From: George Graves <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [alfa] This is deeply disturbing
To: "John Brase" <[email protected]>
Cc: [email protected]
Date: Thursday, December 3, 2009, 3:21 PM
Look, Alfa Romeo is just another global bland...er brand these days. The
heart
and soul of the company was gutted from it when Fiat took over and decided
to
base Alfas on Fiats and to go to FWD. I mean for Alfa Romeo to go from
being a
company that built products that were the best in the world in their day
(and
the pre-war Ferrari in prestige, cost, and racing heritage) to being a
re-badged Chrysler product, is quite a fall from grace. Fiat has
mismanaged
the company since they bought it - at least the Italian government left
Alfa
alone (more or less) when they had the helm.
Two things have led to the demise of Alfa.
1- The Italian Government.
The Italian's government decision to increase employment by Alfa producing
cheap cars that competed with FIAT in the early 70s. They may even be
responsible for the rusty metal, problem depending on what you read.
2- Anything designed under Rudolf Hruska.
The Alfetta and Alfa Sud pretty much destroyed Alfa's reputation in the
70's.
The ARNA didn't help either!
In 1986 even BMW ran away from buying Alfa because there was nothing. These
are the same people who later bought Rover.
Also, Alfa was going front wheel drive before FIAT's purchase. The 164 was
designed prior to the acquisition of FIAT. Lets not forget the Sud was front
wheel drive also.
Robert
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