RE: Make Alfa Romeo Great Again: PH Footnote
Discussion
Ares said:
This is all part of the branding - the dealer network is woeful, but it takes time to rejuvenate, and whether we chose to accept it or not, the UK is a tiny part of the market for FCA. Chicken/Egg.
No way will they build a multifloor glass palace with only 2 models to push, doing it along with Maserati may be a solution, but it would be unprecedented. Give it a couple of years, a couple more spicy models and some traction in F1, then they'll have global momentum and as long as too many brits don't write them off from a position of utter ignorance, maybe the UK will get a part of that.
So where are they aiming to get the huge increase in sales from? Italy? They have a woeful reputation in the US following the relaunch and are niche at best - an entry-level exotic and often twinned with Maserati. China the brand has little reputation and no appreciable presence, same in Japan. The product range doesn't support expansion and the network (globally) appears not to be ready even if in the next 5 years they do get their act together. I can't see how they can even spend their way out of the issues they have. No way will they build a multifloor glass palace with only 2 models to push, doing it along with Maserati may be a solution, but it would be unprecedented. Give it a couple of years, a couple more spicy models and some traction in F1, then they'll have global momentum and as long as too many brits don't write them off from a position of utter ignorance, maybe the UK will get a part of that.
Macboy said:
Ares said:
This is all part of the branding - the dealer network is woeful, but it takes time to rejuvenate, and whether we chose to accept it or not, the UK is a tiny part of the market for FCA. Chicken/Egg.
No way will they build a multifloor glass palace with only 2 models to push, doing it along with Maserati may be a solution, but it would be unprecedented. Give it a couple of years, a couple more spicy models and some traction in F1, then they'll have global momentum and as long as too many brits don't write them off from a position of utter ignorance, maybe the UK will get a part of that.
So where are they aiming to get the huge increase in sales from? Italy? They have a woeful reputation in the US following the relaunch and are niche at best - an entry-level exotic and often twinned with Maserati. China the brand has little reputation and no appreciable presence, same in Japan. The product range doesn't support expansion and the network (globally) appears not to be ready even if in the next 5 years they do get their act together. I can't see how they can even spend their way out of the issues they have. No way will they build a multifloor glass palace with only 2 models to push, doing it along with Maserati may be a solution, but it would be unprecedented. Give it a couple of years, a couple more spicy models and some traction in F1, then they'll have global momentum and as long as too many brits don't write them off from a position of utter ignorance, maybe the UK will get a part of that.
Still very popular in the US. Having spent a chunk of time in France, Italy, Switzerland and the US in the last 6 months, there are more Giulias evident on the roads in the US than in Europe, also a far greater dealer network - 3 within an hour of my Brother's house in Chicago - 2 twinned with Subaru, one stand alone.
As for woeful reputation, can't comment, other than among the guys I met, did business with and rode with, they were all filled with compliments about the Alfa.
As I said before, it's Chicken & Egg. They've invested €10-figures...so far it's gone on the cars, now they need to up the service. Little point in spending a fortune on a dealer network with nothing to sell, especially when, like it or not, an ever greater proportion of cars are sold without the purchaser visiting a dealer!
Ares said:
This is all part of the branding - the dealer network is woeful, but it takes time to rejuvenate, and whether we chose to accept it or not, the UK is a tiny part of the market for FCA. Chicken/Egg.
No way will they build a multifloor glass palace with only 2 models to push, doing it along with Maserati may be a solution, but it would be unprecedented. Give it a couple of years, a couple more spicy models and some traction in F1, then they'll have global momentum and as long as too many brits don't write them off from a position of utter ignorance, maybe the UK will get a part of that.
I meant a Fiat group glass palace, not just Alfa. Make it multi brand in other words. Even include Chrysler if they must, though I'd be tempted to keep it all Italian. The UK is a big market for performance saloons/ Coupes and SUVs. Look at BMW in the UK if you think otherwise. The Giulia and Stelvio are great products but if they don't match the Germans on quality in every area (even if that quality is only perceived) they will remain an also ran No way will they build a multifloor glass palace with only 2 models to push, doing it along with Maserati may be a solution, but it would be unprecedented. Give it a couple of years, a couple more spicy models and some traction in F1, then they'll have global momentum and as long as too many brits don't write them off from a position of utter ignorance, maybe the UK will get a part of that.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff