Alfa, the underachiver?

Originally Posted by Pud237

As long as Alfa struggles on, doing just enough to live but never enough to really succeed I will be happy. I'm an Alfa driver, not a Fiat shareholder.

What Pud said

It gives me smile.
in these depressing times,
Too sit at the wheel
and knowing it`s mine
and the way I feel
its an achiver by a mile.


John.

Originally Posted by toby2449

ok, no surprise Alfa isn't exactly setting the world alight with its sales right now.

The 147 is old, the trio of 159,Brear & Spider have failed badly & the GT is probably on its last legs. However how many out there think Alfa will ever break into the big league, & finally take on the BMW's, Audi'a etc of the automotive world?

I seem to recall that when the 156 came out it made Alfa a major player - this immediately after the 155 what - rightly or wrongly - was poorly viewed.

It would only take 1 car and Alfa could be back on song - but they really c**ked up with the launch of the 159/Brera - overpriced and under-promoted

By the way - what ever happened to the Alfa 'roll-out' of new dealers etc.

Although I think their current poor sales are to do with not getting the 149 out

Originally Posted by Kevin Slegg

I seem to recall that when the 156 came out it made Alfa a major player - this immediately after the 155 what - rightly or wrongly - was poorly viewed.

It would only take 1 car and Alfa could be back on song - but they really c**ked up with the launch of the 159/Brera - overpriced and under-promoted

They followed the 156 up with the 147 - a worthy successor and perhaps a more successful car than the 145, as was the 156 with the 155. Then the GT, which has been a success for Alfa.

Originally Posted by Kevin Slegg

Although I think their current poor sales are to do with not getting the 149 out

Is it just me or does "149" sound crap? 156, 159, 147, even 169; they all sound cool, but 149 sounds crap. Maybe the delay is cause they can't think of a good name

Well this is an Italian company with all the problems that pertain to that.....still it could be worse, Alfa Romeo could have been a British company......

I think Alfa is a niche brand, which has it own benefits to the parent company. It's past reputation is still lingering (quality, or lack of) and the dealer network is really holding it back on reaching sales potential!
From my experience and from what I hear, I can't understand how Alfa is still in business with their customer service levels... Just need an alternative dealer network (with good back-up from the body corporate) that is actually competent, and Alfa will probably do well (but still not a german beater)!

I hope not.

Ralf S post sums it up for me

They have built a reputation for toughness, and reliability, over decades, The 'Tiger' was a helping hand in this? Whether it's accurate now or not, is immaterial, they have it, Porker's, Mercs, Beemer's,Auto Union,Vee Dubs,not sure they will ever loose it?:

Check out this (One Unhappy Bunny!!!)thread. That's an example of why I wrote what I did