BMW & Fiat to cooperate on small-cars; Alfas to be sold through US Mini dealers

[vcs2600]

Hopefully this will count for BMW's CAFE fleet average.

[kenman923]

An interesting strategy on Fiat and BMW's part.

[ChevroletRevived]

Interesting to say the least, I wonder why they'd be doing this with BMW? Or why BMW would want to be helping them? I'm almost certain Fiat will be wanting to bring the MiTo here if they're selling Alfas, espessially with people looking to move into small cars. The Mini and the MiTo compete head on, what gives? Even beyond that Mini dealers don't seem to be the best place to sell Alfa Romeos of any kind. Weird, I don't understand at all Fiat's strategy for re-entering the U.S market!

[chaseabryant]

I have to agree that this is a very interesting story. The thing that really gets me is the fact that MINI may be sharing the dealer network with Alfas....

Like some have mentioned, the sale of Alfas right next to the MINI seems really odd, since the vehicles that will be sold alongside the MINI will be direct competition. Even if one is a little larger or a little smaller, MINI is also looking to diversify the brand, expanding into other realms, the beginning of which will be the rumored Crossman...

Again, sort of an odd agreement. I will say that it puts two vehicles that I would consider over a MINI very close. Maybe they plan on moving the MINI to another market segment, or they see that the Alfas will wind up being slightly above the MINI, but still below BMW.... I don't see how that could completely be feasable though, a well-optioned MINI Cooper/Clubman S can break the 40k range....

Hmmmm......

-Chase