Alfa Romeo has unveiled adjustments to its 2025 lineup, which at first glance may seem minor. However, a closer examination of the company's sales data in the US market raises concerns about the brand's stability. The lineup still includes the Tonale, Stelvio, and Giulia, but without the Stelvio Ti, Tonale Sprint, or Giulia Veloce. All trim levels have been scrapped, leaving just a single, unnamed 'core' version for each model. From this base, customers can select from various packages, such as the Veloce pack, which includes features like red brake calipers, sport seats, and a Veloce badge. Technological enhancements are now part of an Assist package, and other previously standard features are now optional.
According to Alfa Romeo's press releases, the trimming of trims aims to streamline the ordering process for buyers. However, this could potentially complicate matters as customers navigate through multiple packages and options. We reached out to Alfa Romeo for further clarification and will update this article if new details emerge. Additionally, we inquired whether Alfa Romeo's sales performance in 2024 influenced this decision. The Italian brand has struggled despite a modest 2% year-over-year increase in sales during the first half of this year, largely due to the Tonale's performance. With only 1,615 units sold by June, the Tonale lags far behind competitors like BMW's X1, which sold 11,617 units, and Audi's Q3, with 14,321 sales. Even the Dodge Hornet, essentially a Tonale with a Dodge badge, managed 11,718 sales.
In fact, every Tonale competitor outsold all Alfa Romeo models combined in the first half of the year. Sales of the Giulia have declined by 29%, and the Stelvio by 32%. As of July 1, Alfa Romeo sold 4,777 vehicles in the US, and the introduction of a new Tributo Italiano special edition, an appearance package for 2025, is unlikely to significantly boost sales. When automakers simplify trim levels, it often signals the impending cancellation of a model or the end of a generation. While Stellantis has pledged not to discontinue any brands in the near future, the combination of these trim changes and poor sales performance leaves us questioning Alfa Romeo's future.