Ateco Group Returns Alfa Romeo And Fiat To Factory Distribution

[Victor Lee]

Andrei Zaitzev (Ateco's GM for Alfa Romeo) has now officially advised me and AROCA of the new arrangement for AR. 

See the full Press Release below.  He also advises that there will be no change at the existing dealerships for at least several months.  Andrei thanked the Club for it's support and promotion of the marque.

The full press release:

ATECO GROUP RETURNS ALFA ROMEO AND FIAT TO FACTORY DISTRIBUTION

Australia and New Zealand's leading independent car distributor, the Ateco Group, will transfer Australian and New Zealand distributorship of the Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Fiat commercial vehicle brands to the factory-owned Chrysler Australia (CA) on 1 May 2012 after successfully returning the three brands to the Australian market.

Following the Fiat Group's takeover of Chrysler the new Group is combining its distribution arms in all major markets and concentrating on those, such as CA, that are factory owned. The changes to Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Fiat commercial vehicle distribution will have no effect on the distribution of Ferrari and Maserati, which will remain with European Automotive Imports.

All existing Fiat and Alfa Romeo dealers will move with the brands to CA, while arrangements for staff at Ateco who worked exclusively on Alfa Romeo and Fiat will be made on an individual basis.

THE HISTORY OF FIAT AND ALFA ROMEO IN AUSTRALIA

Fiat left the Australian car market in 1989, followed by Alfa Romeo's departure in 1992 after the Fiat Group decided that neither brand was a viable proposition for the local market under its own factory administration despite an Australian history that dates as far back as 1901 for the Fiat commercial vehicles.

In 1995 Neville Crichton started negotiations to return Alfa Romeo to the Australian market culminating with the launch of Alfa Romeo in 1997 with the arrival of the Alfa Romeo Spider and GTV models. Fiat returned to Australia in 2001 with the launch of the Fiat Ducato commercial vehicle range and Fiat cars made their debut in 2006 with the Fiat Punto. In New Zealand, Alfa Romeo and Fiat came under Ateco's control in 2000.

During the intervening years Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Fiat commercial vehicles have developed a strong position in the Australian and New Zealand markets. As well as car sales, Fiat has built a strong role in the Australian and New Zealand motorhome business, with no less than eight Australian motor home builders using the Fiat Ducato as the basis for their vehicles.

[Victor Lee]

... cont'

"There is no doubt that without Ateco, the Fiat Group could not even consider returning Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Fiat Commercial Vehicles to factory distribution," says Neville Crichton, the Executive Chairman of the Ateco Group. "Ateco has proven to them that all three brands have a long term place in the Australian and New Zealand markets, that there is consistent and growing demand for their products and that Australia and New Zealand have, once again, got a key role to play in the company's global aspirations."

Although Ateco has built a strong reputation for launching and developing car brands over the past three decades with Volkswagen, Audi, Suzuki and Kia all spending time under Ateco to develop and grow their position in the Australian market prior to the launch of parent company distribution, Ateco has enjoyed a unique relationship with Alfa Romeo, with Neville Crichton playing a major role in Alfa Romeo's worldwide marketing programme for more than eight years.

[Victor Lee]

... con't

This press release goes for a bit longer but I'm having trouble even posting two paragraphs without getting an error!

So I've included it as an attachment instead.  Sorry!