Alfa Romeo Targets U.S. Sales of 50,000 for New SUV
Before Alfa Romeo enters the US market, it will need to position itself as a volume manufacturer and do battle against the Germans from Audi and BMW. And what better way to build volume than to join the lucrative luxury SUV/Crossover market?
Alfa Romeo, Fiat has admitted to a cadre of cranky investors, “needs significant work.” Its niche GT, Brera, and Spider models have been discontinued, leaving behind only four models in Europe—two of which are the aging 159 sedan and wagon. But after the Giulietta was introduced last year, the sporty SUV nicknamed the “C-SUV” will be the next new Alfa, built alongside a Jeep model that will share its platform. Engine choices will include Fiat’s gasoline and Multijet 2 diesel options, with a range-topping Chrysler Pentastar V6 for the finest example of American-powered Italiano motoring since the Chrysler TC by Maserati.
To show those cranky investors that Fiat is serious about Alfa’s volume manufacturing aims, CEO Sergio Marchionne has set Alfa a sales target: 500,000 cars in two years. Over on this side of the Atlantic, Alfa Romeo’s goals are more modest: 85,000 cars annually, starting in 2014 with the 4C sports car. But nonetheless, the C-SUV will be an important car to Alfa’s U.S. success, and another option in the BMW X3/Audi Q5 decision.
[Source: Autocar]
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Fiat has never understood Alfa...and it still doesn't.
For over 30 years or more Alfa Romeo has projected enthusiastic USA sales figures that have never come within more than a sliver of. I don't know why they do this. First of all, there cars are never debugged enough to be practical; I know, I have three Alfa 'shells' to prove it. And Alfa is secretive as well, never letting on as to how to repair their cars, which makes some sense, but even Italians are staying away, due to the excessive downtime. In the US, 'good dealers' were somewhat of an oxymoron. When Fiat took over, they were fully esconced in front wheel drive mode, turning a legend into a somewhat anonomous creature with mixed results. The best all-out attempt was 'Il Mostro' a [rear drive] car you wouldn't likely take home to meet your mother. The much heralded Brera and its' derivative--remember, the Alfisti hand picked this one-- is a goner with dismal sales. Sadly, Alfa Romeo has been in a quandary for a very, very ,very long time, and the competition has never been fiercer than today. If you play by the numbers, this bet is a loser.