Alfa Romeo returns to Taiwan market

Taipei, Sept. 15 (CNA) Italian carmaker Alfa Romeo unveiled several new models at a launch event in Taipei as it officially returned to the Taiwanese market on Monday after an 18-year absence.

Alfa Romeo's general distributor, PG Union Corp., which also represents French brand Peugeot in Taiwan, was present at Monday's event showcasing models slated to arrive in Taiwan, including the Giulia, a compact executive car, and the Stelvio, a sport utility vehicle (SUV).

Alfa Romeo's subcompact crossover SUV, the Junior, was also on display and is scheduled to launch in Taiwan in the first half of 2026.

Annie Kao (高易誼), chairwoman of Suntek Motor (Taiwan) Co., which acquired operating rights for Alfa Romeo from PG Union Corp. in December 2024, said she was excited about the brand's return after an 18-year hiatus.

Founded 115 years ago, the Italian carmaker is known for its sports-oriented vehicles and strong racing heritage. It is a subsidiary of Stellantis, a multinational firm that owns several other car brands, including Peugeot, Jeep, Citroen, Fiat and Chrysler.

"I believe many car enthusiasts have been waiting a long time [for Alfa Romeo]," she said. "I even ordered one for myself."

Although the hype is around electric vehicles these days, the Alfa Romeo models being introduced to the Taiwanese market are high-performance, gasoline-powered cars that embody the brand's classic heritage, she said.

Kao said she remains optimistic about Taiwan's car market and hopes to see it improve over the next year.

According to data released by the Ministry of Finance in July, the value of sedan imports totaled US$3.34 billion in the period January to June, down 22.2 percent from a year earlier, which was the steepest decline in 16 years.

Alfa Romeo first entered the Taiwanese market in 1974 but withdrew in 2007 following several distributor changes.

The Monday event was also attended by Kao's father Henry Kao (高志尚), chairman of I-Mei Foods.