Volkswagen, Fiat Discussing Alfa Romeo Sale

You can never fully trust the automotive rumor mill; unscrupulous blogs are liable to print nearly anything and everything in the name of getting clicks, which can lead to some wild and unverified information being passed off as true. But we at TTAC have it on good authority (thanks to our EIC Herr Schmitt, now en route to Chattanooga, in fact) that VW and Fiat are in talks regarding a possible sale of Alfa Romeo. The sale of Alfa Romeo to Audi would also include the Pomilgiano assembly plant in Naples, which once made Alfas, but currently produces the Fiat Panda. Magnetti Marelli, Fiat's famed parts maker, may also be included in the deal, as Fiat looks to raise cash so it can buy the remaining shares of Chrysler off the UAW's Voluntary Employee Benefits Association. Meanwhile, Audi has already established a presence in Italy with both Lamborghini, Ducati and Italdesign. Adding Alfa Romeo and an Italian plant would only entrench its standing, and the sale of an assembly plant would be mutually beneficial for both VW and Fiat, as Alfa could retain its "Made in Italy" heritage while Fiat looks like a hero by ensuring that the plant and its workers have some security. Of course, nobody knows what VW would even do with Alfa, considering its sales picture is even bleaker than VW's ailing SEAT brand. from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com

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