Fiat/Chrysler chief Sergio Marchionne appears to have put the much discussed relaunch of Alfa Romeo in the United States on hold.
The Italian told reports at the Detroit motor show that Alfa must first prove it has "a right to exist as a separate brand" before being expanded.
He added that if Alfa could not make a good product and business case for the US then it would remain a Europe-only brand.
Prior to Fiat's tie-in with Chrysler last year, it had been aiming to launch Alfa in the US in 2010 as part of its centenary celebrations.
