"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
07/02/2016 at 11:02 • Filed to: Fiat 124 Spider
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"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
07/02/2016 at 11:02 • Filed to: Fiat 124 Spider | 3
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Had FCA gone ahead with the plan of making the Fiata an Alfa Romiata, we would have recieved 50th anniversary launch editions commemorating 1966 production start date of the original Alfa Romeo Spider. However, since all Alfa’s must be built in Italy, Fiat got the car and avoided breaking the contract with Mazda. It happens that the Fiat 124 Spider also has the same 1966 production start year as the Alfa so I would say this bait and switch was planned since the beginning.
In a nutshell, Sergio screwed over Mazda and we’ll never see these two companies work together on future projects. Which was stupid of FCA since Mazda makes the vehicles they need! Fuel efficient, fun to drive, well thought out sedans and small CUVs. No hybrids or turbos needed! Now Mazda is working closer to Toyota and Sergio killed off his golden goose in order to sell an MX-5 and boost the Fiat brand (which can now sell their cars at any Chrysler dealership, so there will be a convertible next to the Challengers and no need for a Chrysler 200 Convertible).
TheTurbochargedSquirrel
> Wobbles the Mind
07/02/2016 at 11:13 |
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How is making the FCA version of the Miata a Fiat instead of a Alfa screwing over Mazda?
vondon302
> Wobbles the Mind
07/02/2016 at 11:14 |
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True but 200 convertible is no loss though.
FromCanadaWithLove
> TheTurbochargedSquirrel
07/02/2016 at 11:18 |
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Maybe the brand isn’t as desirable, but I’d argue the Fiata is going to sell better than a Mialfa would have.
Roadster Man
> FromCanadaWithLove
07/02/2016 at 11:22 |
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I dunno the distinction between Fiata and Mialfa is, but in the end I highly doubt the new Fiat roadster will sell as well as the new Miata.
Hopefully plenty of people will wreck their 124's and those sweet little Abarth turbo engines will be on the market for a cool swap someday...
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Wobbles the Mind
> TheTurbochargedSquirrel
07/02/2016 at 11:34 |
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Because the vehicle was supposed to be in the $38k luxury roadster segment, undercutting the TT, SLC, and Z4 while being comparable to those models in top trim. Instead, FCA moved it down and it now competes directly with Mazda’s most iconic and branded model. That’s like Ford and Toyota agreeing that Ford will build the Mustang and let Lexus use it for their $40k starting priced RC model (taking it into a different segment), but then after everything is signed and set up, Toyota deciding to make it a Toyota Celia Coupe and selling it starting at $26k and optioning up to a $32k twin-turbo V6 variant.
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TheTurbochargedSquirrel
> Wobbles the Mind
07/02/2016 at 11:51 |
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As far as I am aware the contract was just for FCA to be able to sell a vehicle on the Miata platform. Alfa currently has virtually aero brand value in America which would make it really hard to sell a luxury version of a miata under that brand. Fiat has a reputation of building cute little fun cars which fits the kind of car the miata platform creates. A $35-$40000 miata would not sell and both mazda and fca understand that.
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Wobbles the Mind
> TheTurbochargedSquirrel
07/02/2016 at 12:10 |
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I may be overly sensitive to these types of business decisions simply due to how I treat associates and accounts. There is a difference between business legality and business morality which can be found in a leader’s integrity. As a consumer, it doesn’t matter on what terms (implied or documented) a product is made as long as it’s humanly done. However, not showing integrity in the way you work with others means you kill future opportunities to work with others. Thus we continue to watch FCA pushing around puppies and being surprised when they become large dogs that comeback to bite them in the ass. I just want to live long enough to see Chrysler not worrying over survival is all.
Also there is a large enough gap for a premium roadster to undercut the $40k-$50k, 240 hp, luxury roadsters. It’s the same type of gap that luxury midsize sedans have created which ended up allowing Hyundai to create an entire brand.
Kanaric
> Wobbles the Mind
07/02/2016 at 13:20 |
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On the plus side this is being sold when the only Alfa hitting the streets is the 4C. I am almost of the mind the cars are becoming vaporware. I did see a Giulia on the street today though on 95 north in Nevada. Chrysler tests cars around there often so maybe there is hope.
Alfa needs to make a small coupe for me to consider them. I’m not holding out hope for that either.