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Fiat has announced that it will be producing its famed Alfa Romeo brand for the Chinese market in partnership with Guangzhou Automobile Group Co Ltd. The joint venture was also announced by Zeng Qinghong, the president of the Chinese automotive group. The joint manufacturing effort will be called Guangqi Fiat and is scheduled to start production in July, 2012.

The venture will begin by producing Fiats, but Qinghong said, “Besides the Fiat brand, after talks between the two shareholders, we will introduce the Alfa Romeo brand to the venture company.” His comments were given during the Guangzhou auto show. The partners are still discussing a timetable for the production and sale of Alfa Romeos in China.

Guangqi Fiat will have an initial capacity of 140,000 units. The joint venture was developed with the intent of offering multiple auto brands and an array of products being manufactured at any one time. Chrysler Group, currently managed by Fiat, has openly said that it was going to aggressively seek a means to build more vehicles in China. The Guangqi Fiat organization could be a convenient venue for them to do so.

The Chinese auto market is seen to be the largest under served venue in the world at this time. The problem that Alfa Romeo will face is that it will be a johnny-come-lately to the luxury segment of that market. Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW have already established themselves and growth in the luxury segment has been slowing. Fiat and Chrysler may have success with their smaller family cars, but it could be a struggle for Alfa.

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne spent his visit to the 2011 L.A. Auto Show alternating between proudly displaying Alfa Romeo offerings and denying rumors that the storied brand was up for sale. He did both with his trademark smile and the good humor that usually marks his press interactions.

First the rumors that Alfa Romeo and/or Ferrari were going to be sold in part or whole. ”Oh please,” he said ”I think we’re going to hold tight and fight.” The rumors have been swirling as Fiat as a whole has been struggling to remain profitable. Also, Ferdinand Piech, CEO of Volkswagen, has made it abundantly and publicly clear that he would love to acquire Alfa Romeo. Piech is going to have to wait for a very long time according to Marchionne.

Now, for the centerpiece offering that Alfa had at the show. The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept was rehashed in L.A. The car is expected to go into production at the end of 2012 and will be marketed as a 2013 model. It is going to feature a 1.8L four cylinder engine strapped to Alfa’s six speed TCT twin clutch automatic. That will put 200 horsepower at its owner’s command. The 4C will weigh in the neighborhood of 1,875 lbs. Alfa is accomplishing the low weight with a composite body and aluminum frame. MSRP is targeted at $60,000. This is meant to be the new flagship car for Alfa Romeo.

It is good to see Machionne in good humor and deflecting rumors of a sale, especially to Volkswagen. It would be almost disgusting to see a company known for underpowering everything it builds take over Alfa. From the looks of the 4C concept, Alfa Romeo should see sales increase in the near future. Maybe that will quiet all of the rumors.

Alfa Romeo 4C Concept

Earlier in 2011, Alfa Romeo announced plans to begin producing an all new turbocharged four-popper that is estimated to deliver an awesome 300 horsepower from a tiny little 1.8 liter. The engine is scheduled to make a 2013 debut in several of Alfa’s platforms.

So far, the engine has been mentioned in conjunction with the incoming 4C sports car and the much rumored 6C sedan that is to be based on the Chrysler 300 platform. The engine will is designed to be used in a traditional mounting configuration or the more contemporary transverse set up. Some of the features that will be offered by the new power plant are direct injection, dual variable valve timing, and the ability to comply with future emissions standards both in Europe and the U.S. That is good to hear, since Alfa keeps delaying its re-entry of the American market.

”This is an extremely important step for Alfa Romeo, as we continue to reposition our brand and prepare it for global distribution. The United States remains our primary objective as we prepare for a 2013 introduction of our models,” said Harald J. Wester, Fiat’s Chief Technology Officer and head of the Alfa Romeo and Maserati Brands. ”The dedication of group-wide resources to develop specific powertrain solutions for the specific needs of Alfa Romeo is a reflection of the renewed thrust we are placing on the development of this brand. This is a first step in a series of initiatives to be implemented in the near future which will reconnect Alfa Romeo to its historical roots as a premium Italian sports car brand.”

Alfa Romeo officials are touting the new engine as ”setting a new performance standard in its category”. Some potential customers may be a little skeptical given near legendary quality issues the brand has faced. Alfa and Fiat have been working diligently to correct and reverse that image. Perhaps this is the engine that will put them over the top.

1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B

New Alfa Romeos are set to hit the North American market some time during the 2012 physical year. In the mean time, a used Alfa Romeo is a viable option for a variety of budgets. Whether you are looking at buying an executive car or a sporty model to cover asphalt in the shortest time possible there are four tips to keep in mind.

Start with a visual check of the car. Walk around looking for fluid leaks, uneven tire wear, or damage. Pop the hood and check vital fluid levels. Low levels could indicate leaks that the seller is trying to hide. Look at the color and condition of the oil. Look for moisture inside the oil filler cap, which could be a sign of a head or head gasket problem. When possible, have the car inspected by an authorized mechanic prior to purchase.

The key to buying a used Alfa Romeo is maintenance. Ask the seller for all maintenance records. If there are any gaps in the service records, ask for an explanation. Another important aspect, is to verify that the person who performed the maintenance is capable of truly understanding the intricacies of an Alfa. Where possible, the maintenance should have been performed at an authorized dealership at all times.

Several used Alfa Romeo models have been subject to recalls. Some vehicles built between 1999 and Spring of 2001 were recalled for power steering issues. A very few produced in 2004 faced fuel leak issues. Do some research on the model you are interested in, then verify that any recall work has been completed on that particular car. The seller should have a repair sheet if the work has been done.

Alfa Romeo 159

Before buying a used Alfa Romeo, be sure that you have access to a qualified mechanic. In some areas, a dealership may not be handy, but you can still find the right repairman. You do not want to be shocked to find there is no one to repair your car after you have spent tens of thousands buying it.

The internet is your best tool when buying a used Alfa Romeo. Spending as little as fifteen minutes on your computer could help you avoid wasting a few hundred thousand on a lemon.

This is a series of new Alfa Romeo MiTo Commercial - The Alfa MiTo ad captures in a ‘techno-logic’ fashion all the elements of racing in order to emphasizes the sporty character of the car.

The song is: Daft Punk ‘Technologic’ “Human After All” (2005)

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