Alfa Romeo is returning to the US market in about a year, offering the zooty 8C Competizione and 8C Spider atop a range of less spectacular offerings. While the top-end 8Cs will probably be Italian emigres, the 149 and 169 sedans could be put together in Mexico. Alfa doesn't have a hard and fast decision yet, and could pick another site, even one in North America. Moving the labor to Mexico for the volume sellers might prove to be a wise move on Alfa's part. The dollar continues to take a beating, pushing up the cost of European items on US sales markets, and building somewhere else would sidestep some of those increased costs. Alfa is trying this idea in China, too, where Chery will assemble automobiles for that market. We're all for it if it gets the keys to some stylish Italians in our hands while holding the prices down. The quality can't be any worse than it was in the bad old days that led to the notorious reputation for unreliability that afflicted Italian marques. Besides, those shop queens were so joyous to drive, they made suckers out of all of us, and we'd do it again, given the chance.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ben @ Mar 8th 2008 12:35PM
the lines on this look right off the solstice.
Kip @ Mar 8th 2008 12:38PM
"Besides, those shop queens were so joyous to drive, they made suckers out of all of us, and we'd do it again, given the chance."
+1. Everytime my Alfetta Sport Sedan was in the shop or waiting for me to fix it, I swore I'd get it running and sell it. All it took was the one test drive to check the repair and I was hooked all over again.
Alfa Romeo - crack has nuthin' on us!
LDMAN @ Mar 8th 2008 1:14PM
I would not hold my breath on this one. Fiat's stock lost 16% od its value this year and its CEO declared a tough year ahead. Frankly, the current range of Alfa products cannot really compete (except 8C).
shiftright @ Mar 8th 2008 4:34PM
I feel strongly that you are out of touch with modern Alfas, and it's not just my opinion. Euro car magazines have consistently ranked the US bound 159 as a top pick in its class against the A4, C Class and 3 Series. The whole range is stunning to look at, great to drive, and the quality and fit and finish would silence any non-believers. Other than Saab, there are no non-German euro brands in the US, and new blood would be welcome by American looking for something with a little more flair and individuality. I hope they build them in the US vs Mexico, but then again, most of the VWs sold here are built south of the border, and no one complains about VW quality, although their reliability is a another matter. My greatest concern is for Alfa's dealer network, which in years past, here and abroad have done a fantastic job of exacerbating any weak points.
Yago Bal @ Mar 8th 2008 5:53PM
What about the 530% (yes, five hundred and thirty percent) stock rise from April 2005 to July 2007?
I wonder how you missed that...
Chad @ Mar 8th 2008 1:20PM
Hey, here's an idea. Since Alfas are premium cars anyway why not spend the extra money and build them in the U.S.?
Tom @ Mar 8th 2008 9:58PM
Well first of all, I think the question Alfa would be asking is... Why not SAVE the extra money and build them in Mexico? Second, I would call Alfa a sub-premium brand. They're more of an Italian Saab than an Italian BMW.
Noidor @ Mar 8th 2008 1:33PM
Why build them in US? It's still more expensive even if you take into account the falling dollar. FIAT is in the business of making money not providing jobs at a loss.
But whatever the case may be, they can bring the Alfas here, problem is most Americans won't be able to afford them, or any other big ticket items. This is likely to continue while fed keeps on creating inflation, and while government keeps up this reckless spending.
Interesting to note that with falling demand for petrol, with US supplies at 14yr high the prices are still going up. Inflation at 2%? Yes, sure, and Britney Spears isn't a drugged out lunatic.
RWD fan @ Mar 8th 2008 1:43PM
Maybe Americans will start entering Mexico illegally to get on these assembly lines. Think the UAW will organize 'em?
shirtman @ Mar 8th 2008 1:43PM
One of the best cars i ever drove was a 77 Spyder, that is until it broke down on the test drive. but then again the American cars at thet time were not that much better. Since then, we have come to expect better quality.I hope they can measure up.
Mark Murray @ Mar 8th 2008 2:17PM
"...even one in North America."
Mexico is part of North America.
Rick @ Mar 8th 2008 8:23PM
Not is some people had their way. Conversely, if you believe the globalist theorist types, Mexico will become part of the US, or whatever they decide to rename it.
almost Dr. G.. @ Mar 8th 2008 2:37PM
noooo dude! mexico is south america and canada is north america!!
we should organize an online geography course and a grammar course while we're at it...
psarhjinian @ Mar 8th 2008 5:21PM
@Westside.
Read Dr.G's post again. Insert "the" before instances of "America". Then think about the "poor grammar" phrase.
Jorge @ Mar 10th 2008 11:54AM
Almost, you need a crash cours on geography bad, there is something between North America and South America, and is called Central America. And Mexico is in fact part of North America. You need your facts clear before writting.
>noooo dude! mexico is south america and canada is north america!!
we should organize an online geography course and a grammar course while we're at it...
Westside T.O. @ Mar 8th 2008 5:09PM
Uh, no you need the online courses! Mexico IS in fact part of North America. At least you knew about Canada...
Enrique @ Mar 8th 2008 2:38PM
Maybe this might sound biased given I am Mexican. But from what I have read, cars built in Mexico show really good reliability. Cars like Fusion, Milan and Accord, to name a few are recognized for their quality. And even though it is pretty easy to joke and attach to clichés... there are a lot of us Mexicans with postrgraduates abroad and really good work ethics... Besides, being short on jobs makes us work harder, we have free trade agreements with half the World and the Mexican Peso is attached to the US Dollar (which is fortunately or unfortunately weaker than the Euro)... thus I feel Mexico can be a wise option for any car manufacturer.
2004m3driver @ Mar 8th 2008 5:28PM
Hell, quality products are made everywhere. Not bashing on Mexico, but even Vietnam makes reliable products. It all depends on management and engineering. The foundation of a reliable plant has already been established. Its not like these things are going to be built by hand.
psarhjinian @ Mar 8th 2008 2:39PM
The problem that the Europeans had in the 70s and 80s wasn't so much quality (they sucked, on average, about as much as the Americans and South Koreans) as it was support.
When your Chevy or Dodge broke down, you were two miles to the dealer and six hours from a complete repair. If your Renault, Lada, Alfa, Skoda or Innocenti bought it, you were a hundred miles from a dealer and two months waiting for parts. The only reasons the Germans and Swedes didn't get chased back along with the French, Italians and eastern Europeans is that they had decent logistics.
If Alfa hops the pond, they will need something like a decent parts and dealer network, because I really doubt they'll be challenging Honda or Ford in quality.
shiftright @ Mar 8th 2008 4:33PM
I agree the dealer support is the biggest issue Alfa faces. I can attest however that the quality is not an issue. I live in the US and the UK, and I've driven several modern Alfas, and their quality is above any domestic manufacturer, as it should be, since as a premium motor, they are comparatively more expensive.