GENEVA -- Alfa Romeo's Tonale concept hints at a future compact crossover positioned below its Stelvio.
The Tonale showcases the future evolution of the brand, Alfa Romeo CEO Tim Kuniskis said at the concept's unveiling on Tuesday at the auto show here.
Alfa said the goal of the Tonale was to deliver the best driving dynamics in the segment and to introduce electrification for the brand.
The concept uses a new plug-in hybrid powertrain, although Alfa gave no details about it.
Kuniskis said a Tonale-based production car would be a key driver of the brand's future growth.
Michael Manley, who is CEO of Alfa parent Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, told journalists in Geneva that production will most likely start during the second half of 2020.
Alfa Romeo needs a sales boost and more crossovers, analysts say.
The brand's global sales will drop to 110,161 this year from 121,287 last year, according to IHS Markit.
Kuniskis said the global compact crossover market will grow to 1.4 million sales by 2021, with Europe accounting for 600,000 of those sales.
French analyst firm Inovev forecasts annual production of 70,000 units of the Tonale. Last year Alfa built just under 40,000 units of the Stelvio, the firm said.
