Henrik B. wrote:
> Alfa Romeo går åbenbart hårde tider i møde:
>
http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle.aspx?AR=246768
>
> "Fiat SpA plans to merge Alfa Romeo, Abarth and Maserati under one
> sporty sub brand, according to reports.
>
> Abarth and Maserati CEO Harald Wester has today been appointed by
> Fiat as CEO of Alfa Romeo and Auto News claims company sources have
> said Wester's new role will be to identify synergies between the
> three brands.
> Wester, who is also chief technology officer for the Fiat group, will
> play a key role in shaping Alfa Romeo's future.
>
> Fiat is currently undergoing a strategic review of Alfa and will
> publish the results in April when Fiat announces its group plans from
> the next five years.
>
> One option for Alfa could be to share platforms with Chrysler and
> have its 166 replacement built in the US.
>
> The other option is for investment to freeze on developing new models
> once the Giulietta is launched, leaving Alfa with only the Giulietta
> and Mito to keep the brand alive into the latter part of the decade.
> Its older exiting models, including the Brera, GT and Spider, would
> continue to be sold but won't be replaced.
>
> At the Detroit motor show, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne told Autocar
> that several options were still available for Alfa.
>
> "Alfa has been underperforming for a long time," he said. "It has
> been the most difficult part of Fiat's recovery, even though on paper
> it looks so attractive. The marque isn't for sale, or anything like
> that.
> "It's our problem. But we do have to rethink our objectives and be
> realistic with ourselves before we do anything else.
>
> "First, I want to see how well we do launching the Giulietta. From the
> technical point of view it's a huge step forward, but I want to see
> how it fares. And I want to see how we can take advantage of that
> through the company."
Det er jo det jeg har brugt det seneste års tid på at forsøge at forklare
dig: Nichefabrikker er ikke nemt at gøre lønsomme.
Uanset om de har en fanskare nok så stor.
--
- Frank