Re: alfa return- a suggestion

[MAXLTV@domain.elided]

Dave Mericle's article was much appreciated, and points up the difficulty of 
a return by Alfa. However, there is a lower cost alternative for Alfa (which 
I doubt they would consider, but what the heck.) 
Do what some Japanese and Korean manufacturers have done when invading 
America for the first time-keep to a geographic area that they can focus on, 
test the waters, and then expand. No matter what the success rate is, they 
should stick to large metropolitan areas where a sustainable base of consumer 
and dealer support can be maintained. Forget trying to be a continental power 
here, with dealers in Podunk selling a handful a year. That'll keep 
advertising costs down, too. 
And keep the model range tight-no "specials," just a coupe and a spider 
shipped one way with no options, reasonably equipped, and forget the sedans. 
Americans think Alfas are junior Ferraris, and there is absolutely no point 
in fighting that perception.   

I think if Alfa had at least held on until that time when the 164 series 
ended, and the new Coupe/Spider range could be brought in, they would have 
enjoyed some reasonable success, and would not have left. Spiders have sold 
reasonably well, even when the design became positively ancient. It will be 
far more difficult to pick up where they left off, sign up dealers again, and 
begin anew. However, there is always that chance, and if their newfound 
success in Europe continues, the temptation to re-enter the U.S. market will 
be very strong. 

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