Stellantis' Alfa Romeo plans launch of new mid-sized SUV by end 2027

MILAN, July 14 (Reuters) - Stellantis' premium brand Alfa Romeo will launch the first of its planned new models by the end of next year, the automaker's head for Europe, Emanuele Cappellano, said on Tuesday at an auto representative meeting at Italy's Industry Ministry.

The new model, a mid-sized SUV, will be produced at Stellantis' Melfi plant in southern Italy.   

• As part of the new Stellantis business plan, Alfa Romeo will launch a further new model, described as a C-segment hatchback, by 2030, based on the automaker's STLA One new modular platform

• Alfa Romeo's existing lineup also includes the Junior compact SUV, for which it plans a revamped version, and the Tonale mid-sized SUV, due to be replaced by the new model expected in 2027

• The brand is still assessing options for future large-sized models, while keeping the old Giulia and Stelvio, which currently cover Alfa's offering in this segment, in production until 2027

• Stellantis is developing new batteries at its Mirafiori plant in Turin to make the electric Fiat 500 city car "even more competitive and attractive" in 2027, Cappellano was quoted as saying by a Stellantis spokesman

• The new generation of Fiat 500, also to be manufactured in Mirafiori, is expected from 2030, he added

• Cappellano said Stellantis, luxury sportscar maker Ferrari and truckmaker Iveco, backed by the Anfia auto lobby group, had asked the EU Commission to classify them as energy-intensive companies

• That would make them eligible for a range of support measures

(Reporting by Giulio PiovaccariEditing by Keith Weir)