Marchionne: Alfa Romeo Still Not For Sale
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne is open to forming new alliance with other automakers as far as cost-savings are concerned, but he maintains that Alfa Romeo is not for sale.
Automotive News Europe reports Marchionne said as much during a conference call regarding Fiat’s Q2 2014 earnings, reaffirming the parent company’s commitment to Alfa Romeo and proclaiming his company is not “in the business of brand-trading.”
Said commitment includes a €5 billion ($6.7 billion USD) investment to help the premium brand become a sought-after global brand of eight new models — underpinned by the upcoming Giorgio RWD/AWD platform — with annual sales of 400,000 by 2018, up from 74,000 in 2013.
As for alliances, Marchionne is open to the idea, though nothing is on the table as of this writing.
Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.
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What Alfa needs is a partnership with a Japanese maker. An Alfa body and interior with Honda guts would be just about perfect.
I can't believe some of the comments here regarding Alfa achieving its sales goals. The one that is the most ridiculous is lack of distribution. It will be distributed throughout FCA's global network. Back in 2003 Alfa sold over 200k cars with its very limited distribution, mostly in Europe. Why on earth would 450k be a stretch considering a global network many times greater in size. As Jeep has done, Alfa will achieve sales heights never before seen. Then it will be time to bring back Lancia. Go for it Sergio.
Mandalorian: "An Alfa body and interior with Honda guts would be just about perfect." No, because it wouldn't be an Alfa, it would be a nicer looking Honda. Marchionne has already said Alfas would have Italian engines. Then again, he changes product plans more often than he changes sweaters.
I agree that Fiat should keep Alfa if it really wants to have a high end brand. The brand that Fiat should really jinx is Lancia. Lancia is basically one of those "premium but not truly luxury" car brands. There isn't much space between FIAT and barely alive Alfa to fit the Lancia in.