characteristics.

This also affects the Giulia's volume offerings, which include new 2.0-litre petrol and 2.2-litre diesel variants. Originally intended for Euro markets in March 2016, they have now been held over until 'late-2016', according to the suppliers.

The delays could set back the iconic Italian brand's stated aim to deliver eight new models and global sales of 400,000 units by 2018, with forecasting firm IHS Automotive predicting a 2018 sales figure of just over 230,000 units, or just 57.5 per cent of the original aim.

Brand CEO Sergio Marhionne had originally suggested around 20 per cent of that 400,000 target would come from China, but Alfa Romeo has still not expanded into the world's largest car market as FCA comes to terms with Maserati's falling sales in China. No date for Alfa's Chinese introduction has been set, with Marchionne recently saying that the initial Chinese projection amount would have to be absorbed by Euro and North American markets.