All have been here,back in the days when they did not face the immense competition that we now have from the Japanese, and all falied when the only competition here was the overweight and relatively poor quality American car. People were only choosing between cars,four door or two door, possibly a convertible. Today, people's choices are divided between traditional cars, minivans, SUV's trucks etc.For a manufacturer to committ the funds to try to break back into the US market,in view of the terrific level of cometition here, in my opinion,makes their chance of success very slim. in the case of the french companies, they now have the additional stigma to over come of the politics of the recent Gulf war, As they say, they have a snowball's chance in H**l of success here. Alfa was saying they wanted to move 25,000 units here in the first year. Saab has been here for 50 years and has just cracked 40K again after some years in the mid to low twenties. How can Alfa do it without a mature distribution system? At least if Alfa wre to try, they can attempt to dovetail off of the GM infrastructure and possible do deals with Saab, Subaru, Cadillac etc. Who will rent a tent to the French without the fear of buyer backlash? DCX? They have their own troubles to solve. Ford? Same problem. The Japanese? Well, maybe Nissan will have to throw a lifeline to Renault, but that will not be enough to make it profitable for them. My guess is that none of these four will actually make it back here.Time will tell.

posted by 24.128.54...

• New wrinkle on the new 9-5, phred, Thu, 12 Jun 2003 09:51:06
  • That makes no sense, Unless..., Stephen Goldberger, Thu, 12 Jun 2003 12:47:54
    • I hope you're right, Ed NC, Thu, 12 Jun 2003 14:46:31
      • This is the car Saab Needs, PhilSaab, Fri, 13 Jun 2003 22:10:41
  • Makes sense mechanically as Saab needs...., TKC, Thu, 12 Jun 2003 11:21:08
    • Alfa in the NY Times, phred, Thu, 12 Jun 2003 16:13:46
      • Re: Alfa in the NY Times, William Lafferty, Thu, 12 Jun 2003 20:17:48
      • Alfa, Renault, Citroen, Peugot, Lou, Thu, 12 Jun 2003 18:45:57 <-- Viewing This Message
        • Those brands are selling like hotcakes in Europe..., AdamB , Thu, 12 Jun 2003 21:23:05
          • Re: Those brands are selling like hotcakes in Europe..., Lou, Fri, 13 Jun 2003 04:38:36
          • Re: Those brands are selling like hotcakes in Europe..., Zinhead, Fri, 13 Jun 2003 03:34:06
      • Yes, saw that article as well as something similar..., TKC, Thu, 12 Jun 2003 16:22:28
        • Re: Yes, saw that article as well as something similar..., Brooks G, Thu, 12 Jun 2003 17:01:03
          • But you stayed in the family, phred, Thu, 12 Jun 2003 18:16:19
            • Re: But you stayed in the family, Brooks G, Fri, 13 Jun 2003 08:01:24
  • Source please..., bRAD, Thu, 12 Jun 2003 10:12:46
    • Top Gear magazine, phred, Thu, 12 Jun 2003 10:32:34

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