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Mike Sinclair6 Mar 2014
NEWS

MX-5 Alfa could be a Fiat

Doubt over which badge Fiat Group's MX-5 partner car will wear
The car co-developed with Mazda’s new generation MX-5 could wear a Fiat badge, but it will go ahead. That’s the reading from statements made by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne at the Geneva Motor Show overnight. 
Originally set to be developed, styled and badged as an Alfa Romeo, the new roadster was anticipated to share its platform with the all-new MX-5 but feature a Fiat Group powertrain and unique bodywork. It was to be built alongside the Mazda in Japan.
But now an Automotive News Europe report citing FCA “insiders” claims the Italian marque has had a rethink. The issue is centred on Marchionne’s pronouncement that no Alfa Romeo will be built outside of Italy.
The suggestion is the new car will be badged Fiat, or perhaps even Abarth, the company’s performance offshoot. In the past, Fiat has sold roadsters under both the Spider and Barchetta model names.
Speaking at a round table at the Geneva Motor Show, Marchionne described the leak regarding the change as “an indiscretion”. He refused to comment on the detail of the change itself but reiterated both his belief that Alfa Romeos must be built in Italy, but also FCA’s commitment to the Mazda co-project.
“It’s [the co-developed car] potentially still part of the Alfa plan, as it is potentially part of another brand,” Marchionne hedged.
“I think that the architecture itself is sufficiently pliable to be available not just to Alfa but to others, and I think that we are in discussions with our partner now how to best utilise the commitment that we have made to Mazda,” he stated.
“Again I know there was some indiscretion, arguably, that was leaked in the marketplace. I have nothing to contribute to the indiscretion itself... We remain committed to the project, and that’s the important thing. 
“We are committed to using that [MX-5 derived] architecture with our powertrains,” he stated.
In terms of the future for Alfa, however, Marchionne was clear – especially in terms of the origins for the cars that will rebuild the brand.
“I’m also very much of the view that Alfa Romeo needs to remain an Italian brand and it needs to be produced in Italy with Italian-produced power trains... There are some things that belong to a place, and Alfa belongs to this, to Italy in [the same way], as Maserati does and as Ferrari does. These are unique brands...
“I think it will be a gross mistake – and I mean gross, and I don’t mean big – to try and take Alfa away from the jurisdiction.” he stated.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is currently formalising its strategy for the rebirth of Alfa Romeo. 
Marchionne says the marque will relaunch into the USA in 2015, in the process leveraging its Maserati and Fiat dealer networks. Plans for Alfa Romeo’s platform strategy, model lines and global relaunch will be announced in May (2014).
“I mentioned in Detroit [Motor Show] that we have been working diligently on the next phase of development for Alfa Romeo and that it requires a severe rethink of everything we’ve done so far,” Marchionne explained.
“I can tell you that even from January, from the Detroit Auto Show, we’ve made significant progress in terms of the architectural choices involved in some of the key elements; [and] the key technical elements of what Alfa Romeo will be going forward.
“I’m still hopeful that we’ll be in production by the end of 2015 with the first vehicle, which is representative of the new Alfas going forward. 
“I don’t think you should be underestimating the amount of technical complexity associated with this, because it is a complete rethink of what we have done, and that has a variety of consequences – some of which reflect the inherent risk with making technical choices the way we are.
“There are a bunch of engineers – both architecture engineers and powertrain engineers – that are working on this very diligently as we speak. We need to give them the time to complete that work, and really give us the comfort that we need to present the [Alfa Romeo relaunch] plan in May and effectively convince you that we have learned from our past mistakes in terms of Alfa, not just mine but even my predecessors, and that the next phase of Alfa will be right,” Marchionne said.

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