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BMW might build Alfa Romeos in the US
By Yoann Besnard on 28 March 2008 | 
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According to Fiat sources, BMW will start producing Alfa Romeo models in its American factory in 2011.
The news comes as a surprise. If Sergio Marchionne had revealed in an interview with Financial Times that the company was looking for a partner to come back to the US, the German carmaker was far from being the obvious choice. Teaming with one of the three American carmakers seemed to be a logical choice.
Alfa Romeo has plans to return to the US by 2009, first by selling its models through the Maserati dealerships. However the strong euro currency increase the prices of the company models on the American market. On its side, BMW is looking for partners to build future models in order to cut costs. Recently the car manufacturer has announced it will invest £375 million in its Spartanburg factory to increase production capacity.
However a partnership between both carmakers looks rather uncertain. First both brands, Alfa Romeo and BMW, will compete on the same market segments in the US, and secondly, BMW will boost its production capacity in the US to build its models there due to the weak dollar currency.
Source: FT and MF