Inside the industry: Why it's time for another Alfa Romeo reboot | Autocar

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Inside the industry: Why it's time for another Alfa Romeo reboot

The news is no better elsewhere around the globe: Alfa’s modern-day high point in European volume terms came in 2001, when it registered 205,431 cars. Pre-pandemic, it managed just 54,365 in 2019, and 35,718 in 2020. Numbers are still being collated for last year but are expected to be around 25,000 – an eighth of where Alfa was 20 years ago, despite at least two ‘reinventions’ since then. US registrations will struggle to double that number.

Chip supply and stoppages in production have played a part but, most worryingly, the current rebirth has been led by thesaloon and Stelvio SUV. It was one thing struggling for sales with mediocre machinery, but to be floundering when the cars are well styled and decent to drive – and promoted via marketing budgets that take in a substantial presence in Formula 1 – highlights the depth of the problem.

 

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class to look at as ever but prices today need a readjust for confidence to return...new Tonale a case in point, prob going to be priced 35-40k...a lot of quality cars cheaper to buy and realistically more reliable

I've heard plenty of stories from Alfa and prospect Alfa owners having awful dealership experiences. To the point where at a 'town hall' type meeting the CEO added a little rant about the local Alfa dealers. Fix the dealers and put a Kia style warranty in and let everybody know.

NigelGlover71

Sort out the dealers who are indifferent at best in my experience and try to live down to the Italian stereotype of can't be arsed. My 159 was actually reliable and I loved it but trading up meant going to a main dealer and no sportwagon estate any more.

alfa_romeo AlfaRomeoUK AlfaRomeo Need to make a small sexy city car. Need to get an entry level car in it’s range to challenge Corsa, Mini, Fiesta, Polo, 208, Yaris etc But not design it so it’s bug open eyed like the Mito. Fun is needed ! like … VW Up GTi, Panda 100HP

Win concept of the year etc. Then make it heavy & underpowered. Such a missed opportunity with Brera. Same with the AlfaGT

If I were in the market for a new car, I wouldn't have a clue where to go to get an Alfa. I don't think I've ever seen a dealership.

Two of the best days I had of owning my 156 was the day I bought it and the day I sold it.

Alfa still have the best looking and driving car in its class with the Giulia. And have addressed the infotainment issues with the 2020 facelift. There’s huge public love still for them, especially now that they’ve got the product right.Stellantis must invest in dealers/warranty

Keep making great looking, great driving cars and BMW drivers should flock there once their lease deal ends and they can’t stand getting into a buck-toothed ugly POS.

Estate?

Sell brand to Tesla

Electric

Have more than two models?

Alfas are still beset by the awful reputation garnered in the 1970s. The Germans are still banking the reputation they built in the 1980s. Neither one is still deserved.

Brought my Giulia QF☘️ end of last year. Superb car in every way … but shocking after sales service from the Alfa Romeo dealer ! Luckily I’ve found an independent Alfa Romeo specialist who can look after her ! 😎🇮🇹🇮🇹😎

Stop building shit would be a good start

I love this green & wish Honda built it.

The fact that Cupra, a rather confused brand with a dodgy badge, outsold Alfa in their first year in the UK last year says it all. Dealers are an issue for many.

Badge presence rules over everything here unfortunately. If it aint a VW/Audi, Merc, BMW or Ford then it isn't in an majority of peoples interests.

A Premium, sports brand, with a terrible reputation for reliability and (essentially) just two models. Hmmmmm… Someone else said this, but increase your warranty/inclusive maintenance to give some peace of mind! Reduce focus on performance cars and increase focus on mainstream?

Add free 5 year service and maintenance and increase warranty to 5 years. Show customers you believe in what you make and passionately stand by your product. Sales problem solved.

UK people seem to make herd-like choices. Many UK people likely still believe Alfa's rust like old Lancias, being the same Italian cars. Alfas are beautiful cars made for people with discerning tast rather than stuck with the mindset that it has to be German to be 'good'.

Have Alfa produced an EV yet?

Make cars people actually want - where’s today’s equivalent of the Alfasud!?

Maybe Alfa Romeo have been privy to too many reboots over the past decades, and all seemingly to no avail. While Fiat/FCA/Stellantis et all have consistently denied any support to Lancia. And even with a one car range, ages old and sold only in Italy, Lancia still outsells AR!

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