>>> Alfa Romeo

Saab has become the latest manufacturer to pull out of the GM-developed "Premium" Platform. Expected to use the Premium platform on their 9-5 large saloon replacement, they expect now to switch to a US GM alternative floorpan. With Fiat and Lancia withdrawing in favour of the cheaper and 4x4 capable "Epsilion" option and GM's US brand Cadillac preferring to return to rear wheel drive format for their next generation of models, Saab's decision leaves Alfa Romeo as the only company to commited to the new platform. With the next Alfa 166 and GTV/Spider variants being based on the Premium floorplan, the move leaves the aim of a widely as possible used platform to reduce supplier costs looking somewhat ineffective at present.

Alfa Romeo's decision to delay their return to North America until 2007, when a fully US-relulation compliant range is in place, leaves the marque to concentrate on the European market, with efforts now on getting several new models to the market.

Alfa are very upbeat about the GTA range. They now expect to sell 3,000 of the 156 GTA and Sportwagon GTA models this year, double an initial estimate of 1,500 to the year end. On this basis they are revising upward their estimates for the 147 GTA which makes its debut in Paris and goes on sale in December. The 156 based "Sprint" Coupe due December 2003 may also be produced at a greater rate than the 20,000 units per year originally planned, with a range-topping "Sprint GTA" now being considered.

>>> Alfa Romeo at the 75th Paris International Motor Show

>>> Carcerano

Italian specialist engineering company Carcerano expect to produce their Lancia-based "New York" Grand Tourer, a pre-production final version on display on their stand. Another prototype on display at a New York Italian car exhibition this week has generated much interest.

>>> Carcerano at the 75th Paris International Motor Show

>>> Ferrari

The US$675,000 Enzo will start being delivered to customers in January. With all 349 of the 600bhp supercars having been pre-sold, Ferrari have been pressurised by customers to increase the run and an extra 50 will now be built, bringing total production to 399 units. It will also be finished in black as well as the announced red and yellow.

As the race team goes from success to success in Formula 1, the mood of the marque is very upbeat. The stand, based around the show stopping Enzo and title winning Formula 1 F2002 chassis, has centred on speculation around the eventual stockmarket flotation.

With the first Ferrari retail outlet opening recently at Bologna Airport in a blaze of publicity, the company reports very satisfactory trading so far.

>>> Ferrari at the 75th Paris International Motor Show

>>> Fiat

Fiat Auto CEO Giancarlo Boschetti reports that the company has overcapacity running at 20-30% as he struggles to cut costs. With no light appearing as yet, it is constantly reported that Fiat's creditor banks are pushing for an early sale of the remaning 80% of the auto division to GM.

He also said that costs saved from the already announced October production halts will be ploughed back into new models.

Fiat have downgraded Stilo sales for this year again, lowering the total projected figure to an estimated 200-205,000 units, blaming the delay in getting the new Paris debuting Station Wagon into the showrooms for costing sales. Next year a target of 260-270,000 units has been set, with the Station Wagon expected to account for around 25% of the models sales.

>>> Fiat at the 75th Paris International Motor Show

>>> Lancia

Lancia have reported 2,200 orders for the new Thesis luxury saloon and 3,500 for the Phedra MPV since mid summer. The Thesis figures are running behind a target of 5,000 by the year end, with next year projected at around 25,000. Lancia aimed to sell 3,500 Phedras this year, a target being achieved, and have revised next years anticipated to 9,000 units up from a projected 7,000.

Gianni Coda, Head of the Fiat, Lancia and Light Commercial division, has told reporters that Lancia plan an additional new model during 2004. Speculation surrounds a revival of the Lybra restyling, although this is now very late in the model's life, which was jettisoned in favour of the model continuing until its replacement in late 2005, with a new model based on GM's "Epsilion" platform. A major model overhaul could see the facelifted version drawing heavily on the Nea concept car. Lancia will make an announcement during the show.

>>> Lancia at the 75th Paris International Motor Show