News
Alfa May Build Some U.S. Cars in Mexico
GENEVA — Alfa Romeo may assemble some U.S.-bound cars in Mexico, according to company executives, who also hinted at a new model to celebrate the brand's upcoming centennial.
Although Alfa still hasn't locked up the product lineup for its return to the U.S. market in 2009, Sergio Marchionne, chief executive of parent Fiat, told Reuters the company is considering whether to assemble some models in Mexico, rather than export from Italy, to hedge the euro's steep rise against the dollar.
Two high-end models that are expected to come to the U.S., the 8C Competizione coupe and the just-unveiled 8C Spider, almost certainly will be shipped from Italy. Alfa is working on two new sedans, the midsize 149 and the luxury 169, and either of those cars might be a candidate for assembly in Mexico or another North American location.
In addition to the new Junior/Furiosa compact that will be unveiled later this year, Alfa's new boss, Luca De Meo, said the company expects to add another new model to mark its 100th anniversary in 2010, when Marchionne has decreed Alfa must boost its annual sales to 300,000 units.
What this means to you: Besides the U.S., Alfa is moving into other global markets. Last year, Fiat concluded an agreement in China with Chery Automobile, which includes a side deal for local assembly of Alfas for that market. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
Although Alfa still hasn't locked up the product lineup for its return to the U.S. market in 2009, Sergio Marchionne, chief executive of parent Fiat, told Reuters the company is considering whether to assemble some models in Mexico, rather than export from Italy, to hedge the euro's steep rise against the dollar.
Two high-end models that are expected to come to the U.S., the 8C Competizione coupe and the just-unveiled 8C Spider, almost certainly will be shipped from Italy. Alfa is working on two new sedans, the midsize 149 and the luxury 169, and either of those cars might be a candidate for assembly in Mexico or another North American location.
In addition to the new Junior/Furiosa compact that will be unveiled later this year, Alfa's new boss, Luca De Meo, said the company expects to add another new model to mark its 100th anniversary in 2010, when Marchionne has decreed Alfa must boost its annual sales to 300,000 units.
What this means to you: Besides the U.S., Alfa is moving into other global markets. Last year, Fiat concluded an agreement in China with Chery Automobile, which includes a side deal for local assembly of Alfas for that market. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »