I'm not entirely sure whether the Focus RS/ST or whatever would compete with the Mustang. I think it would be more likely to have a go at BMWs and Nissan Skylines, Subaru Imprezas, Mitsi Evos and the like.
I can't help but feel that there needs to be a certain amount of seperation between FIAT and Chrysler. There will always be a market for American cars as well as one for imports. To use a Biblical analogy; Give unto Ceaser that which is Ceaser's and give unto God that which is God's. Or words to that effect.
I see no reason why you can't have American Chryslers with Italian influences yet market Alfa/FIAT/Lancia seperately. A bit like having a domestic brand in one part of the showroom and an import range in another. Which is probably what will happen. A danger would be putting an Italian V6 in an Alfa and a Dodge Intrepid, or whatever the mid-size model will be called as the "exoticness" of the Alfa would be degraded.
On my last trip (alright only trip) across the Pond, I saw a lot of BMWs, Mercedes, Audis and Jags in New York and a few in Baltimore, but the only ones I saw in Charleston were from out of town. I think you could sell FIAT group products in the big metropolitan areas but maybe not in the smaller towns and rural areas so to give the Chryslers too much in the way of European content would alienate a lot of people and drive them into the arms of GM and the blue oval.
I can't help but feel that there needs to be a certain amount of seperation between FIAT and Chrysler. There will always be a market for American cars as well as one for imports. To use a Biblical analogy; Give unto Ceaser that which is Ceaser's and give unto God that which is God's. Or words to that effect.
I see no reason why you can't have American Chryslers with Italian influences yet market Alfa/FIAT/Lancia seperately. A bit like having a domestic brand in one part of the showroom and an import range in another. Which is probably what will happen. A danger would be putting an Italian V6 in an Alfa and a Dodge Intrepid, or whatever the mid-size model will be called as the "exoticness" of the Alfa would be degraded.
On my last trip (alright only trip) across the Pond, I saw a lot of BMWs, Mercedes, Audis and Jags in New York and a few in Baltimore, but the only ones I saw in Charleston were from out of town. I think you could sell FIAT group products in the big metropolitan areas but maybe not in the smaller towns and rural areas so to give the Chryslers too much in the way of European content would alienate a lot of people and drive them into the arms of GM and the blue oval.