Alfa USA/Canada 2015/2016 A new beginning

It is not a matter of front end regulations. The difference is that the Giulia has a much shorter front overhang than the Ghibli: 795mm vs 935mm.

 

Yes because they were aiming squarely at the BMW 3 Series.

I still think the question of Alfa's success will not be in the product but in the dealers and service. Putting them in Fiat dealers is a real bad first step that they may never recover from.

Mini went into BMW dealers so this little econo box got the benefit of a positive rub off. What rub off does Alfa get from Fiat?



I saw today that the Fiat 500x is not selling but the same car sold as the Jeep Renegade is a huge success. There's your answer.

 

I agree with you on service and dealership experience. At least here in Montreal it seems the first 3 or 4 Alfa retailers seem to be independent of Fiat. I think that's positive and hopefully they mimic Maserati

 

Alfa's will be sold at Maserati dealers and Fiat dealers it seems. Here in Atlanta area they are being sold at Jim Ellis Maserati and Fiat of Morrow.

Dave

 

What is this? Fiat Chrysler shrugs off negatives, helped by Maserati, Alfa Romeo spin-off theories FCA rumored to sell off Alfa Romeo and Maserati? If it's gonna be true then Sergio hardly keeps his promises! Promised to invest 5 billion euros for Alfa Romeo five years plan and make it as global premium brand? Guess what they haven't even spent 5 billion euros yet maybe just 2 billion but already ran out the cash it could be a rebirth for Alfa Romeo and Maserati, especially Maserati, cuz they never really had money to make a new model to replace the current GT and delay the Alfieri until 2019-2020 I think VW might interested in Alfa Romeo, and Chinese would love to purchase them all, they have money all they need is technology, so if everything money can buy they will buy it for sure, like they bought Pirelli! It's shame that FCA's finance is like a black hole, everything they do is adding more debt, how is Sergio shrugs off 7 billion debt by the end of 2018 when he retire? What do you guys think?

 

Sergio is an accountant. He goes where the money is. That's all he cares about (unfortunately).

 

Bob,

What does this mean for alfa ? Will they survive? Will they find a good owner? Will the Giulia be able to become a great car?

 

Didn't FCA just pour billions into Alfa-Maserati?.....I would assume it's normal for them to have serious debt in order to get the product mix on the right path, and initially it seems to be paying off. The Levante is posting double digit profit margins.

I would be suprised if they sold Maserati or Alfa at this stage, both brands representing the premium sector within FCA and thicker profit margins than other FCA brands.

To be honest, If and when they do sell them, I'd rather have them end up like JLR or Volvo than be absorbed into VAG.

Wasn't VW eyeing Alfa a few years ago prior to dieselgate?

 

Chicago is over-dealered for Maserati. Even for the wishful thinking sales projections. No reason for the number they have.

Alfa died the first time in the US when it went to Chrysler dealers and Maserati/Alfa are going the same way again. In the 90's ARDONA was going to save Alfa because Chrysler dealers reallly knew how to sell cars and the existing Alfa dealers didn't. Turns out Alfas weren't Chryslers and Alfa buyers weren't Chrysler buyers.

I know, I know, it's much more complicated than that but, as one involved with Alfa and Maserati for a long time, the chasing volume mentality of FCA as regards to Maserati, seemingly to the detriment of the brand, really bugs me. And I expect Alfa to go the same way. Too bad. And I wanted a new stick shift Alfa. That's my rant.

 

I had the Ghibli S, and scrapped the front end and cross bars under the exhaust down pipes over any speed bump. I've owned a lot of low sprung sports cars but I found the Ghibli unusable in parking lots with speed bumps. I hope the Giulia doesn't have the same issue.

 

All points show the Giulia and the new SUV are going to be awesome. I'm quite sure I'm going to get a QF next year.

I think that there's a lot of Ferrari DNA in these two and you have to wonder if they split, would it be the same.

But look at Jag after leaving Ford. It's pretty impressive what TATA has done with them.

BTW: The Mas Ghibli never did it for me. The Alfa Giulia is aiming to be the best sport sedan in the world and the Stelvio the best sports SUV. It's a pity they delayed the Alfieri

 

There is blue Giulia qv at the Alfa dealer in Naperville.

Looks very good. I saw a few Giulia in Paris last week ans they look very good even in non qv version.

$79k though..wonder what will be the value a year from now.