Alfa CEO says brand could top 500,000 annual sales
Reprints
Print
Respond
“In the past you have heard several times Alfa promising such growth figures, but this time we have the right conditions, the right products and the right synergies to get there,” Alfa CEO Harald J. Wester told the Automotive News Europe Congress here last week.
Alfa's owner, Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A., is targeting 500,000 annual sales for its sporty brand in 2014, up from just over 100,000 in 2009.
Wester, who is also CEO of Fiat subsidiary Maserati, said Alfa's product offensive will help the brand, which this month celebrates its 100th anniversary, to boost volume.
In the next four years, Alfa will launch six new products – a five-door version of the MiTo subcompact; the Giulia mid-sized sedan and wagon to replace the 159, a new Spider, a medium SUV and a large SUV.
Wester said synergies with Chrysler group will help Alfa, which will benefit from economies of scale within the Fiat-Chrysler alliance that it never had in the past.
Alfa's new Giulietta compact hatchback is based on a new compact platform that will underpin annual production of 1 million Fiat, Chrysler and Alfa vehicles.
Wester said Alfa's new cars will have more safety and comfort features and more legroom in the rear.
The brand's latest model, the Giulietta, achieved a five-star rating in the European New Car Assessment Program (EuroNCAP) with high scores for adult and child occupant safety, pedestrian protection and safety assistance features.
You can reach Luca Ciferri at lciferri@crain.com.
