Posted on Friday 20 April 2007
Speaking at a recent management awards ceremony in Italy, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed that he hoped to build Alfa Romeo models in China in a possible partnership with Chery Automobile. First reported by Italy’s Finanza & Mercati, Marchionne was quoted as saying “the idea is good and we will do it, but first we have to be sure the Chery plant produces real Alfas and this requires a great commitment on our side both in terms of quality and engineering.”
Fears of quality issues in China’s auto industry is still of great concern, but Fiat has already had some dealing with Chery surrounding its alliance to build engines. “Now we’re aiming at developing a partnership for the Alfa brand,” Marchionne said. Fiat also previously formed a partnership with China’s Nanjing with the Nanjing-Fiat Auto joint venture, but latest reports suggest that Fiat is set to sell its shares with Chery the most likely buyer.
Fiat has lost substantial ground in the Chinese market to manufacturers from Germany and the US, where its rival’s mid-sized sedans are proving popular. Although there’s been no mention of what models would be produced, one of the models is expected to be the new 159. Marchionne also revealed that Fiat was considering launching a new low-cost car under its Innocenti brand for the European market, claiming “it’s one of the opportunities we are assessing.”