All posts tagged de meo
From Fiat to Volkswagen: Giovanni Perosino becomes communications and marketing head
Curious to see that while Fiat has said its Alfa Romeo brand is not for sale, especially not to Volkswagen, the German group continues its acquisition of other Italian ‘assets’ all the same. The most recent move to Volkswagen from Fiat comes in the form of personnel, with Giovanni Perosino, head of marketing and communications at Fiat Group, moving to the same role at VW.
The Italians are describing the move from the 46-year-old as another example of the drain of human resources as Volkswagen taps into the Italian talent pool. Perosino will join compatriots Luca De Meo, Volkswagen marketing director, and Walter de Silva, head of design at VW.
How much as consumers we will see their influence filter through, apart from the more obvious touch of the design department, we’ll be seeing in the future but it’s probably not too far-fetched to say that Volkswagen is slowly becoming more Italianised. Will we see an eventual acquisition of Alfa Romeo…?
Luca De Meo leaves Fiat Automobiles
Luca De Meo has left his position at Fiat Automobiles, leaving the positions of general manager at both Alfa Romeo and Abarth uncovered, together with the marketing director’s position for the entire group.
The young Italian manager from Milan is one of the more charismatic personalities in the Italian automobile sector, along with Sergio Marchionne, and joined Fiat as Lancia’s marketing director, after experience at both Renault and Toyota. After his promotion to director of the entire brand, he was personally responsible for the successful re-launch of the Fiat 500, for which De Meo received an industry award.
Currently nothing is known as to the next project and work for De Meo, although rumours have it that he is looking for an overseas posting. No substitute at Fiat has been found, but it appears that an internal restructure is on the cards, with a complete overhaul internally.
Source | Quattroruote (Thanks to “BADBOYS” for the tip)
Alfa Romeo: prospects for 2009 in car the industry
It may seem impossible with the current economic crisis to find a car manufacturer upbeat about 2009’s prospects for the car industry. But Alfa Romeo’s Luca de Meo is positive that the new year will be a good year for Alfa, especially with sales of the new MiTo, expected to reach between 60 and 70,000 units. 2009 will also herald the arrival of the new Alfa 149 in the final quarter, as well as an update on the 159 model.
If things go really well Alfa could even experience a sales increase on 2008, to between 115,000 and 120,000 cars. This is despite postponing the US Alfa launch, as the local market in Italy is likely to be the strongest with around 52,000 vehicles predicted to be sold. 2008 was a tough year for the Italian market, with the marketing director, Francesco Cimmino, saying that request was down on 2007 levels.
Source | La stampa
Alfa Romeo: 159 plans, Duetto dreams
Alfa Romeo’s aim to reach 300,000 unit sales a year remains, despite delaying the US re-launch and the general global economic climate at the moment.
To achieve this goal though, Alfa will have to undertake the roll-over from the current range, to the new, relatively quickly. This includes the 159 range, which is quite young and already suffering from the faults of its predecessors, for example the heavy weight, which penalises the Brera and Spider sports models.
From next year however, according to De Meo, things will change significantly, thanks to the arrival of a new generation of engines with highlights in the 1.4L and 1.8L T-jet. The 159 model won’t be receiving any susbstantial updates for 2009, leaving space for a completely new model which will apparently be more compact and lighter, and that will be equipped with smaller engines.
Abarth at the Paris show: plenty of little grunt with the 500, EsseEsse and Asetto Corse
De Meo has presented their baby to Montezemolo, garnering almost tenderness from the former executive. The idea is to dispel any doubts about the Abarth 500, and with so many interested in finding out about the little scorpion, the Abarth stand at the Paris show was virtually assalted with people.
The Asetto Corse, 200hp version, was also present, with its 1.4 T-jet engine and only 920 kg, along with the EsseEsse with its 211km/hr of speed. This is better than any tuning fest you’ll ever go to.
Luca De Meo voted "Chief Marketing Officier of the Year 2008"
Luca De Meo, Chief Marketing Officer of Fiat Group and general manager of Alfa Romeo and Abarth, has received the prize of Chief Marketing Officer of the Year 2008 in awards from the the Booz & Company management consultancy.
The prize is in its third edition and candidates are nominated by third parties, with a judging panel comprised of international CEO’s, marketing experts and consultants. Criteria includes strategy and organisation, brand and marketing communication, product and pricing and customer loyalty.
Luca De Meo won the prize in particular for his work on the Fiat 500 launch in 2007. The launch was a huge success, thanks also to unconventional tactics such as the “500 Wants You” web campaign.
Alfa Romeo: return to the US market needs SUV model
Alfa Romeo has the aim of reaching 300,000 sales a year by 2010. How? By working hard, and Luca De Meo, Alfa Romeo managing director, who you see in the 500 launch photo, has his head down to meet this target.
Phases of the ambitious aim include the return to the US market, which will be supported by the BMW group, and in particular the Mini network. De Meo has clear ideas on the portfolio to be offered to US customers, which surprisingly include a SUV.
Despite current trends away from sports utilities, the director has said that “offering an SUV in the US is fundamental in being recognised as a premium brand, even by customers uninterested in this vehicle and despite decreased sales”.
Continue reading: Alfa Romeo: return to the US market needs SUV model
Interview with Luca De Meo: Alfa's plans for the future
On the threshold of its centenary, Alfa Romeo is undergoing one of the most ambitious restructing plans in its history.
The news for the next phase of the Alfa story has left some Alfa fans a bit dry in the mouth. All the talk of rear wheel drive, the US and new models to be waited on haven’t been so comforting.
But perhaps it’s not all doom and gloom for the future of the brand. As Luca De Meo has revealed to auto, motor und sport, the MiTo is only the first step in the relaunch of the Italian company’s image.
Continue reading: Interview with Luca De Meo: Alfa's plans for the future
Alfa Romeo 8C: De Meo opens up about the GTA
This is a birthday presented signed with three simple words: Gran Turismo Alleggerita. It’s a birthday card dedicated to all the “alfisti” (alfa fans), written by Luca De Meo, general manager of Alfa Romeo. The words are the following: it’s possible to create a GTA version of the 8C. It’s still early to open the present yet though, we’ll have to wait and see the “if” and “when” we can.
During an interview with AutoTelegraff, the manager revealed the desire to offer a lighter and more powerful version of the splendid coupé; the final decision, however, is yet to be formalised, even if there is already an idea that 100 units would be produced for a limited series. Dear Marchionne, just once, let yourself by guided by heart flutterings…!
Continue reading: Alfa Romeo 8C: De Meo opens up about the GTA
Alfa Romeo SUV: confirmed for 2010
Even Alfa Romeo will have its own SUV. The pages of Auto-Motor-&-Sport have reported that Luca de Meo has said that this type of car is essential if the company wants to compete in the big European market with the right arms. And we add, especially with the return to the US market.
The future range of the Alfa will see many changes in the next few years to bring the prestigious brand back to the excellence which characterises it. The first step is the Mi.to, with which Alfa hopes to gain some consensus. 2009 should be the year of the new 149, crucial in the brand’s relaunch. And in 2010, according to plans, it should be the turn of the SUV made in Alfa.
Alfa Romeo: a new model and a new base
A couple of final words from Sergio Marchionne and Luca De Meo, inundated by questions from Reuters at the stand in Geneva’s exhibtion hall, has anticipated juicy scenes about the short-term future of Alfa Romeo.
In view of the debut in the United States, the Biscione management is evaluating the possibility of establishing a manufacturing base in Mexico. The ufficial decision will be finalized by the end of the year: the head-to-head between the central American state and Canada, possibility revealed some months ago, would already be underway.
In a light-hearted moment, De Meo wanted to reassure Alfa fanatics, reinforcing that the desire to restore the brand’s values will not be disregarded: “in occasion of the centennial we will present a never-before-seen model”. On his admission though, the 140 project (the future 149) and the 141 project (the future 169) are not under discussion.
Via | Reuters
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