US Fiat Dealers Worried About Alfa Romeo Delay

[William Maley]

US Fiat Dealers Worried About Alfa Romeo Delay

William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

September 19, 2011

Alfa Romeo is currently in a state of chaos. Last year, Alfa's parent company, Fiat promised the brand would make it's debut in the US in 2012. Then earlier this year, news came about CEO Sergio Marchionne wasn't happy with the designs of the new Giulia midsize sedan and wagon, causing the car to be delayed to mid-2013. Then in June, a new Alfa Romeo product plan for the US came to light, showing the majority of products would arrive sometime in 2013.

Now, Alfa Romeo CEO Harald Wester tells Automotive News that there will not be an Alfa Romeo model on US soil until 2013.

What makes this even worse? Fiat forgot to tell their dealers in the US about this. Dealers were expecting Alfa Romeo to help broaden their offerings.

Most dealers aren't exactly pleased with the delays.

"Right now I'm pretty disappointed because I have a pretty big investment in Fiat. I built my store predicated on the fact there would be more than Fiat." said Carl Galeana, owner of Fiat of Lakeside in suburban Detroit and a member of the Fiat Advisory Committee, the dealer council.

A CEO of a dealer group said,

"This delay is not positive for dealers who have invested and committed to the Fiat franchise."

Other dealerships aren't worried about the delays.

"Most of my customers are just happy with what we have. Fiat is a stand-alone vehicle anyway, and it works out well. We'll have an Abarth coming," said Louis Perez, lead salesperson at Fiat of Portland in Maine.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)