Alfa's U.S. Return Delayed!!!!

[MAXLTV@domain.elided]

September 2, 2001

Alfa's Return Is Put on Hold
By WILLIAM J. HOLSTEIN

THE Alfisti are going to have to wait a while longer.
Alfisti are lovers of Alfa Romeo cars. They dote on their aging Spiders and 
GTV's and praise the virtues of the Italian marque on dozens of Web sites, 
including the "Alfa Babes" club for women (http://
clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/alfababes).

Alfas have not been imported since 1995, but their fans still celebrate the 
cars' blend of passion and engineering. Alfas are currently sold in Europe, 
Latin America and Japan.
Alfa Romeo was formed in 1915 when Nicola Romeo bought Anonima Lombarda 
Fabbira Automobil. Fiat has owned Alfa since 1986, and General Motors holds a 
20 percent stake in Fiat. G.M. and Fiat are coordinating their purchasing and 
working toward joint production of engines and transmissions.

Beyond that, Ronald Zarella, G.M.'s president for North American operations, 
has chatted in recent months with well-heeled car enthusiasts about bringing 
Alfas back to the United States.

At Mr. Zarella's direction, G.M. executives had begun talking with Fiat and 
Alfa executives about which models might be imported and through which 
showrooms they might be sold. One possibility was that Cadillac dealers, in 
need of models to draw younger buyers, would handle Alfas, as well.
But then G.M. stunned the auto industry last month by appointing Robert A. 
Lutz, a highly regarded auto executive who was instrumental in turning 
Chrysler around in the 1990's, as vice chairman in charge of product 
development. Mr. Lutz is expected to take full control of G.M.'s auto lineup. 
His first priority is likely to be the cars that G.M. has under development, 
making any quick decision on Alfa unlikely. Indeed, G.M. spokesmen confirmed 
recently that it was too early to discuss any details of Alfa's possible 
return.

So at least for a while, the Alfisti will have to content themselves with 
warm memories of cool cars.

 
(The above is from the New York Times) 

-Don 

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