US: Fiat discussing Alfa Romeo assembly with one of Detroit Three
Tuesday, March 25, 2008, AutomotiveWorld.com
According to the Financial Times, Fiat Group's chief executive says the company is discussing potential build of Alfa Romeo cars in North America with GM, Ford and Chrysler but as yet, no partner has been selected.
Sergio Marchionne says the company plans to start local build by 2011 or 2012.
"I've always had the view that we had to produce in America," he told the FT in an interview. "Nobody making anything in Europe is going to make profits in the US," he added, referring to the ongoing weak dollar/strong euro dilemma for Europe-based OEMs.
Marchionne says plans to launch the Alfa Romeo brand in the US have been delayed until 2009 with production to follow, though he does not expect profits in this first stage.
"I can suffer the loss initially, as long as I know I'm going to be producing enough," the Fiat chairman told the London-based newspaper.
The FT has not been able to gain a response from any of the Detroit Three, following remarks from Marchionne that Fiat Group has talked to all of them about building Alfa Romeo vehicles at one of their underutilised plants.
"You don't even need a full hand to count them, so let's assume that we know them all and we talk to them from time to time about a variety of options," Marchionne stated.
Alfa Romeo withdrew from the US in 1995, selling only 400 cars that year, the FT notes.
Published on Tuesday, March 25, 2008
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