Fiat's finalised merger with Chrysler means it now faces a "moment of truth", says a senior Italian trade union leader.
The secretary general of the Metal Workers’ Union in Turin, Frederico Bellono, told the Financial Times that Fiat “is on the brink. If the premium strategy works, then that’s great, but if not Turin could end up like Detroit”.
Bellono was referring to Fiat’s plans to expand into the profitable global premium sector by relaunching Alfa Romeo and Maserati and, in doing so, underpinning Italy’s crumbling automotive sector.
Last year Fiat made 400,000 cars in Italy, a total far exceeded by Nissan’s Sunderland facility in the UK.
John Elkan, chairman of the newly established Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) group, was quoted as saying the Alfa relaunch was at “an advanced stage” and “the time to relaunch Alfa has come”. He also emphasised that Italy would be at the centre of the manufacturing investment.
Last week, FCA boss Sergio Marchionne said the sales performance of Maserati showed that his premium market push was working, claiming that the brand was now generating “higher margins” than Ferrari.
Marchionne has twice cancelled plans for a family of all-new Alfa models but is poised to unveil the definitive launch plans at the end of April.
A new rear-drive and all-wheel drive platform for Alfa is being developed under the name Giorgio, according to Automotive News Europe. The platform is geared towards creating economies of scale for Fiat, and will also be used by the Chrysler and Dodge brands.
Join the debate
Add your comment
Send this one to the USA Please
viva Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili... for sure
hope dies last
I drove a Polo for two weeks
Ali_ wrote:I drove a Polo for
It might be aging but I can't think of a sensibly priced car which has (design-wise) that's aged better, it looks as fresh now as it did in 2005.
C2_Matt wrote: It might be
Which makes it still a decent enough base for the Punto, but not for an Alfa. The 8C inspired styling sits on the Corsa derived proportions very poorly IMO. Great from the back and sides but the front is far too high and chubby. It makes the face that looked elegant on the 8C look like a hamster with mumps on the MiTo! MiTo was meant to be a return to the days of the Alfasud but the one thing the Sud had in spades, amazing, class defining handling, was completely missing. Make it a Fiat again and let Alfa begin with the Giulietta.
Ali_ wrote:C2_Matt wrote: It
It's always the case with Alfa. From certain parts of every alfa they look stunning but they managed to bludgeon the look from different angles. I remember the brera from concept to actual car and it just didnt sit right at all from the side and that fat rear. Strangely in spider format it looked so much better. But you can tell half the design is always going to be comprimised when they have no budget to play with, but why would they when they don't make profit?