ALFA DITCHES SPORTS CARS FOR SUVS

[lombardi]

WHAT !    CHE ?

[aggie57]

Even Aston has an SUV now......

[poohbah]

Unfortunately, I doubt that even the Giulia will survive - at least in Australia. Read in the paper today that only 282 have been sold here so far in 2019.

Mind you, to put that in context, only 373 Jaguar XEs have been sold too, and no-one is suggesting they will pull out.

But the writing does appear on the wall for AR while its under the control of the barge-arse Americans. I fear our only hope is for the PSA merger to proceed and for AR to become its primary "sporting" brand.

[bonno]

Based on FCA 5 year plan (2022), there is no suggestion of cutting the models, including the GTV and 8C. Refer to slide 7 & 8  at the following link.
https://www.motor1.com/features/243788/fca-new-vehicles-until-2022/3030935/

[Brad M]

Based on FCA 5 year plan (2022), there is no suggestion of cutting the models, including the GTV and 8C. Refer to slide 7 & 8  at the following link.
https://www.motor1.com/features/243788/fca-new-vehicles-until-2022/3030935/

unfortunately that's the old plan from 2016/2017... i suspect we will be disappointed with the revised outlook for 2025

[Craig_m67]

Is there a link to something to anchor all this hysteria?

Personally, I don't mind the SUVs
Bring on full electric

Ditch whomever is responsible for Alfa in Aust., at the moment though - I don't know how or where I'd buy one if I was in the market and had been informed by somebody about the (minimalist) range.  Id also hate to be anybody trying to get warranty or service on a new one

Fucking idiots (Alfa Aust), they had one job....

[bazzbazz]

Fucking idiots (Alfa Aust), they had one job....

Couldn't agree more.

I mean even the last TV campaign was done in Italian so that nobody could understand any of it. Seriously, how F@#ked in the head can you be?

They are not just embarrassing but near criminal as to how they have destroyed the brand in this country.

And as poobah mentioned the sale of Giulias being only 282, one must ask, how many Stelvios have been sold in comparison?

[poohbah]

I posted this last month, when FCA held their quarterly results briefing which I went through:

Here's what CEO Mike Manley said:

"Now as you know, I have not been happy with the performance of Alfa Romeo and while I fundamentally believe in the brand, we must make sure that any investments that we make generate an appropriate return. Therefore, we have spent a lot of time and we are going to refocus a portfolio of actions for the brand to segments and geographies where we have successfully competed in the past and we will also maintain the brand premium position in the marketplace. Now as a result of this, in the need near term, the new portfolio for the brand is significantly scaled back with a corresponding reduction in capital spending. And I believe these actions will allow the brand to return to profitability. And while there are no product actions planned beyond what you see here, obviously I wouldn't rule out that possibility in the future depending on the performance."

And when you read the associated slides, that means dropping any successor to the Giulietta, maintaining Giulia and Stelvio for now, and maybe introducing hybrid or battery SUV versions.

I can't find the slide pack right now, but the slides I was referring to very clearly showed just SUVs and a sedan in their future offering.

[poohbah]

Found the link and the slide:
https://www.fcagroup.com/en-US/investors/events/quarterly_results_presentations/FCA_2019_Third_Quarter_Results_Presentation.pdf

[bonno]

The two documents differ, specifically with the introduction of new models planed over the period (refer page 17 versus slide 6). My view is that the 5 year strategic plan is the driver that is used for implementing the associated infrastructure for introduction of new models, whilst the other is a sales market and associated adjustment strategy for sales performance. In my opinion the commitment invested by FCA for implementing its strategic plan is what will drive the short term future of each individual make, ie; introduction of new tooling, plant, jigs, engines, etc (infrastructure).

With regards to AR ownership of new models here in Australia, it is quite clear that the dwindling amount of AR Dealers is the MAJOR concern.  A simple solution is that FCA change its strategy on combining its Sales and After Sales business operation to cover all makes, thus increasing the coverage of dealer networks in each state.

[Beatle]

I'm afraid it's not only Alfa, but (new) sports cars in general are just not what people want nowadays. 

[aggie57]

The two documents differ, specifically with the introduction of new models planed over the period (refer page 17 versus slide 6). My view is that the 5 year strategic plan is the driver that is used for implementing the associated infrastructure for introduction of new models, whilst the other is a sales market and associated adjustment strategy for sales performance. In my opinion the commitment invested by FCA for implementing its strategic plan is what will drive the short term future of each individual make, ie; introduction of new tooling, plant, jigs, engines, etc (infrastructure).

With regards to AR ownership of new models here in Australia, it is quite clear that the dwindling amount of AR Dealers is the MAJOR concern.  A simple solution is that FCA change its strategy on combining its Sales and After Sales business operation to cover all makes, thus increasing the coverage of dealer networks in each state.

Good point.  Certainly here in the US the situation is the same with dealers, as in reducing numbers and quality.  From what we read on other forums it seems the same in many other countries too.  Sadly for Alfa it seems the same story for decades.  The days of decent, reliable, knowledgeable dealers and service centres seems forever gone now.

[lombardi]

Sad But True  ( thanks Metallica )

[poohbah]

Just saw the final Oz sales figures for Alfa in 2019 - not great news.

Total sales down 30.3 per cent to 891 (from 1279), including 390 Stelvios and 29 4Cs - and that's an extra 50 Stelvios and 7 more 4Cs than the prior year. Haven't found specific figures for   Giulia/Giulietta sales.

75 cars a month nationwide, spread across ten dealerships, is pretty skinny.

[bazzbazz]

Well what do you expect with the worst advertising campaign in automotive history!

Seriously, its as if they were TRYING to destroy the brand.

Rant off!