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Had a contract with Saab when they bought the francise. The contract stated that to receive the franchise, two stores must be built. I remember them talking about Alfa Romeo, but I'm not sure if it has made it past the talk stage yet. I'm not 100% that Alfa will still make it to the US; times are tough, and GM is having to make a lot of unpleasant compromises to remain profitable. In the current market situation, Alfa would be a major risk. I'm not saying that I know any insider information, but common sense dictates that the timing might not be right for Alfa's revival.
I hear that the new stores are going to be phenominal (and so is our's, I might add). Tim, the Sales Manager at Performance is an extremely nice individual, and is one of the most helpful people in the world to deal with.
As far as the Viggen's replacement, I'm going to stick with my hunch (it's more crossing my fingers and hoping, than anything else). I think that the Aero version will probably share the drivetrain with the 443 (crossover), an AWD car with the 280hp 6-cyl engine (or, who knows, it might get the new V-8 that we've been reading about in the past couple of months). Of course, that's only if the plan to use the 280hp motor is still alive. I've noticed that a lot of changes have been happening to the cars coming through the pipeline. It's slightly disconcerting. We're told one thing, and then someone (usually someone that is too conservative) steps on everyone else's fun, and scraps the original plan for a safer one that requires less work. For once, I'd like to see someone step out on a limb (i.e. grow some balls), and produce something wild. If we're ever going to get the Motoring Press on our side, we have to build something so fun that even they can't complain! Look at Subaru, does anyone remember the magazines continually slaying them in the press? Have you seen any of this since the WRX arrived? No.
The way to save the brand is to build excitement across the whole automobile community, not just in our demographic range! Let's get everyone on board, then selling cars will be easy!!!
Oh wow, I'm sorry. I got caught up in a rant. I apologize; this post went South in a hurry, and I ended up way off topic. I DO HOPE, THOUGH, THAT IT DOESN'T FALL ON DEAF EARS. If this message makes it to Dan Chasins, I want him to know that his pushing for 9-X production has more support than he realizes. Go for it, Dan! You're not alone! I'll be first in line to place a deposit, and I mean it! I'd trade my 350Z in a flash.
Cheers,
Brian.
posted by 65.106.25...
, Fri, 4 Oct 2002 18:39:37
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