Filed under: Maserati
Alfa Romeo gets Maserati backing to come to the US
In a move that makes sense, instead of Alfa Romeo needing to develop its own dealer network, Maserati dealers will be expected to sell Alfas in a couple years' time.
Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said Maserati will be in the black again this year, after 17 years in a red sea. With its new gearbox and new GranTurismo, Maserati is planning to more than double its sales by 2011, moving 12,000 cars per year. Analysts, though, put that number at 8,000 max. Regardless, more Maseratis on the road means more clout for the marque, and Alfa could take advantage of the momentum to help its own case. According to an analyst, Alfa sales are expected to reach 8,000 by 2015. First up will probably be the 8C Competizione perhaps in 2008, then the 159 sedan and Brera coupe in 2009.
[Source: Detroit News]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Will 7:56AM (5/07/2007)
Bring the Brera. Please. It's the most beautiful car, in my opinion, on sale in the world today. The fact that it's fairly affordable doesn't hurt, and it's build quality, while not Honda-levels, are much better than they were when Alfa's wers still sold Stateside. By 2009, if it's here, I'll be trading in my 300C, as my daughter will have her own car by then (sniff).
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gerard Vandenberg 7:56AM (5/07/2007)
I think Alfa Romeo is doing a great job by joining the Italians in the U.S. Build just a few special production Alfa Romeo's with rear wheel drive and Gull-Wings. Only build for the U.S. so Americans feel SPECIAL and they are!
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Atomicbri 8:14AM (5/07/2007)
Can't wait! The 159 is mine! LOL! I drove one in Europe and it was great! Interior was still al little cheap in spots so if Alfa can address this with the new 159 due soon then it will be complete. And the looks!! OMG even better in person. Italian style and design for a fraction of a Maser or Ferarri! The Brera is hot, and I think the convertible version should come, and call it Spider...LOL!
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Dausman 8:52AM (5/07/2007)
Alpha 8C first up.....and only a dream for me....but has to be the most gorgeous autos of today...159 sedan is not bad at all , either.....hope they are quality built and dependable.
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Mike 9:04AM (5/07/2007)
THANK GOD! THE RETURN OF ALFA!!!!
I'm going to start saving up a good down payment now. I can't wait to get my hands on one of these...
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bmoredlj 9:30AM (5/07/2007)
Previous U.S. reputation be damned. Bring 'em on!
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mike 10:02AM (5/07/2007)
I would dearly love to see Alfa and even Fiat back in the US. Maybe even Renault. Sure, their quality was very suspect when they were here but if they go with something like a full maintenance plan and a long warranty, it will go a long way toward convincing people that they may be worth another shot. Personally, I'd be on the lot this afternoon if the Brera was available. What a beautiful car.
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Richard Warren 10:03AM (5/07/2007)
Bring them now!
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Ken 10:04AM (5/07/2007)
Oh boy, this is the best news I have read so far this week. I have been a huge new Alfa fan (not the crappy quality old ones).........I thought I had to move to Europe to own one of these beauties....say a prayer for this people, let's all hope they will be here sooner than later. I can't wait to trade in my bimmers for some new Alphas!!!
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stefan 11:49AM (5/07/2007)
I live in Europe and there is nothing to be happy about alfa's are the biggest crap around, their quality is very bad and their resale value is very low.
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chuck goolsbee 12:20PM (5/07/2007)
One of the hallmarks of being a true "car guy" is owning at least one Alfa in your lifetime. This move should make it easier.
I wonder if they'll bring their little Diesel coupes too?
--chuck
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Calebe 12:59PM (5/07/2007)
Please !
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rwcmick 1:37PM (5/07/2007)
I recently spoke with the sales staff at Ferrari/Maserati of Silicon Valley, in Redwood City, CA. The sales person mentioned that while they could handle the volume of the 8C Competizione, the addition of the Brera/Spider/159 would be more than their facility could/would want to handle.
I don't know how many other dealers would feel the same about this, but given that the Brera/Spider/159 would bring in a different clientele, I imagine that these guys are not alone in their opinion.
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John Paul Rowan 8:47PM (5/07/2007)
This would be great, I think that younger buyers could get excited about both brands and as they become wealthier they will move into a Maser. Also, since they are starting to share more parts this just makes economical sense. And the more beautiful Italian cars coming to the US the better.
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Jeff 10:34PM (5/07/2007)
I've always wanted to drive an Alfa but I don't know if I could ever own one. Italian cars just give me the willies. I don't know why. I hope they're successful here, though.
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Vincent Savage 12:26AM (5/08/2007)
I owned an Alfa Spider for twenty years as my regular transport. Although it gave me trouble, it was a well-made car with quality componets where quality mattered. I had more trouble with the German starter than with the Italian electricals. Quality control was haphazard in places, but I think that Alfa's main problem was that they were ahead of the technological curve in the 1950's and '60's and simply stopped at that point. I always admired Porsche's constant fine tuning of the ancient 911. If Alfa had adopted a similar attitude, they should never have had to exit the U.S. in the first place.
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