Since 2015, Alfa Romeo has produced its flagship models in Cassino in Italy, notably the Giulia and the Stelvio, while production of the Tonale has been made in Pomigliano d’Arco since 2022. However, the situation could well change for the future of this SUV . Indeed, an analysis of product plan presented by Jean-Philippe ImparatoCEO of Stellar Europe, suggests that the Tonale of tomorrow will probably no longer be made in Italy.
The production of the Alfa Romeo Junior in Poland, launched in 2024, has already raised heated debates concerning the maintenance of production in Italy. Although Alfa Romeo initially reassured by confirming that the future Giulia and Stelvio, expected for 2026, would be produced at Cassino, Recent announcements from Stellantis have cast doubt on the future of Tonale in Italy.
Transition to the STLA Medium platform
After 2026, the situation of Tonale will change. The current model, which is based on an old Fiat platform, will not be able to evolve into a fully electric version. Stellantis therefore planned that the Tonale 2027 will be replaced by a new model on the STLA Medium platformsuitable for 100% electric vehicles.
Remember that, after the Tonale, there will be either a new Giulietta on STLA Medium, or an E-SUV on STLA Large, or, a new GTV which replaces the Opel Manta project.
Where will the new Tonale be produced in 2027?
The Italian car product plan, as presented by Imparato, no longer mentions Tonale production in Italy by 2030. This announcement relaunches the question of the place of manufacture of the new Tonale 2027. Among the possible options, several factories in Europe could come into play. One of the most plausible could be the French factory in Sochauxalready in charge of the production of the Peugeot 3008 and 5008, two new SUVs which, like the Tonale, are built on the STLA Medium platform. If this hypothesis is confirmed, Sochaux would become a key center for the production of Stellantis electric SUVs.
Beyond the Tonale, the product plan for Italy until 2030 does not provide no other production of Alfa Romeo models on Italian soilexcept the future Stelvio and Giulia. This raises questions about the future of automobile production in this country, which has always been at the heart of Alfa Romeo’s DNA. Jean-Philippe Imparato raised the possibility that the factory Cassino welcomes a new “top di gamma” model between 2027 and 2030but this could also include models from Maserati, such as the Levante, or a large Alfa Romeo SUV on the STLA Large platform.
Nothing is set in stone yet, but at this point it seems that the Sochaux factory, in France, is the most suitable for the production of Tonale 2027. It is one of the only factories already producing SUVs on the STLA Medium platform and could well become the European manufacturing center for this model. If nothing is planned for Melfi, another Italian factory which will be dedicated to other STLA Meidum models such as the Jeep Compass, Lancia Gamma, DS n°7 and DS n°8, Sochaux therefore seems to be a logical choice for the future Tonale.
So, although Italy remains an important pillar for Alfa Romeo, the future of Tonale could well be written elsewhere. Let us not forget that, just like Italy, French factories need to be reassured with an announced drop in production of 20% in 2025.
