For higher end cars and SUVs, a V8 engine is a big plus in US auto
marketing. It has little to do with actual performance needs
(although for some vehicles, added torque and smoothness of a larger
displacement V8 helps) but the US auto market has a long history of
favoring the V8 engine configuration.
I would love to see Alfa Romeo return to this market and be
successful. I'd hate to see them return and become a niche market
flop due to the same lack of understanding of the US that caused them
to pull out in the first place. The trick is to do it while retaining
why the Alfa enthusiasts want to buy an Alfa Romeo in the first place.
Godfrey
On Aug 29, 2005, at 6:16 AM, Dario Bonazza wrote:
Alfa general manager said that many Americans want a V8 engine,
hence they must offer it if they want to get good success on the US
market. However, native Alfa engines will be offered as well.
