Car buying
is fun, but making such a large purchase can also be stressful. If you've strolled through a car lot recently, you may notice that many vehicles are selling for over the MSRP. That's good news for dealers, but not for buyers.One car brand that is not a part of this super-sized price tag trend is Alfa Romeo. Some of its models are selling for below the MSRP. Why can’t the brand get over MSRP?
What kind of cars does Alfa Romeo make?
For those new to the foreign car market, "Alfa Romeo" sounds like the name of a suave soap opera character. But this is, of course, the name of the Italian automaker that has been in business for over a century.
And if you've ever wondered where the name comes from, "Alfa" is an acronym for "Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili." And "Romeo" comes from one of the early leaders of the company, Nicola Romeo.
The Italian automaker is making news in the US right now because dealers are selling new cars at a discount. Jalopnik
reported that, on average, Alfa Romeos sell for more than $3,400 below MSRP. This is a departure from many other car brands that are selling above MSRP, including BMWs. Car brand comparison: Alfa Romeo Stelvio vs BMW X4
Alfa Romeos and BMWs have long been considered competitors in the luxury car market. So why is one car brand surpassing its MSRPs while the other is falling short?
U.S. News
recently did a head-to-head comparison of the 2022 Stelvio and BMW X4. The average X4 sells for $53,049, which is almost $1,200 above its MSRP. Why are car buyers willing to pay a dealer mark-up for BMWs?According to the U.S. News reviewers, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio falls short on comfort with its "firm seat cushions" and tight cargo space. And, the infotainment system lags way behind most other automakers. Features like WiFi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, or Android Auto don't come standard.
In fact, they're not even options on the 2022 Stelvio. And, the X4 has AWD, while the Stelvio only has FWD with no option to upgrade.
Why are some car brands struggling right now?
Why Alfa Romeo or any other car brand struggles to sell at MSRP comes down to consumer preferences and perceptions. Does Alfa Romeo offer US customers what they want in a vehicle? Are Alfa Romeos generally overpriced, and the discounted price tag reflects their true value?
And, as Jalopnik pointed out, will the automaker ever be able to shake its "unreliable" reputation? Until someone does a full-scale analysis of Alfa Romeo sales in the US, we won't have an exact answer.
Affordable insurance for all car brands
You can save big if you snag a new car for under its MSRP. Another way you can save some cash is by shopping around for car insurance. But who has time? Jerry
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