After Chrysler, Fiat’s focus set on Alfa Romeo

[conaero]

Sergio Marchionne says Fiat will focus its strategy on revamping its Alfa Romeo brand after its planned merger with Chrysler and will keep production of the brand in Italy as it seeks to boost its European operations and protect jobs.

In an interview with Italian daily La Repubblica, the CEO sought to appease unions and politicians who are worried that the merger with Chrysler could signal a shift away from its home market, where Fiat was founded 115 years ago.

“Just as the Jeep is sold in the whole world but is American to the bone, so Alfa's DNA has to be authentically all-Italian,†he said. “It will indeed remain at home.â€
Marchionne repeated that selling Alfa Romeo to a competitor was out of the question. He said the merger would allow Fiat to channel investments into Italy and help re-instate the thousands of workers on temporary layoff schemes.

“My pledge is: when the plan is fully operational, the Italian industrial network will be (fully utilised), market permitting, of course,†he said. “With time – if the market does not collapse again – all (workers on temporary layoffs) will be reinstated.â€

Fiat will present a new industrial plan, outlining new investments and models, at the end of April.

I do wish they would stop talking about it and actually do something.

 

[WTI]

Yeah agreed getting very boring now.
If they would just release a teaser of the upcoming Giulia.....

 

[vantastic]

Sounds shite

 

[smiffy]

They need to release a decent looking car

 

[WTI]

They need to release a decent looking car

Agreed

 

[WTI]

This could be good for the Giulia

But I fear we will get nearer this

 

[WTI]

Again this would do

 

[vantastic]

Sorry, but I think Alfa has gone for good

 

[conaero]

Sorry, but I think Alfa has gone for good

Have faith Van, they have said they are not going to sell it on, nor manufacturer outside of Italy plus their most recent offering the 4C is a statement of intent.

 

[smiffy]

Have faith Van, they have said they are not going to sell it on, nor manufacturer outside of Italy plus their most recent offering the 4C is a statement of intent.

Not really interested in the 4c I think they needed to make the car to pease the enthusiasts. They need a range of decent looking looking affordable cars and get back to going a bit crazy and wacky. You need to spend money to make money, splash out go back into touring cars get the marque back out there show the German fanatics there's more to a car then friggin Vorsprung Durch Technik get some soul back in the car the ride, get that Italian style back in it that we all loved.

Come on Alfa get your fuckkin **** together

 

[WTI]

The 4c is an intent on Fiats behalf of what is coming.
RWD and more niche type cars and more expensive.
Coupes based on a saloon platform I think are finished.
It is really the way forward we just need to save up more cash to buy them

 

[Supercharged16v]

As the Giulia would be intended for the middle aged driver with a family and so on... I believe it should look less "Boy Racer" and more "Classy" if you get what I'm on about...

So more like a 159, less like a 4C.

We had a meeting last Sunday with some of our members. A couple of them have been waiting for YEARS to replace their old Alfa with a new one that suits their needs.

One of them has a 2.5 V6 Alfa 156 and he was on about how he cant change it because he cant the purpose of the Giulietta or MiTo, and that he wants the equivalent of his current 156 , only upgraded and HOPEFULLY with a BUSSO engine

...yeah... BUSSO engine.... as if thats ever gonna happen again....