Alfa Romeo unveils new flagship sedan, the long-awaited Giulia, to boost US entry

Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has unveiled the long-awaited Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan meant to power the premium sports car brand's return to the United States and his ambitions to make Italy a hub for luxury car-making.

On the strength of the flagship Giulia, Marchionne aims to boost Alfa Romeo sales to 400,000 a year from 2018, from below 68,000 last year.

Marchionne has missed targets on relaunching the 110-year-old brand in the past, but he said Wednesday that the merger last year of Fiat with Chrysler has given Alfa Romeo the necessary financial resources, the technical capability and a global distribution network.

Alfa Romeo returned to the United States after a 20-year absence last year with the two-seater 4C sports car, aimed at familiarizing younger drivers with the brand.