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.
The 164 platform was jointly designed and used by Alfa (164), FIAT
(Thema/Chroma I think), and Saab (9000). Pre-acquisition.
Alfa Romeo is a case study in bad decision making and government
intrusion (like many car companies, but particularly those Italian
ones). We can lament the death of what was Alfa Romeo as an indepenent
marque, or celebrate that it was purchased and kept alive. One thing
is certain; FIAT purchasing Alfa Romeo saved the brand. It kept the
brand Italian. How many of you would drive an Alfa Romeo made by TATA
Manufacturing of India? I almost vomited writing that sentence.
Alfa and FIAT did horrible jobs of meeting the demands of the USA
market. From my perspective I was always amazed at how they thought it
was reasonable to ask people to buy expensive cars from dealerships
that were a step above a trailer park.
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