Downey to get Alfa Romeo dealership

DOWNEY -- Alfa Romeo is coming to Downey. 

The Italian car manufacturer will share space on Firestone Boulevard with Champion Dodge and Fiat, city officials announced. Signage should be up within the next few weeks, along with the first shipment of vehicles. 

City officials credited Alfa Romeo's arrival to a 2010 sales tax deal in which the City Council agreed to contribute $1 million to finance redevelopment of the car lot. 

The city expects to be repaid $2.75 million by the time the loan is fully repaid in 2020. 

Alfa Romeo expects to sell 200 cars in its first year in Downey. Car sales could reach 900 annually by its third year in business, city officials predicted. 

 "We are very excited to have Alfa Romeo as part of the community," said Mayor Alex Saab.