Marchionne on Making Alfas in US

[araknd]

Long form article from Michigan.

Sergio Marchionne: New Alfa Romeo will be built in United States, likely in Michigan | MLive.com

[sloboy89]

He's talking tough. Perhaps either to set us up to be crushed or just to gain leverage at home:

"The next days of Alfa, the way in which it becomes a full, legitimate, premium brand, is by coming to the U.S.," he said. "And the U.S. now, because of what we have been able to do with Chrysler, has got first dibs — and probably undeniable dibs — to try and play as the producing country for the relaunch of Alfa.

"We're now looking at the United States as being not only a production hub for Alfa, but also the basis on which the brand itself is going to be relaunched. That car is going to be manufactured in the bloody United States. If we had done this on our own — and I mean Fiat now — out of Europe, we would have been dealing with a much more restrictive market."

Marchionne: Fiat needs to take a cue from Chrysler | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com

[F1 Tommy]

Looks like alfamaven was pretty close on his information and comments.

Tom Tanner/Ferrari Expo 2012-Chicago March 17th 2012

[alfamaven]

f1 Tommy,
My commentary is based on excerpts from various conversations and pics that I run across along with SM's speeches and analysis of scenarios that transpire such as production shifts or HW's observations. For example, SM's latest pronouncement that a larger alfa could be made in Michigan suggests that a new flagship originally proposed to be made at Brampton ONT could be shifted to Sterling Heights MI as it was recently expanded for possible alfa production. The original chrysler LX platform isn't suitable for export, so they will probably use an extended C-US Wide platform for it or a new D platform. Another example is FG's intention to use runflat tires on all new vehicles. This is going to be a big mistake as runflat technology is half-baked and costly for owners. On my new Kamal cuv I am going to refuse them and use Yokohama suv tires with Slime tire sealant at the dealer. That is simply more cost effective.

[F1 Tommy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfamaven f1 Tommy, My commentary is based on excerpts from various conversations and pics that I run across along with SM's speeches and analysis of scenarios that transpire such as production shifts or HW's observations. For example, SM's latest pronouncement that a larger alfa could be made in Michigan suggests that a new flagship originally proposed to be made at Brampton ONT could be shifted to Sterling Heights MI as it was recently expanded for possible alfa production. The original chrysler LX platform isn't suitable for export, so they will probably use an extended C-US Wide platform for it or a new D platform. Another example is FG's intention to use runflat tires on all new vehicles. This is going to be a big mistake as runflat technology is half-baked and costly for owners. On my new Kamal cuv I am going to refuse them and use Yokohama suv tires with Slime tire sealant at the dealer. That is simply more cost effective.

[MALDI]

Auto Italia had an article a few issues back on the new "Lancias" in the UK which are just Chryslers made in the US with different bodies and Lancia badges on them.

So, will our new "Alfa Romeos" be merely Chryslers and Dodges with the hallowed Alfa Romeo script plastered on?

Chrysler TC by Maserati anyone?

[F1 Tommy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MALDI Auto Italia had an article a few issues back on the new "Lancias" in the UK which are just Chryslers made in the US with different bodies and Lancia badges on them. So, will our new "Alfa Romeos" be merely Chryslers and Dodges with the hallowed Alfa Romeo script plastered on? Chrysler TC by Maserati anyone?

[MALDI]

Quote:

Originally Posted by F1 Tommy Sort of like an Audi is just a Volkswagen with more options and a Audi logo on it?

[ncundy]

Not strictly true; Lancia as a name is not being marketed in the UK - all are being marketed as Cryslers.

The Chrysler Delta and Ypsilon are Lancias with Chrysler badges on (or more correctly the Lancia varients of Fiat Group cars as sold in Europe). In the UK they are badged as Chryslers, so we also have the Chrysler Grand Voyager and 300C.

Chrysler UK - www.chrysler.co.uk

In Mainland Europe they are being marketed as Lancia so they have the "new" Lancia Thema which is a re-badged 300C.

Lancia New Thema

As a Lancia fan (so fellow FG sufferer) I admire your optimism on FG's plans for Alfa in the 'states, but should you be in the business of holding your breath I would make your last will and testament now and say goodbye to your family

[MALDI]

Yes, ncundy, you are right.

[alfamaven]

SM has already said that alfa is going to remain true to its heritage. In the case of US manufacture there will be improvements made such as Mopar 409 stainless exhaust systems tuned italian style rather than original Magneti Marelli mild steel. Mopar will handle replacement parts for both Chrysler and Fiat Group vehicles. Performance parts will probably be Mopar.

[Arna]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfamaven SM has already said that alfa is going to remain true to its heritage.

[Pat Braden]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arna I wonder what "heritage" he is referring to. Is it the one that's given us fwd, badge-engineered Fiats for the last two decades? Or is it the one that's given us light-weight, independently designed sports cars from the 60's, 70's and 80's?

[alfamaven]

Alfas won't be badge engineered. Parts may be similar to Chrysler designs but won't be interchangeable. The 1.8 liter aluminum alloy turbo is in fact a crate engine that is exclusive to alfa built in Italy. Heritage means quick, nimble performance for the serious driver as it has been regardless of rwd or fwd. That's why alfa has been established as one of the ten greatest marques in the world. BTW some of them no longer exist. Alfa will return in 2013 starting with the cuv, followed by a revised MiTo with a five door variant, giulia sedan/sportwagon, and a new spider at about six month intervals through 2014. Giulietta isn't eligible.

[Del]

"Giulietta isn't eligible"

And yet, the new Dodge Dart will be based on a Giulietta for the most part. Figure that one out. Is it because in order to make a Dodge, the Giulietta must be degraded to the extent that no one else would like it except the DOT?

I think instead it is just really poor marketing by Fiat, as the base car is still the same. We could have had the Giulietta in the showroom along side the Fiat 500.

What are they smoking?