Autoblog

Alfa Romeo GT Cabriolet unearthed as the project that could have saved Bertone

Noah Joseph — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Europe, Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo GT Cabriolet - Click above for high-res image gallery

The image of wafting around the Italian countryside in an open-air cabriolet is inextricably intertwined with our typical notion of Italian motoring. It's somewhat surprising, then, that there wasn't a single four-seat convertible on offer from Italy's automakers until the relatively recent introductions of the Fiat 500C, Ferrari California and Maserati GranCabrio. But there nearly could have been, if only Alfa Romeo had given this project the green light.

This one-of-a-kind cabriolet prototype based on the Alfa GT was only recently revealed by Bertone. The relatively simple chop-job would have given Alfa a four-seat convertible in its range, and given Carrozzeria Bertone the lifeblood it so desperately needed. But instead, Fiat passed on its production and ended up buying Bertone's coachbuilding operations as the latter comprehensively restructured.

In its place, Alfa opted to go with the Spider as a two-seat convertible version of the Brera, designed by Giugiaro and built by Pininfarina - Bertone's two greatest rivals. And while that model may be the handsomer of the two, both its driving dynamics and performance in the marketplace never managed to keep up. From 2005 to 2010, Alfa sold less than 22,000 examples of the Brera, and from 2006 to 2010 only 12,000 Spiders, while the GT coupe has sold over 80,000 units from 2003 to 2010. Would a GT Cabrio have proven more successful? Impossible to tell now, but Carrozzeria Bertone might still be around if it had.

Gallery: Alfa Romeo GT Cabriolet

[Sources: AutoWeek, OmniAuto.it]

Alfa Romeo GT Cabriolet unearthed as the project that could have saved Bertone originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Fiat may use next Chrysler 300 platform for Lancia, Maserati

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:20:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, Maserati, Lancia

The last time Chrysler and Maserati got together, America was blessed with what appeared to the entire world to be little more than a gussied-up two-seat Chrysler LeBaron convertible with a removable hardtop and opera-style windows. Apparently, since that last marriage between Detroit and Modena proved so, ahem, successful, reports indicate that the two companies may once again join forces now that Fiat controls proceedings at both the Trident and the Pentastar.

According to Automotive News, Fiat has plans to build 50,000 vehicles per year at the former Carrozzeria Bertone near Turin that it procured a few months back. That output will be made up of two sedans - one carrying a Maserati badge and one sold as a Lancia - that will be based on the rear-wheel drive underpinnings of the next Chrysler 300.

Both vehicles will reportedly use versions of the upcoming new V6 engine from Chrysler, the first application of which will be in the 2011 Grand Cherokee. The Lancia could be a replacement for the current Thesis sedan while the Maserati would theoretically slot below current Quattroporte.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]

REPORT: Fiat may use next Chrysler 300 platform for Lancia, Maserati originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Fiat wins bid for Bertone

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, Fiat

2007 Bertone Fiat Barchetta concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to the Wall Street Journal, Fiat has beaten out two other finalists and has won the bid for bankrupt design house and small-scale auto manufacturer Carrozzeria Bertone. The Italian Economic Development Ministry said in a statement that Fiat was chosen as the winning buyer due to its proposed three-year 150 million Euro investment into the company and the promise to keep Bertone's 1,137 workers on the job.

Intriguingly, Economic Development Minister Claudio Scajola further said that Bertone's manufacturing unit will be "[integrated] with Chrysler for the production in Italy of some models for the American auto company." The mind reels with the possibilities of Italian-designed and built Chryslers flooding American showrooms - for better or for worse.

Gallery: 2007 Bertone Fiat Barchetta

[Source: Wall Street Journal - Sub. Req'd]

REPORT: Fiat wins bid for Bertone originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fiat reportedly to axe Bertone name if bid accepted

Noah Joseph — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Earnings/Financials, Fiat

2007 Bertone Fiat Barchetta concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

When you're dealing with a company as established and reputed as Bertone, the whole is much more than the sum of its parts. Apparently Fiat feels otherwise, as the rapidly expanding Italian auto giant eyes its latest target strictly for its assets.

According to a statement supposedly issued from the company's press office, if Fiat succeeds in its bid to acquire Bertone's contract manufacturing operations - currently in receivership following bankruptcy proceedings - it will not use the Bertone name and only absorb its Grugliasco assembly plant, along with its skilled workforce, into its corporate structure. Any inference from the Bertone takeover applied to Fiat's acquisition of Chrysler would of course be pure speculation, but the move would surely be good news for the recently separated Stile Bertone design studio responsible for the Mantide concept.

Gallery: 2007 Bertone Fiat Barchetta

[Source: Autocar]

Fiat reportedly to axe Bertone name if bid accepted originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Jul 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fiat back in the mix as Bertone manufacturing unit goes up for sale

Noah Joseph — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Earnings/Financials, Fiat

Bertone Mantide - Click above for a high-res image gallery

You could say that Fiat's on a bit of a spending spree lately. While everyone else is struggling to trim expenditures and sell off divisions, Fiat's been buying them up. So after moving in at Chrysler's headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and making offers for GM's European and Latin American operations - including Opel and Vauxhall - it should come as no surprise that the Italian automaker is at it again, this time placing a non-binding offer to acquire Carrozzeria Bertone.

The offer is one of five currently being entertained by Italy's oldest coachbuilder and the courts administering its bankruptcy. Among other bidders reported are Domenico Reviglio (the Gruppo Prototipo chief who was slated to buy the company last year), former Lancia CEO Gianmario Rossignolo, Chinese automaker FAW and an additional unspecified Spanish concern. It is also not the first time Fiat considered rescuing Bertone after a previous attempt failed over two years ago.

Although the reports remain somewhat ambiguous, it appears that the unit in question is only the contract manufacturing division Carrozzeria Bertone SpA, a separate unit from the Stile Bertone design house under the Gruppo Bertone umbrella.

Gallery: Bertone Mantide

[Source: Automotive News Europe - Sub. Req.]

Fiat back in the mix as Bertone manufacturing unit goes up for sale originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bertone design division goes independent

Noah Joseph — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal

The future of Bertone has taken a big step in the right direction on the road to recovery with the company's design division, Stile Bertone, spun off as a separate entity. Ownership of the newly independent design house will be split between the Bertone family (49.5%) and the Italian courts (50.5%), with former Aprilia motorcycle chief Teresio Gaudio coming in as managing director.

Gaudio's task will be to increase the company's bottom line by decreasing overhead and increasing revenue, but that's a whole lot easier said than done. Further workforce reductions will be required. Developing markets like India and China will play a big role in the atelier's future, as the company's expertise is still highly valued in such countries. However, Gaudio says it will be several years before Stile Bertone returns to the black, while the courts will maintain ownership for at least three years. Meanwhile the Italian courts are still looking for a buyer for Bertone's manufacturing division, where 1,300 employees are currently being supported by social security.

[Source: just-auto.com - sub. req'd]

Bertone design division goes independent originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bertone sale undone by Italian court

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 08:03:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Plants/Manufacturing

Just three weeks ago it was reported that Bertone company head and family heir Lili Bertone had concluded a deal to sell the money-losing company to Domenico Reviglio of Gruppo Prototipo. A court in Turin, Italy, the home of both companies, has canceled the sale saying that Lili attempted to sign over more of Bertone than she had a right to.

Lili Bertone signed over 65-percent of Carrozzeria Bertone and 100-percent of stylist Stile Bertone to Reviglio, in exchange for 35-percent of a new Reviglio-controlled company called Keplero, which would own both Bertone companies. The problem is, Lili Bertone only owns 20-percent of the Carrozzeria. The other 45-percent is owned by the Bertone family, which includes Lili's daughters Barbara and Marie Jeanne, who are the ones who sued to stop the sale.

We have no idea why the daughters would sue to stop the sale of a company that was headed for oblivion. It's possible that, with Lili selling the company without their consent, they likewise weren't represented as proper shareholders in the new deal, but again, that is complete speculation. What we do know is that we hope Bertone gets itself sorted out before it goes away for good. Bertone and Reviglio have ten days to appeal.

[Source: Automotive News - sub req'd]

Bertone sale undone by Italian court originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jan 2008 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bertone may build vehicles for Chinese automakers

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 15:57:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Truck, China

Legendary Italian coachbuilder Bertone hasn't been doing so well, lately. Since 2005, it has only made a limited edition run of 2,000 MINIs. The company needs to make 30,000 cars per year to break even, and so has lost more than 37 million euros during that time.

In an effort to turn things around, the carrozzeria is in talks to build Chinese SUVs and pickup trucks for the Italian market. DR Automobiles Groupe is an Italian company that imports cars from Zhejiang Gonow Automobile. If it can strike a deal, Bertone would build two vehicles: the Katay Gonow Victory, an SUV based on the previous-gen Isuzu Rodeo (pictured), and the Katay Gonow Troy, a crew-cab pickup version of the Victory. They would only be contracted to build 7,000 of them, but it could help stave off complete disaster. Still, building vehicles for the Chinese is a long way from styling Italian exotics.

[Source: Auto News, sub req'd]

Bertone may build vehicles for Chinese automakers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Sep 2007 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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