A large part of what is said here is true. But to put in context the almighty question, 'Why?' Let me share some thoughts I have on the matter.
One day strolling on the outskirts of Bologna, Italy, on my cherished Malaguti motorino, I stumbled into a used car dealership where they had on display in the show room a wonderful, bright red, SZ Zagato. Fascinated with this car, I commented to the salesman in Italian 'Che bella macchina!' What a beautiful car! I then asked somewhat facetiously, 'Is it fast?' The salesman, with a look of disbelief said in Italian 'Certo e veloce, e una macchina di competizione!' Now this can be translated in several different ways. But for me it was a laugh to get this guys response. So basically he is saying 'Of course its fast, its a racing car!' But it can also be taken as saying 'Of course its fast, its a competitive car! A competitive car? Hmm. You can say 'A racing car' in a different way in Italian, but he chose this way. So I pondered to myself this concept. What was Alfa trying to attempt by building this car, and what did this guy mean? I was very familiar with the drive train of this car because it was very similar to the much loved GTV6 engine and drive train of the glorious '80's with numerous European Touring car championships. But the SZ when campaigned by Alfa, couldn't compete with the new Mazda RX 7's, and were soundly beat on the track. And so it was commented in the motoring press at the time that this particular drive train was obsolete, even when they tried to boost the horsepower with CC's and turbo charging. And I know the salesman knew this. So what did he mean? In my own personal opinion, I truly feel that Alfas and Fiats have been misunderstood. I think to call them badge-engineered Fiats is a little unfair. I mean, Italy, like any other country, albeit the size of Arizona, wants to compete in a world market, but with the world economy as it is, especially in Europe, it is becoming evermore difficult to the point of impossible. Just recently on Italian television on a morning talk show, they commented that the sentiment of being 'Made in Italy' is no linger true. Many products are being outsourced, just recently closing a Malaguti plant in Emiglia-Romagna, sending thousands of hard working people to 'Cassa Integrazione', mandatory retirement. They decided to outsource them to Thailand. In Termini Imerese, a town outside of Palermo, Sicily, they have closed a Fiat manufacturing facility, doing much the same as Malaguti, but outsourcing the products produced there to China. And the Fiat 500's as we know are being built in Toluca, Mexico, the home of Joaquin Guzman 'El Chapo' Mexico's most notorious drug lord that has just recently made the Forbes 500 list as being one of the richest men in the world, worth about '1' billion dollars. But for Italy to survive and compete with the rest of the world, they decided to do this. Is it right? Well, as a consumer I always enjoyed buying things because: it was 'Made in Italy', but of course you always paid a little more, but being 'Made in Italy' to me was always neat. Today one can't say this. Everyone in the world is entitled to make a buck, this is what founded America, and what made America great, even during the worst of times, and Italy knows this, and very well mind you. Many people of the world know American history better that American people do, don't ever forget it. But Fiat had a great opportunity with the Fiat 500 to put many hard working Italian people to work and they chose not to. All because they want to compete in a world market. But is it fast? Yes, of course its fast! Where have you gone Lapo, your nation turns its lonely eyes to you. > Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2012 06:39:32 -0800 > From: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [alfa] yech! .. George G. hit the nail on the head! > To: [email protected] > CC: [email protected] > > I wholeheartedly agree with George G. and his missive on corporate DNA. You lose a generation of workers, and the DNA is dead. > > His cited some excellent examples (Fisher et al) to support the belief that the Alfa Romeos we drive are the last of an incredible run by a fantastic group of Italians that kept the company running through two world wars. I believe a lot of the problems we face in the world today are due to the selfish "me generation" and an unwillingness to work together for a common goal. Badge engineering is the brain child of weak people in positions of power out for their own gain. I think there is even someone running for President who's daddy ruined Studebaker (remember the Avanti!) yet loves to crow about his business acumen and family legacy. > > > If the world is ever going to produce Fishers, Alfa Romeo's, and other similar products, the silent majority must exert themselves and put an end to the selfish me first madness. Thanks George for being so eloquent on behalf of innovative companies and their place in human history. > > Pete > -- > to be removed from alfa, see http://www.digest.net/bin/digest-subs.cgi > or email "unsubscribe alfa" to [email protected] -- to be removed from alfa, see http://www.digest.net/bin/digest-subs.cgi or email "unsubscribe alfa" to [email protected]
