Comments on: Report: Maserati dealers to sell Alfas in America? http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html Car news, reviews, and specs for the auto-industry Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:23:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: global_lightning http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310892 global_lightning Wed, 09 May 2007 12:50:40 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310892 I doubt they will place a Fiat 500 next to a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti on the showroom floor. Think of it this way: Most MINIs are sold through BMW dealerships. However, they are usually placed in a separate area, away from the more expensive iron. Lexus/Toyota does the same with Scion I doubt they will place a Fiat 500 next to a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti on the showroom floor. Think of it this way: Most MINIs are sold through BMW dealerships. However, they are usually placed in a separate area, away from the more expensive iron. Lexus/Toyota does the same with Scion

]]> By: TOZO http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310886 TOZO Wed, 09 May 2007 06:40:25 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310886 But what about associating the great Ferrari and Maserati brands with the Fiat 500? Wouldn't that screw consumers up? A Ferrari 599 GTB next to a Yaris/Accent/Rio-fighter? I mean, as European as it is, the upcoming 500 shares its underpinnings with the Ford Ka/Fiesta, that car that is one model BELOW the Focus in rank and size. The Alfa's probably going to happen, but most likely, Ford will just bring the Ka/Fiesta here, and no Fiat 500 in North America. I mean c'mon! Fiat???!!! But what about associating the great Ferrari and Maserati brands with the Fiat 500? Wouldn’t that screw consumers up?
A Ferrari 599 GTB next to a Yaris/Accent/Rio-fighter?
I mean, as European as it is, the upcoming 500 shares its underpinnings with the Ford Ka/Fiesta, that car that is one model BELOW the Focus in rank and size. The Alfa’s probably going to happen, but most likely, Ford will just bring the Ka/Fiesta here, and no Fiat 500 in North America. I mean c’mon! Fiat???!!!

]]> By: hanlond http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310857 hanlond Tue, 08 May 2007 20:03:28 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310857 Originally I thought this wouldn't be a really good idea, but global_lightning's comment changed my thoughts. Very few dealers would be able to cover such a wide range of cars. Having Ferraris and Maseratis would also probably help bring people in, and people would associate Fiat and Alfa with Ferrari and Maserati, hopefully in a good way. Originally I thought this wouldn’t be a really good idea, but global_lightning’s comment changed my thoughts. Very few dealers would be able to cover such a wide range of cars. Having Ferraris and Maseratis would also probably help bring people in, and people would associate Fiat and Alfa with Ferrari and Maserati, hopefully in a good way.

]]> By: global_lightning http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310799 global_lightning Tue, 08 May 2007 07:15:59 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310799 Somehow, a Ferrari/Maserati/Alfa/Fiat dealership makes sense. Ferrari: high-end sports cars with some luxury Maserati: high-end luxury cars with some sport Alfa Romeo: Mid-range sendans and coupes with some luxury and sport Fiat: youth-oriented MINI/Scion fighter with some sport I know I'm oversimplifying their ranges, but this would cover a good chunk of the car-buying demographic. Just watch the build quality and reliability, which all 4 have been improving for some time now. Somehow, a Ferrari/Maserati/Alfa/Fiat dealership makes sense.
Ferrari: high-end sports cars with some luxury
Maserati: high-end luxury cars with some sport
Alfa Romeo: Mid-range sendans and coupes with some luxury and sport
Fiat: youth-oriented MINI/Scion fighter with some sport

I know I’m oversimplifying their ranges, but this would cover a good chunk of the car-buying demographic. Just watch the build quality and reliability, which all 4 have been improving for some time now.

]]> By: TOZO http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310796 TOZO Tue, 08 May 2007 06:41:52 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310796 A cheap & crummy little Fiat at a Ferrari dealer: that'll be the day! A cheap & crummy little Fiat at a Ferrari dealer: that’ll be the day!

]]> By: TOZO http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310795 TOZO Tue, 08 May 2007 06:40:52 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310795 i know - Buick & Pontiac sales are messed up, but when you put Buick, Pontiac, & GMC sales together, sales reach Nissan's levels --> That's 6th place! i know – Buick & Pontiac sales are messed up, but when you put Buick, Pontiac, & GMC sales together, sales reach Nissan’s levels –> That’s 6th place!

]]> By: Hyperion http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310791 Hyperion Tue, 08 May 2007 05:34:23 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310791 If they brought back a Fiat 500, it at least shouldn't be this clown imitation of the old ones. If they brought back a Fiat 500, it at least shouldn’t be this clown imitation of the old ones.

]]> By: autonutt http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310787 autonutt Tue, 08 May 2007 04:09:25 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310787 I think gtv6 is correct.. just like Maserati was dualed exclusively with Ferrari when it was relaunched here, now there are a number of stand-alone Maserati stores here in Southern California that would have plenty of room to take on Alfa, for example. Thank God there won't be Cadillac/Saab/Alfa dealers like originally envisioned! And as far as the Fiat 500 being a Mini competitor, the Fiat name is far too tarnished to bring back, and would only hinder Alfa's grand relaunch. Bring the 500 as an entry Alfa and maybe that would work. I think gtv6 is correct.. just like Maserati was dualed exclusively with Ferrari when it was relaunched here, now there are a number of stand-alone Maserati stores here in Southern California that would have plenty of room to take on Alfa, for example. Thank God there won’t be Cadillac/Saab/Alfa dealers like originally envisioned! And as far as the Fiat 500 being a Mini competitor, the Fiat name is far too tarnished to bring back, and would only hinder Alfa’s grand relaunch. Bring the 500 as an entry Alfa and maybe that would work.

]]> By: gtv6 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310761 gtv6 Tue, 08 May 2007 01:18:49 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310761 Ricardo - they're going to start at Maserati dealerships, then expand and open Alfa dealerships after the brand is established. Otherwise they would never turn a profit. Ricardo – they’re going to start at Maserati dealerships, then expand and open Alfa dealerships after the brand is established. Otherwise they would never turn a profit.

]]> By: Renton http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310758 Renton Tue, 08 May 2007 00:58:16 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310758 We need Alfa back. Big Time. We need Alfa back.

Big Time.

]]> By: LamborghiniZ http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310747 LamborghiniZ Mon, 07 May 2007 22:38:50 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310747 This isn't really "news", per se, I've been hearing about this for a long time now. This isn’t really “news”, per se, I’ve been hearing about this for a long time now.

]]> By: Ricardo Head http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310746 Ricardo Head Mon, 07 May 2007 22:34:54 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310746 Whaddaya have, maybe 50 Maserati dealers stateside? Assuming each of these might move one Alfa in 10 days that's about 1800 units per year nationwide. Big deal - most of us will never see one on the road. . Plus any buyer would simply have to have a hardon for an Alfa because everyone knows they are built crappily and the nearest service center is about 400 miles away. I love Alfas too, guys, but partnering with an exclusive dealership is not a good way to sell somewhat mass market cars. They'd be better off trying to market them alongside Saabs, Soobaroos, Audis, or Mitsubishis. Whaddaya have, maybe 50 Maserati dealers stateside? Assuming each of these might move one Alfa in 10 days that’s about 1800 units per year nationwide. Big deal – most of us will never see one on the road.
.
Plus any buyer would simply have to have a hardon for an Alfa because everyone knows they are built crappily and the nearest service center is about 400 miles away. I love Alfas too, guys, but partnering with an exclusive dealership is not a good way to sell somewhat mass market cars. They’d be better off trying to market them alongside Saabs, Soobaroos, Audis, or Mitsubishis.

]]> By: gtv6 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310742 gtv6 Mon, 07 May 2007 22:18:25 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310742 Anyone think they'll bring the 149 over? Anyone think they’ll bring the 149 over?

]]> By: gtv6 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310739 gtv6 Mon, 07 May 2007 21:58:59 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310739 That's been the plan all along, hasn't it? That’s been the plan all along, hasn’t it?

]]> By: t-ak-box http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310731 t-ak-box Mon, 07 May 2007 21:20:37 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310731 Alfa Rocks! Alfa Rocks!

]]> By: Blakkarr http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310728 Blakkarr Mon, 07 May 2007 21:08:15 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310728 drivingisfun, I don't disagree with you but I think this is more a case of "Friendly shores". Alfa strikes a deal with Maserati to get lot space. That and most Alfas will cost an arm and a leg when they ship to the US so selling along side other high dollar cars, recall that Maserati is basically "Pontiac" to Ferrari's "Cadillac" now a days. It looks more like "Italian automakers united" right now. It can only (hopefully) be good in the long run. drivingisfun,

I don’t disagree with you but I think this is more a case of “Friendly shores”. Alfa strikes a deal with Maserati to get lot space. That and most Alfas will cost an arm and a leg when they ship to the US so selling along side other high dollar cars, recall that Maserati is basically “Pontiac” to Ferrari’s “Cadillac” now a days.

It looks more like “Italian automakers united” right now. It can only (hopefully) be good in the long run.

]]> By: jdepould http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310717 jdepould Mon, 07 May 2007 20:19:16 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310717 8C, yum. Are there enough Maserati dealerships in the US to hit their sales targets though? 8C, yum. Are there enough Maserati dealerships in the US to hit their sales targets though?

]]> By: spud http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310708 spud Mon, 07 May 2007 19:28:43 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310708 I wish we could start with a clean sheet over here - in the UK. The worst thing here about Alfa isn't he cars, it's the dealerships! I wish we could start with a clean sheet over here – in the UK. The worst thing here about Alfa isn’t he cars, it’s the dealerships!

]]> By: MB550 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310704 MB550 Mon, 07 May 2007 18:59:53 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310704 I would love for Alfa's to be on the US market. I would love for Alfa’s to be on the US market.

]]> By: homeboy234 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310703 homeboy234 Mon, 07 May 2007 18:59:04 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310703 well that would be the sensible choice i mean theyre hardly gonna be selling it in Ferrari dealerships are they?? ,also no car is unreliable or temperamental as the Alfa well that would be the sensible choice i mean theyre hardly gonna be selling it in Ferrari dealerships are they?? ,also no car is unreliable or temperamental as the Alfa

]]> By: drivingisfun http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310693 drivingisfun Mon, 07 May 2007 18:27:57 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310693 ^ There's no way anyone else will agree with you, although I see where you draw your comaparison. Have you checked the sales of all three brands? GMC trucks outsell Buicks and Pontiacs and GM has ruined all brand equity through enormous rebadging. Selling Alfa's and Fiats together would be the best move, once they're both here of course. Maserati should stay exclusive and/or with Ferrari dealers. ^ There’s no way anyone else will agree with you, although I see where you draw your comaparison. Have you checked the sales of all three brands? GMC trucks outsell Buicks and Pontiacs and GM has ruined all brand equity through enormous rebadging. Selling Alfa’s and Fiats together would be the best move, once they’re both here of course. Maserati should stay exclusive and/or with Ferrari dealers.

]]> By: TOZO http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310692 TOZO Mon, 07 May 2007 18:23:35 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310692 Well, it works for Buick-Pontiac-GMC. Well, it works for Buick-Pontiac-GMC.

]]> By: Madcapp http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310686 Madcapp Mon, 07 May 2007 18:03:11 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310686 Fiat 500 all day long...not for me, but a worthwhile offering nevertheless. No car depreciates like an Alfa. Fiat 500 all day long…not for me, but a worthwhile offering nevertheless. No car depreciates like an Alfa.

]]> By: PrimeGTP http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310681 PrimeGTP Mon, 07 May 2007 17:53:07 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/report-maserati-dealers-to-sell-alfas-in-america.html#comment-310681 Alfas, yes, Fiat 500, no. Alfas, yes, Fiat 500, no.

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