1963 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 Spider on 2040-cars

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Just 45% of Fiat dealers are profitable, and they're angry about it

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On average, Fiat dealers have only been selling about 17 cars a month.
We've been wondering for some time how Fiat dealers in North America have been getting along with just one model range in their showrooms up until recently. Franchisees spent millions building, stocking and manning sleek new 'studio' showrooms, only to have but a single model to sell, the cherubic 500. And even with its many derivatives, the Cinquecento is still an inexpensive model with its attendant lower margins. Perhaps it should come as no surprise then, that just 45 percent of US Fiat dealers are said to be profitable.

Alfa's upcoming EV sports car poised as a 4C Spider successor — the 4E?

Expanding its ambitious plans for its future electric cars, Alfa Romeo is working on an electric sports car — one that might be badged the 4E and live on as a successor to the 4C Spider — for introduction before the end of the decade "There are some items from Alfa Romeo that we don't kill: One is the Spider, the other is a love of cars. We do want to continue them because that's the brand,” Daniel Guzzafame, Head of Products at Alfa, said in an interview with Autocar. “The main point is to make sure that when we do it, we are credible, are sustainable, and don't just throw something on the market for the sake of it.” The ItaliansÂ’ prospective scenario would hinge on the success of its new multi-car/SUV lineup that includes the Tonale, introduced earlier this year; a baby SUV spotted online recently that could come next year, and upcoming electric versions of the Guilia sedan and Stelvio. A new Alfa Romeo will arrive each year for the next five years, Alfa executives say, to build up the “sustainable” inventory foundation to which Guzzafame referred. In past years, he said, “we went to the dealers, and they had the 4C, Giulietta, and Mito, and that was all they had. First, you need to have a solid lineup, and then, of course, the Spider has to be the cherry on the cake.” The sports car discussed by Guzzafame may borrow styling cues from the newly revealed 33 Stradale supercar, available with Alfa's first-ever electric drivetrain. The company may also look to mimic the dynamics of todayÂ’s mid-engined sports cars by locating its battery in the center of the chassis, a placement that would allow a traditional cab-forward shape.  Alfa Romeo has suggested that all of its ICE vehicles will go out of production by 2027. As far as a “noiseless” Alfa is concerned, Guzzafame explained the company may try to emulate the sounds and vibrations of a gasoline motor in the new car. “ItÂ’s not what you hear, itÂ’s what you feel,” he said. “WeÂ’re working on how to transfer that into a vibe, more than sound, and something that will resonate in your ear, because you need to get something from your gut.” As for the gorgeous mid-engined Stradale, the engine is a version of the twin-turbo V6 from the Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio models, and apparently some aspects of the active suspension are also taken from the Giulia Quadrifoglio GTA.

Alfa Romeo Classiche program launched to preserve the brand's heritage

Alfa Romeo has taken a significant step to help enthusiasts conserve the cars it has built over the past 112 years. The company launched a program called Alfa Romeo Classiche that provides owners with anything from a certificate of authenticity to a full in-house restoration. One of the program's most basic services is issuing a certificate of origin. This isn't new; Alfa has offered this resource since 2016. Armed with a chassis number, owners can request a document that details a car's date of production and its original configuration inside and out. You'd be surprised at what you can discover: Years ago, I learned that the red 1966 GTV I owned at the time was originally painted gray. The second certificate Alfa Romeo can issue collectors attests to a car's authenticity. Historians working in the company's Heritage department examine a car and inspect a long list of points before deeming it authentic. Cars can be examined at the Officine Classiche in Mirafiori, near Turin in Italy, at the Stellantis & You facilities in Rome and in Palermo, or directly at the owner's house regardless of the country they live in. Finally, the Alfa Romeo Classiche program includes a maintenance and restoration service performed by the same folks who work on the cars in the brand's museum. From changing the rocker panels on a 1959 Giulietta to changing the spark plugs on a 1991 model 164, the in-house team can take on just about any task. Pricing hasn't been announced; it varies depending on the car and the scope of the work required. Alfa Romeo takes its heritage and the Classiche program seriously: Company CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato chairs the certification committee, and the people in charge of certifying a car have access to the vast archives housed in the Alfa Romeo Museum. Related video: