Jap bashing and Alfa returns

["Greg Stewart" <gt_veloce@domain.elided>]

A couple of points to ponder:

- - those who would bash Japanese cars for being boring are missing the point: 
  99.9% of car buyers want nothing other than a reliable  appliance.  
Depending on the state of their stock portfolio, it might be a more 
luxurious appliance and/or constitute a badge of socio-economic status (Look 
at me!  I'm driving a Lexus!), but it is still an appliance.  These buyers 
don't care about handling, or absolute performance, or the history of the 
marque, or cutting edge technology, or great engineering.  They will not 
tolerate idiosyncracies, nor frequent trips back to a surly dealer for 
overpriced service, nor appliances that don't start when they're late for 
work and have to drop junior at daycare.  For these people, Japanese cars 
are ideal.  Inumerable surveys and studies (see JD Power, etc) have shown 
that Toyota and Honda build the most reliable cars in the world.  Ever try 
to price a used Accord or Camry? Try 0 depreciation after  There's nothing 
wrong with these people, their priorities are simply different from your and 
mine.

- - For Alfa/GM to succeed in North America, they need to do several things 
right.  First is to push the 145/146/147/whatever line.  People under 30 
don't remember/weren't around for the days of insta-rust bodies and 
bowl-o-spaghetti electrical systems, and have fewer biases for/against both 
countries and brands.  This model range should be topped by a 
Veloce/Quadrifolio derivative that has at least 175 hp, 4 wheel disc brakes, 
and comes loaded.  This car should become the new standard in the "hot 
hatch" category, and be as desireable amongst Generation Y'ers as Acura 
Integra GSRs and VW GTIs.  The point is to create a halo effect that spills 
onto the base models ("my 145 base model is almost as cool as the Veloce").

The second thing neccessary is to sell a truly potent version of the 156.  
General Alfa should take aim at the M3 and Audi's S4 and create something 
equally as good.  Again, the point is to
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