The new generation of Alfa Romeo models, the 159, Brera and Spider, have had a dramatic effect on the Italian car makers New Zealand sales, with 2007 sales climbing by 50 percent over its 2006 result.

The new generation of Alfa Romeo models, the 159, Brera and Spider, have had a dramatic effect on the Italian car makers New Zealand sales, with 2007 sales climbing by 50 percent over its 2006 result.

Last year saw full supply of the Alfa Romeo 159, Brera and Spider become available, in particular the automatic and Selespeed versions of key models, while Alfa Romeo is, with its advanced diesel engines, has been one of the major beneficiaries of growing diesel demand. In 2007 Alfa Romeo achieved 255 sales, a 50 per cent increase over its 2006 figure of 170.

“Style, performance and driving excitement remain the key reasons that attract cars buyers to Alfa Romeo,” says Lawrie Malatios, General Manager for Alfa Romeo in New Zealand. “But with the arrival of state of the art automatic gearboxes and the next-generation Selespeed, we have been able to open up the Alfa Romeo range to a wider group of owners. The new diesel engines in 159 and 159 Sportwagon have enabled us to capitalize on growing demand for diesel, with cars that blend the traditional attractions of diesel without diluting any of the attributes that make Alfa Romeo such aspirational cars.”