Summary
- Alfa Romeo Junior is the automaker’s first EV
- The Junior might come to the U.S. even though it wasn’t originally planned
- It may only be sold in certain states, including California and Florida
- The Junior is based on the Stellantis eCMP2 architecture, shared with Jeep and Fiat models
- The U.S. version considered is the Junior Veloce, priced around $42,000 and benefiting from lower tariffs than competitors like Mini and Volvo
Article
Alfa Romeo is considering bringing its Junior crossover, the automaker’s first EV, to the U.S. The Junior was originally unveiled as the Milano but had its name changed due to Italian laws. At 164 inches long, the Junior is shorter than the Alfa Romeo Tonale, the automaker’s current entry-level model in the U.S. The Junior is based on the Stellantis eCMP2 architecture and is planned to be built in Poland. While there were initially no plans to bring the Junior to the U.S., Alfa Romeo is now showing the car to dealers in order to gauge interest.
The Junior will be sold in Europe as both an EV and mild-hybrid, with the most powerful variant being the Junior Veloce. In Europe, the single-motor Junior Veloce generates 281 hp and is capable of accelerating from 0-62 mph in 5.9 seconds. The range of the Junior Veloce is expected to be around 205 miles on a 54-kWh battery pack. In the U.S., the Junior may only be available in certain states such as California and Florida, which have strong EV sales. Alfa Romeo is currently considering the feasibility of selling the Junior in the U.S. given its smaller size compared to other vehicles in the market.
It is unclear what the pricing of the Junior would be in the U.S., but it starts at 52,000 euros in Italy. This would likely translate to a price of around $42,000 in the U.S. The Junior may have a price advantage over other small premium EVs like the 2025 Mini Cooper Electric and 2025 Volvo EX30, as it is built in Poland and subject to lower tariffs. However, this advantage may be temporary as rival automakers adjust their production plans to account for tariffs. Volvo has already delayed the launch of the EX30 in the U.S. due to tariffs, moving production from China to Belgium.
The Stellantis eCMP2 architecture used in the Junior also underpins other vehicles such as the Jeep Avenger and Fiat 600, which are not currently planned for the U.S. The Junior will be available as an all-electric vehicle and a mild-hybrid in Europe. The decision to bring the Junior to the U.S. will depend on interest from dealers as well as regulations governing emissions standards. Alfa Romeo is aiming to target states with more stringent emissions rules for sales of the Junior in the U.S., in order to align with their environmental goals.
The Junior may give Alfa Romeo a foothold in the booming EV market in the U.S. and help the automaker meet stringent emissions standards. With its smaller size and competitive pricing, the Junior could attract consumers looking for a premium EV that offers performance and efficiency. By considering sales in certain states and focusing on the most powerful EV variant, Alfa Romeo is strategically positioning itself to enter the U.S. EV market and compete with other luxury automakers. The success of the Junior in the U.S. could pave the way for future EV offerings from Alfa Romeo and help the company establish a stronger presence in the growing electric vehicle segment.
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