Robert Lane Alfa closes

[MYAR156]

Is anyone aware that there are now only 2 dealers in metro Melbourne? Robert Lane Alfa recently closed quietly (this week?) and I am wondering what the future for Alfa is in Oz. Is this the thin end of the wedge as the GFC takes hold? Any details anyone?

[lombardi]

HOPEFULLY THIS IS NOT A TREND,AS IN SYDNEY ALFA ITALIA ALSO CLOSED without a whisper.ciao

[John Hanslow]

Crickey, could not find them listed on the Alfa Dealer reference list for Victoria. 

Thankfully with a few specialists around, we will continue to get good service for the recent models.

Regards.

[John Hanslow]

Drove past last night and that end of the car yard was in darkness and the showroom empty.  The yard appeared to be full of strange looking smaller 2nd hand cars.

No signage except a banner across the front of the showroom with 'SUZUKI' written on it.

Something is definitely going on.

Cheers.

[k76]

The dealer in Newcastle has also closed down
Apparently none of the other dealers in town have put their hand up becasue of the difficulty of dealing with the importer (If I heard correctly from someone who heard it from someone else etc)

[Davidm1600]

All is fine down here in Tassie with our Alfa Dealer (Performance Autos), or so I believe.  They only recently opened brand new premises from which to sell not just Alfas, but Fiat, Porsche, Mercedes, and Subaru.  Dave

[Joe Garra]

In this morning's Age, it's advertised as Zagame Brighton.

[Arese]

Damn. be nice to be notified by Alfa Romeo Australia, or contacted by on of the other dealerships - feeling a little orphaned - especially since there are still a few unresolved warranty jobs that Robert Lane were working through. And that's twice now - first the Italian Motor Co, and now Robert Lane...and nary a word!

OK I know the GFC is biting pretty hard, but please look after those of us that are left!

[1750GT]

I think the GFC is actually affecting the car industry like a number of industries at the moment. Basically, dealers are finance orientated, whether it be offering finance to sell cars or considerable finance to keep cars on the floor. Banks are just not supporting any business that requries on going debt at the moment. In the case of Alfa Romeo this is not hepled by:

> Unlike other Euro's there is no factory backing. Alfa's are ditributed by an Australian agent. The distributer, in these times will basically pull back and support only those brands that provide value and profits. They are profit driven and if a brand/dealer is not performing then it goes to the wall. With the price of most new Alfa's in the 50K plus price range they are always going to struggle without a full range of starter vehicles in the 20 - 30K price point.
> As you may have read in the last couple of months of car sales numbers Alfa Romeo sales have not just dipped drastically, but basically flatlined. With the very low margins particularly for firstly non factory backed brands (that can dicount with factory backing and still make the same margin) and secondly for one make dealers, basically a number of dealers (and not just Alfa dealers) are closing their doors. I notice from David that the Tassie dealer has 4 or 5 brands which in Melbourne is unique as marques now require single brand recognition dealerships and if a dealer is lucky to have a number of brands they basically need their own showroom and identity (albiet that they are next door to each other?), which means higher overheads etc. however obviously the Tassie model is probably how it used to run in mainland city's and gave dealers more of a chance to be profitable, one sales force, one service department etc.

I better stop before I write a book on this subject!

1750GT