Re: Alfa US Sales (Stand up and be counted subset)

[JHertzman@domain.elided]

In AD7-1437 Joe Italiacars Corbacio asks "Here is a question and see if 
people will answer honestly. In the last 10 years that Alfa sold cars in 
North America 1985 - 1995 how many people on this list purchased NEW Alfa 
Romeos? Used don't cut it. Stand up and be counted, you did your part to keep 
Alfa in North America."

1985-1995 I bought a Milano (1987) and a 164, but the 164 doesn't count as 
"my part to keep Alfa in North America" because (1) I wouldn't have 
considered it if it hadn't been $10,000 off sticker, which is hardly an 
incentive for the marque to forsee a profitable future, and (2) I didn't 
think of it as an Alfa. I don't know how much of the $10,000 was the dealer 
cutting his losses and reclaiming real estate, and how much was ARDONA 
incentive to move inventory, but either way it did not augur well, in 1992. 
None of the erstwhile competition drops 36% off list to move genuinely 
competitive merchandise that soon after introduction. 

I briefly considered (in 1990) trading the Milano Platinum on a Verde, but 
the dealer wouldn't consider taking an Alfa as a trade-in on an Alfa, which 
was hardly a ringing endorsement of the marque's marketability in his view.

My previous "news" were a Super in '67, a GT Veloce in '71 (replacing a 
Giulietta) and a Berlina in '72 (replacing the Super.) Four cars in twenty 
years. Still have the 164 (which I will probably keep, in view of its 
depreciation, and it is a nice car) and the Milano (which I will keep, no 
probably about it) and the Berlina and the Veloce (both overdue for 
restoration, but worth it.) Do I want, or would I buy, any of the current 
Alfa-brand products? You guess.

John H.
Raleigh, N.C.

------------------------------