Despite plans for a new Alfa Romeo convertible to be built by Mazda on the bones of its next-generation MX-5 Miata being finalized last year, Sergio Marchionne, the head of Alfa Romeo parent company Fiat Chrysler, reportedly wants a major rethink of the project.

Automotive News (subscription required), citing insider sources, is reporting that Alfa Romeo will miss out on the Mazda-based convertible while another Fiat Chrysler brand, most likely Fiat or the Abarth performance brand, will receive it instead.   

Marchionne reportedly wants Alfa Romeos to be built in Italy exclusively, and he's likely to also be mindful of possible competition with a new Alfa Romeo 4C convertible, which will be previewed in concept form at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show this week and is expected to launch on the market early next year, about when the new Mazda-based Alfa was due.

The sources revealed that a final decision is likely to made soon, but that walking away from the deal with Mazda is not an option because it will prove too costly.

We should know what Marchionne has planned very soon as he will be releasing a comprehensive five-year strategy for Alfa Romeo in the next couple of months.

Stay tuned for an update.

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