Robert Lane Alfa closes

Started by MYAR156, April 01, 2009, 12:04:03 PM

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MYAR156


Is anyone aware that there are now only 2 dealers in metro Melbourne? Robert Lane Alfa recently closed quietly (this week?) and I am wondering what the future for Alfa is in Oz. Is this the thin end of the wedge as the GFC takes hold? Any details anyone?

lombardi

HOPEFULLY THIS IS NOT A TREND,AS IN SYDNEY ALFA ITALIA ALSO CLOSED without a whisper.ciao
forza lazio,viva l'alfa

Current Alfa=

Giulietta 2015 QV manual Ghiaccio

1974 Spider series 2 ,carabinieri blu





Previous Alfas=


33x4 1985 wagon
33 ti 1985
156 sportswagon manual red
Alfetta sportiva 1981 red
166 silver 1999

John Hanslow

Crickey, could not find them listed on the Alfa Dealer reference list for Victoria. 

Thankfully with a few specialists around, we will continue to get good service for the recent models.

Regards.

Now:
2011 Giulietta QV

Previously:
1989 164 3.0  V6
2002 156 Twin Spark Sports Edition
2002 147 Twin Spark
2002 916 Spider Twin Spark
1990 Alfa 75 Potenziata

John Hanslow

Drove past last night and that end of the car yard was in darkness and the showroom empty.  The yard appeared to be full of strange looking smaller 2nd hand cars.

No signage except a banner across the front of the showroom with 'SUZUKI' written on it.

Something is definitely going on.

Cheers.
Now:
2011 Giulietta QV

Previously:
1989 164 3.0  V6
2002 156 Twin Spark Sports Edition
2002 147 Twin Spark
2002 916 Spider Twin Spark
1990 Alfa 75 Potenziata

k76

The dealer in Newcastle has also closed down >:(
Apparently none of the other dealers in town have put their hand up becasue of the difficulty of dealing with the importer (If I heard correctly from someone who heard it from someone else etc)
'77 Alfetta GTV 2000
'82 Alfetta Sportiva
'04 147 TS

Davidm1600

All is fine down here in Tassie with our Alfa Dealer (Performance Autos), or so I believe.  They only recently opened brand new premises from which to sell not just Alfas, but Fiat, Porsche, Mercedes, and Subaru.  Dave
Current:
2003 JTS 156 sportwagon
1969 Giulia sedan (x2)
1969 AC Fiat 124 sport

Past: '76 Alfetta 1.8 GT 
        '76 Alfetta 1.8 Sedan
        ' 73 2L Berlina

Joe Garra

In this morning's Age, it's advertised as Zagame Brighton.
Now: 164Q
        Giulietta QV
Before : 75
            164
            33 16V
            Sud Ti
            99 Spider
            156 Wagon
            159 Wagon

Arese

Damn. be nice to be notified by Alfa Romeo Australia, or contacted by on of the other dealerships - feeling a little orphaned - especially since there are still a few unresolved warranty jobs that Robert Lane were working through. And that's twice now - first the Italian Motor Co, and now Robert Lane...and nary a word!

OK I know the GFC is biting pretty hard, but please look after those of us that are left!
Current:
2007 3.2 Brera

Past:
2003 147 GTA - that I still miss :(
1998 Spider T-Spark
1998 156 T-Spark
1985 75 - that I still miss :(

Personally responsible for non alfisti friends purchasing:
2 x 156
2 x 147
1 x GTV
2 x 33

1750GT

I think the GFC is actually affecting the car industry like a number of industries at the moment. Basically, dealers are finance orientated, whether it be offering finance to sell cars or considerable finance to keep cars on the floor. Banks are just not supporting any business that requries on going debt at the moment. In the case of Alfa Romeo this is not hepled by:

> Unlike other Euro's there is no factory backing. Alfa's are ditributed by an Australian agent. The distributer, in these times will basically pull back and support only those brands that provide value and profits. They are profit driven and if a brand/dealer is not performing then it goes to the wall. With the price of most new Alfa's in the 50K plus price range they are always going to struggle without a full range of starter vehicles in the 20 - 30K price point.
> As you may have read in the last couple of months of car sales numbers Alfa Romeo sales have not just dipped drastically, but basically flatlined. With the very low margins particularly for firstly non factory backed brands (that can dicount with factory backing and still make the same margin) and secondly for one make dealers, basically a number of dealers (and not just Alfa dealers) are closing their doors. I notice from David that the Tassie dealer has 4 or 5 brands which in Melbourne is unique as marques now require single brand recognition dealerships and if a dealer is lucky to have a number of brands they basically need their own showroom and identity (albiet that they are next door to each other?), which means higher overheads etc. however obviously the Tassie model is probably how it used to run in mainland city's and gave dealers more of a chance to be profitable, one sales force, one service department etc.

I better stop before I write a book on this subject!

1750GT