Recent remarks by Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, suggesting that Alfa Romeo has often been the target of buyout offers from rivals, have brought to light moves by Volkswagen to seek control of the Italian firm in 2018.
Sources have told Autocar that contact was made between VW and Alfa’s then-parent FCA in 2018 “at the behest of Ferdinand Piëch”.
The former VW boss had often spoken about his admiration for Alfa – such as at the Paris motor show in 2011, when he suggested it could flourish under VW ownership, even going so far as to say it could be operated under the wing of Porsche.
By 2018, Piëch no longer had any day-to-day say in VW’s business, but sources say he was still determined to buy Alfa. His renewed interest came after investment firm ADW Capital Management, a long-time FCA shareholder, suggested that Alfa could be spun off in a similar manner to Ferrari.
On Piëch’s prompting, contact was made between VW and Alfa Romeo in June 2018, with VW boss Herbert Diess meeting with incoming FCA boss Mike Manley. Diess “considered it his duty to follow through on Piëch’s request,” said Autocar's source.
Diess asked if Alfa was for sale and the answer was no, but the two continued to discuss other matters.
Piëch passed away on 25 August 2019, aged 82.
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I was just thinking about this last week. I think Alfa under Stelantis will be rebadged crossovers and rebadged Peugeot 308's and will not survive. In the VW group however, I think it could become an interresting brand again living up to their great history. I tought about the possibilty of Alfa becoming Lamborghini's little brother, using Audi platforms, like the Huracan and the R8. However, this would probably result in Alfa's becoming all wheel drive, which isn't something I see fit. Under Porsche however, like Piech suggested in 2011, I think Alfa could thrive. Alfa and porsche could use the Boxster platform for a new Afla Spider, Panamera's platform, which isn't selling well, for a succesor to the Giulia and the Macan's platform for a succesor to the Stelvio, etc. I hope someone at the VW group will make Piech's final wishes for Alfa and the VW group come true.
I was just thinking about this last week. I think Alfa under Stelantis will be rebadged crossovers and rebadged Peugeot 308's and will not survive. In the VW group however, I think it could become an interresting brand again living up to their great history. I tought about the possibilty of Alfa becoming Lamborghini's little brother, using Audi platforms, like the Huracan and the R8. However, this would probably result in Alfa's becoming all wheel drive, which isn't something I see fit. Under Porsche however, like Piech suggested in 2011, I think Alfa could thrive. Alfa and porsche could use the Boxster platform for a new Afla Spider, Panamera's platform, which isn't selling well, for a succesor to the Giulia and the Macan's platform for a succesor to the Stelvio, etc. I hope someone at the VW group will make Piech's final wishes for Alfa and the VW group come true.
It is difficult to see a future for Alfa Romeo under either Stellantis or VW as both would no doubt want to use their common multi marque front wheel drive or EV platforms so the only distinguishing marks between a Peugeot or a VW would be the badge and a bit of marketing hype. IMHO Stellantis already have too many marques e.g. what is the purpose of both DS and Lancia or even Opel/Vauxhall. VW have moved Skoda right onto their mainstream VW turf and after an attempt to make SEAT their sporting brand have now spun off Cupra. You have to wonder whose crazy idea it was to launch that sub brand with an SUV. All very muddled. However sad it may be I think the future for Alfa might have to be with a progressive Chinese manufacturer like Geely - or Hyundai.