Fiat’s plan to bring Alfa Romeo back to the U.S. market is being threatened by the weak U.S. dollar. As a result, the Italian automaker is reportedly talking to Detroit’s top three automakers about sharing production of Alfa Romeos.
The apparent aim of the talks is to avoid having to build a costly production facility by instead finding a partner. Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne wouldn’t say which automakers his company was talking to, but he told the Financial Times “you don’t even need a full hand to count them.”
Previously, Marchionne mentioned production in the “NAFTA area” might be necessary, but this is the first time he has singled out the Detroit Three as partners — a move that might surprise some.
Detroit’s three automakers — GM, Ford, and Chrysler — have all been shrinking their operations, meaning they might have unused production capacity available.
One thing is for sure — for Alfa to be a successes in America, U.S. production is a must. “Nobody making anything in Europe is going to make profits in the U.S.,” he said. “You can’t.”
Of course, Alfa won’t be able to set up U.S. production by next year — when U.S. sales are expected to begin — so it will have to absorb the loss from importing vehicles until assembly with a partner here begins.
At launch, Alfa Romeo will only offer the 8C Competizione, but plans to follow with the 159 sedan, Brea 2+2 coupe and Spider two-seater.
03/25, 9:39 AM
posted by:
Ricardo Head
I thought Alfas were all being built in China now to improve quality.
03/25, 9:40 AM
posted by:
mr.meanpants
Good news and bad news, my mind doesn’t know what to think.
03/25, 9:42 AM
posted by:
mr.meanpants
Ricardo did you forget to take your supportive and nurturing pill today?
This is Alfa Romeo we are talking about, sure the quality has been be dodgy, but they have always cared about enthusiasts. We NEED them in the States.
03/25, 9:43 AM
posted by:
AmericanMade
I LOVE Alfa’s. Cant wait to see them on the roads here…
03/25, 10:12 AM
posted by:
purdue
Choice is good in cars.
03/25, 10:12 AM
posted by:
global_lightning
Alfa Romeo has been using GM engines and other components. With Ford and Chrysler cost-cutting and selling off assets, I can’t see them partnering with Alfa Romeo.
03/25, 10:17 AM
posted by:
planet_drive
I thought that it was not possible to build Alfa’s any worse than they already are, but if they start building them in the states, I guess it will be possible to make them worse.
03/25, 10:25 AM
posted by:
SS4LIFE
Well if building Alfa’s over here could keep costs down then I guess for the consumer that would be a good thing, seeing that these are foreign vehicles there’s obviously going to be a higher mark up. As much as I love the Brera Coupe and Spider if they end up costing more then 35k then I won’t even go any further in looking into them.
03/25, 10:29 AM
posted by:
howsmydriving
Having once purchased a new Fiat, I won’t buy anything Italian that has moving parts.
03/25, 11:20 AM
posted by:
gtv6
I don’t see Alfa coming back in 2009
03/25, 11:43 AM
posted by:
TOZO
I can see that Alfa being badge-engineered with an American brand. The US could use something nice like that.
03/25, 11:47 AM
posted by:
richt62167
Dont bring Alfa bring over Citroen (not that im not a fan of Alfa) but have you seen the New Citroen’s very nice!!
03/25, 11:51 AM
posted by:
planet_drive
I agree, bring back the French cars! We missed out on the coolest hot hatchs ever built, The Renault Clio V6. Every time I see one of those I drool. A mid mounted 3litre 255hp V6 in a car the size of a civic hatch is just what I need.
03/25, 11:53 AM
posted by:
global_lightning
I don’t think it will be badge engineering. Alfa will lease production space and use American labor for their own designs. Some parts (like body panels) may be pre-fabbed in Europe and shipped in.
03/25, 11:54 AM
posted by:
mr.meanpants
Agreed on the Clio V6, the car is a classic.
03/25, 12:29 PM
posted by:
jjayc08
I love older Alfa Romeos and **** wait to see the newer models on sale in the USA. I’m not sure they will sell though espesially as they are gussied up Fiats.
03/25, 1:00 PM
posted by:
Ricardo Head
It sucks when you **** wait for anything, Jjay, doesn’t it?
03/25, 1:07 PM
posted by:
inline6
If Alfa brings over the Mi.To, and Saab gets us the 9-1, and MINI continues to make superlative vehicles, I’m going to have a lot of cars to test drive before I buy something this size in the not too distant future.
03/25, 1:11 PM
posted by:
inline6
You think Alfas are unreliable, try PSA cars.
03/25, 1:14 PM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
“No one making anything in Europe is goign to make profits in the U.S.”
No one except Mercedes, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley, Porsche, VW, Aston Martin, etc….etc….Shall I go on gooch-bag?
03/25, 1:42 PM
posted by:
mr.meanpants
VW is not making money in the US.
03/25, 1:50 PM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
I have a glass coffee table and I want to lie underneath it whilst y’all take a dump
03/25, 2:56 PM
posted by:
gtv6
inline – it sounds like it’s the 500 that is coming over, there’s a better article oven on italiaspeed.com
03/25, 4:20 PM
posted by:
RicardoHead
DeansterTJ I’m going to take you up on that kind offer, but i am going to skip with the glass coffee table.
03/25, 7:13 PM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
“whilst” y’all take a dump? Who uses “whilst” and “y’all” in the same sentence?
03/25, 7:48 PM
posted by:
gtv6
/\ lol, good point