Alfarati/Maseromeo
Discussion
The recent announcement of the Maserati/Alfa Romeo partnership has me worried. Whilst both are very desirable marques with a great tradition and history, the current Alfa model line-up doesn't bode well for platform sharing between the two companies. The new "premium" platform is great news for Alfa Romeo, especially as it gives the bigger engined models the option of four-wheel drive. However, Maserati have a tradition of building high-end GTs with the odd mid-engined sportscar and four door saloon thrown in for good measure. Do we really want to see the Maserati brand being diluted by offering BMW 3 and 5 series rivals? I certainly don't. It's been a painful road of recovery for Maserati after it went down this one-way street in the 1980's. I like to think of Maserati as the Italian Aston Martin. Both have a similar track history of producing gorgeous GTs whilst trying to keep the bank manager from the door. Rather than platform sharing with Alfa, I'd really like to see some decent investment from it's new partner, developing the Quattroporte platform that was already being modified for the replacement GT/Spyder. Perhaps it should even go up-market rather than down. How about bolting a couple of Alfa's new 3.2 litre V6s together for an all conquering V12? Why not, Aston did something very similar with a couple of Mondeo V6s and have produced one of the greatest engines of the modern era. I hope that the two companies use Aston Martin as a template from which to build Maserati into a prospering builder of desirable motor cars. I fear however, they may follow Ford's direction with Jaguar. Whilst many of Jaguar's woes are due to styling that is stuck in the past, it cannot be ignored that producing a 3 series rival and focusing on diesels and estates has taken away a large chunk of the desirability away from the marque. Maserati is now at a crossroad. I hope it chooses the right direction.
Discuss
Discuss
Well, Alfa Romeo don't even have any dealers in the US (as far as I'm aware), so that's at least one problem for them.
I can only assume (and hope) they'll continue to be sold from Ferrari dealerships.
At present, many Alfa dealerships are shared with Fiat. Not the sort of place you'd want to buy/service a Masser.
I can only assume (and hope) they'll continue to be sold from Ferrari dealerships.
At present, many Alfa dealerships are shared with Fiat. Not the sort of place you'd want to buy/service a Masser.
Based on experience of my local Alfa dealer. My wife has a 156 and I have had occasion to utilise the local dealership (which shares forecourt space with a Fiat dealership).
The facilities are from the dark ages, with a showroom big enough for only 2 cars. The fixtures and fittings would be out of place in a charity shop. (however, on the occasions I've used them I have been pretty pleased with the service!).
I guess I shouldn't judge all Alfa dealerships on the experience of this one......but I don't ever remember seeing an Alfa dealership "fit" to sell a semi-exotic marque such as a Maserati.
Maybe I am being a snob, but I'd want better facilities if I was shelling out my hard earned on a new Maserati.
Just my view
The facilities are from the dark ages, with a showroom big enough for only 2 cars. The fixtures and fittings would be out of place in a charity shop. (however, on the occasions I've used them I have been pretty pleased with the service!).
I guess I shouldn't judge all Alfa dealerships on the experience of this one......but I don't ever remember seeing an Alfa dealership "fit" to sell a semi-exotic marque such as a Maserati.
Maybe I am being a snob, but I'd want better facilities if I was shelling out my hard earned on a new Maserati.
Just my view
Twin Turbo said:Fair enough.
Maybe I am being a snob, but I'd want better facilities if I was shelling out my hard earned on a new Maserati.
If the facilities really were bad, then it's not deserving of any car, let alone a Maserati. But at the end of the day a spanner is a spanner and a ramp is a ramp - if it can open a bolt in an Alfa it can open a bolt in a Maserati. The only possible compromise I see if is they cut corners with the workforce - Maserati mechanics are probably more skilled and highly trained than Alfa mechanics, and for good reason I guess - the Maserati will have more complex mechanicals. The Maserati dudes should also be briefed in the need for greater attention to detail and all-round "think of the customer" than your average mechanic.
Unless the Alfa monkeys are given a Gransport manual and told to go change a cambelt, then I don't think there's a problem.
sek said:In the same way Ferraris are Fiats or Lamborghinis are Audis? Hehe - I was in a Murci last Sunday and I assure you it's like no Audi I've ever been in...
I'm very gloomy about the prospect of Maseratis being reduced to badge engineered Alfas.
I guess the relationship and the model placement between Alfa and Maserati remain to be seen, but Fiat are well aware of Maserati's legacy and the connotations of the name and I don't expect that to be diluted. If anything, I expect to see Alfas raised up a notch.
D
-DeaDLocK- said:
Twin Turbo said:
Not the sort of place you'd want to buy/service a Masser.
Is this a snob-esque statement or is it grounded in some merit?
Most aren't even fit to sell Alfa's, they are just Fiat dealers really. The facilities are usually poor, they tend to have over packed car parks where you can just about fit your car in. The staff don't seem to give a ****, you can stand at a service desk for 10 mins while they pretend they haven't seen you arrive. In the JD Power survey, the dealers are the main gripe from owners.
>> Edited by sjn2004 on Wednesday 9th March 18:52
"Unless the Alfa monkeys are given a Gransport manual and told to go change a cambelt, then I don't think there's a problem."
Yes that would be a problem- how to get a belt onto the chain sprockets.
Unless they used it like the "tin of elbow grease" and "left handed spanner" wheezes on the YTS erks. Could ask them to decoke the turbos as well.
>> Edited by IanA on Wednesday 9th March 23:08
Yes that would be a problem- how to get a belt onto the chain sprockets.
Unless they used it like the "tin of elbow grease" and "left handed spanner" wheezes on the YTS erks. Could ask them to decoke the turbos as well.
>> Edited by IanA on Wednesday 9th March 23:08
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