Alfa Romeo isn't kidding around about its return to the US market: Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed that Alfa is planning to open a factory in the United States.
Citing the drop in the US dollar against the Euro as a principal motivating factor, Marchionne said that manufacturing cars in America was vital to the profitability of Alfa's stateside venture. The Canadian-Italian industrialist anticipated that Alfa would only begin making a profit after three or four years in the US.
This won't be the first time a Fiat division has manufactured in the United States. In 1909 the Italian automaker inaugurated a plant in Poughkeepsie in upstate New York which it closed a decade later.
Meanwhile, industry sources indicate that Alfa's main factory at Pomigliano d'Arco in southern Italy will close for two months beginning in January as a last-ditch effort to get Alfa Romeo build quality up to spec or else face complete closure.
[Source: Automotive News (sub. req.) via Italiaspeed]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
DCragtop @ Dec 12th 2007 9:46AM
Great to see Alfies back.
ps: If anyone has an extra 300K laying around, that'd be great. I'm loving the new 8C Comp!! It's said to be the best supercar built to date. Although, I read that all 500 being made are already spoken for. But I'd take the cash anyway guys. Thanks~
Yar @ Dec 12th 2007 9:46AM
Oh Baby!
Andrew @ Dec 12th 2007 9:48AM
Not that into the 8C Comp', but loving the news. I've wanted an Alfa for years.
Andrew @ Dec 12th 2007 9:49AM
Gah, my reply to you is down there.
Jon @ Dec 12th 2007 9:58AM
Does that mean Fiat will be coming too? Because more Italian designed cars the better. 500 anyone? I would love to see the 8C for real too.
Calebe @ Dec 12th 2007 10:21AM
Sweeet!!! They look serious about the USA. Also good to hear they are taking big steps to fix any quality problems.
AlmsFan @ Dec 12th 2007 10:39AM
Good to hear, I have always loved Alfa Romeo styling.
If they can get build quality up to 21st century standards they should be competitive.
RWD fan @ Dec 12th 2007 11:01AM
Now if they can just locate the factory in a non-union, right to work state...
Andrew @ Dec 12th 2007 11:18AM
Agreed. Unions are the downfall of U.S. manufacturing.
bills @ Dec 12th 2007 11:06AM
At first glance I thought I was looking at The Alamo, and we all know what happened there. Alpha Romeo had better bring more quality to the table than what they were serving up before they exited the U.S. market many years ago.
lalaland @ Dec 12th 2007 11:27AM
America as the low-cost labor country of the world. Ha! Do we hear any Europeans bemoaning the "giant sucking sound" coming from across the Atlantic?
BowserUSC @ Dec 19th 2007 5:35PM
It's not that labor costs lest here, its that the dollar is so weak the cost of importing cars and then selling them for American prices wouldn't make them any money. So if the parts are American and the materials are bought on the American market, prices will be more favorable for the car company.
If a bottle of coke costs one dollar to make here and 1.25 to buy, and one euro in france to make and 1.25 euros to buy(just estimates), they wouldn't make any money on the european coke sold in the states. They would be making it for 1.4 dollars and getting 1.25 back. therefore loosing money.
Even if labor costs a little more here, its probably not going to outweigh the weakness in the dollar.
Thanks president bush for making it more affordable for european companies to sell cars in the US.
Luis @ Dec 12th 2007 12:03PM
I'm filling out my resume as we speak...
PassingAlong @ Dec 12th 2007 12:10PM
Poughkeepsie? Hmmmm.
Carlos @ Dec 12th 2007 12:23PM
This is great news, because we all know that even though Alfas are extremely beautiful they have the almost no reliability and they're retardedly expensive to fix.
No thanks
Flea @ Dec 12th 2007 12:58PM
a hint from an Italian who has owned the same Alfa for 4 years:
they are better at reliability today than you could immagine,
stereotypes are Alfa's and Fiat's worst enemies.
After buying my 147 I had to open my wallet again only for a new front lightbulb and winter tires.
But anyways, want great reliability? get a grey, boring Toyota or Honda. Alfas are for people who enjoy driving and don't do it just to get from point A to B.
Anton @ Dec 12th 2007 7:21PM
I've owned the latest gen Alfa for a few years - currently own a 159 Ti which is awesome.. My wife has a company Camry which is a massive disappointment (2 starter motors, 1 engine sensor and a new transmission in 18 months since new!). Believe me, the Italians are building exquisite, interesting and above all RELIABLE cars now. Can't wait for my V6 AWD Brera - arriving in August 08! The US will love these cars.
rgseidl @ Dec 12th 2007 1:51PM
They should build their new factory in New Orleans. On stilts. Chromed stilts.
Level @ Dec 12th 2007 2:00PM
I'm ok with Alfas coming to the US but dont try to fool me into thinking that Alfa is a BMW or Benz alternative...at the most its an VW alternative...over 100K for an Alfa Romeo you got to be kidding me....
MikeInNC @ Dec 12th 2007 2:00PM
They are welcome to come to Charlotte. I'd be happy to see new Alfa's running the roads of the US again.