RE: Alfa factory parts issue-longish

["Brian Shorey" <bshorey@xxxxxxxxx>]

hello all,

normally i try not to be contentious, but the whole concept of alfa doing
business in this country and us supporting them strikes a raw nerve with me.

> > In my opinion, for what it's worth, we should all be supporting the few
> > remaing Alfa part sources.  I can understand buying aftermarket parts in
a
> > pinch or if the cost of the Alfa part is much higher than a quality
> > aftermarket part but we all know, or should know, when we need to change
the
> > oil (I have an Alfa filter and a quart 15/50 Mobil 1 in the trunk).  Pep

why not the selenia oil that alfa sells?

> > Boys may sell an oil filter for your Alfa but they will never replace
your
> > Alfa parts seller.  For a few more $$$ you should buy Alfa parts from an
> > Alfa parts seller.

if we all went to pep boys and requested alfa parts, and they could make a
profit on them, then they'd sell them to us.

<snip>

>     Hopefully this won't be perceived as SPAM but in my recent direct
> talks with Alfa Romeo (CEO and Parts Director, -I met with them
> Wednesday) the whole concept is simple, Supply parts and service support
> as long as it is practical and profitable. There is no obligation for

the same concept as with the cars.  no commitment to the customer base, just
here to make money.  i think you need both to become a viable business with
a loyal customer base.

>them to stay here after the warranties are finished, and they are. These
>folks have to show Fiat a profit to justify the expense of 4 salaries,
>the 1000 sq feet of office they keep, overhead, etc. They have a
>positive attitude about staying and have encouaraged me to try to expand
>what we do here. Basically, they operate as a seperate unit of Fiat and

of course *they* have a positive attitude about staying, they loose their
jobs if they don't sell parts.

<snip>

>     I think it's sometimes an issue of people not believing that ARI
> will ever leave. These aren't Chevys. You now own an orphan marque, and
> must adjust your habits to that. Some stuff, like GTV-6 coolant bottles,

i gave up relying on alfa for parts long before they left town.

i liken alfa/fiat to your typical software company, great engineering, great
product, lousey marketing.  all in all, i think alfa/fiat management is a
bunch of pussies who run away from a challenge.  anybody but a complete
idiot could make a profit selling italian sportscars in this country,
especially with a marque like ferrari under your wing to sell them
alongside.

whenever a company runs away from competition and sells their product into
weaker markets, it's an indication that over time their product will weaken.
by demonstrating a complete lack of committment to the largest car market in
the world they've only ensured that if they ever come back they'll always be
greeted with suspicion.

sorry for the negativism, but alfa romeo let me down big time when they
pulled out.  i see no reason to make charitable donations to them.  i'll
support ereminas, centerline, iap, ricambi, etc, who seem to be here because
they care.  i'll pull parts off the parts cars i've been accumulating
(because i *had* to, to guarantee availability, something i can't rely on
alfa for anymore).  and if, someday, i can no longer keep them running, i'll
turn them all into garage queens and buy a porsche, bmw, or audi (now
there's a company that showed real committment) to drive.

bs

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