Right hand drive Lancia reintroduction in balance...

[S4]

"generally speaking, why would the Germans be more likely to buy it than the Brits?"

Before I address that, you have to remember that the support structure (dealers and management) is already there in Germany, and isn't in the UK - this is a big cost which arguably should be deferred to a point where it presents less of a proportional strain on available resources.

But in answer to your question, an important reason Lancia has suffered for a long time in the German market is because its range is so small-car centric - a by-product of its reliance on Italy where small cars are king. Lancia's current market share there is tiny, but there are a number of reasons to think it's set to improve rapidly. Firstly, more than any other in Europe, the German market is weighted by volume towards mid-sized cars, which is why the Delta is so important - it's tough to make a living when effectively your entire range consists of one supermini and one mini-MPV. It has the crucial job of arresting and reversing this trend - because for basically the first time since the start of the decade, Lancia has a competitive product to argue its case in the C- and D-segment, which dominates in the German market (this isn't a judgment on the Lybra's capabilities, but its sales fell off a cliff post-2000).

Secondly, Lancia has invested quite a lot of money over the last 18 months in the German market, which is just starting to show dividends now - I don't have the exact figures to hand, but thanks to the Delta, Lancia's recent monthly increases there are impressive. All of what I've said for Germany applies to France as well, another market where Lancia's current share is minuscule but where trends are looking up. Spain is a third market they are concentrating on, a turnaround from only a few years ago when I recall being told that the number of Lancia dealerships in the entire country had dropped to the grand total of 12...

Thirdly, the fact that Lancia has had a continued presence there is important. Even if they're small, their brand recognition there is more widespread, and more positive, than it is in the UK. In fact this is another problem in the UK context - what is Lancia's unique selling point? Due to the fact that Lancia has been absent for so long, Alfa UK pitches its products with a luxury-sports orientation, which (it seems to me) is essentially Lancia's remit? The question is, as a British buyer, why should I take a risk on what amounts to a glorified Bravo (or, in the case of the impending new Ypsilon, a glorified Punto), when I have so many good, established alternatives? Plus, all of that reckons without the mammoth challenge of Fiat UK's 'reputation' for customer 'service'.

"...a re-launch in markets such the UK which is after all the 3rd or 4th largest market in W. Europe or Japan which can't be ignored"

Why not? If the object is to turn a profit, there's a rolled-gold case for doing exactly that. Fiat UK hasn't been profitable in decades...

[Philip]

oh well, let's keep our fingers crossed...I come from Cyprus, another 'miniscule' ex Lancia market, where I grew up in the brand and because of the British 'debacle' we were starved of 'our' brand...anyway, on a happier note, today I saw two normally registered Delta IIIs on the road for the first time in Lausanne...funnily enough in the parking lot of a mall...one was packed with a family and the other parked...

[S4]

The Delta's initial sales figures seem promising. Out of interest, having seen it 'live', what do you think about it?

[Koen]

"""Out of interest, having seen it 'live', what do you think about it?"""

Beautifull !

I 'examined' the Delta for almost an hour : inside and outside.
It would be (for my family) a very good 'family' car . Enough interior space and enough space for luggage.
Doors open and close very well, you can find easilly a good driving position by adjusting the steering wheel / front seat up or down.
The seats upholstery was leather with alcantara : very nice and ambient.

Two (for me) minor points :
1) I'm not fond of 'aluminium' look on the dashboard (like more 'wood', which you can find in a RR and a Rover .
2) The beige coloured plastic on the front ceiling (interior light and commands to open the roof) is not really fine or good quality (seems to me).

For a test drive, I'll wait 'till the 1.4 petrol engine with 120 HP arrives at a dealer nearby.

Koen

[Philip]

I've driven it...and seen it live from the Geneva Auto show, to several visits at dealers in Geneva and Lausanne plus on the road...

the version I drove was the 1.4 turbo petrol; very fluid acceleration, nice ride and handling but a little more feel on the steering would have been nice. Quite comfortable, nicely finished (although I prefer my Lybra) and the seats look opulent and are fine. Rear 3/4 view a little poor...

The styling can only be described as striking...from the front, looking at it from a 3/4 angle it looks quite elegant, as does the back...much better in the metal than in pictures.

I think it would really appeal to the 25+ crowd but not sure how it will go down with us who grew up with the Fulvia, Thema, Lybra...to me its seems to be a 2010 reinterpretation of the Aprillia...defeinitely good value for money and a much better proposition than an Audi A3 or BMW 1 series which cost far more if similarly equipped and are also less roomy.

[Philip]

I will be driving the 1.9 diesel turbo one of these days as a demonstrator is sitting at the local dealers...more on that on another day.

[S4]

That's good to hear. The style took a while to grow on me, but I do like it. At first glance, the characteristic Lancia 'house style' isn't especially apparent, but that said, I think it's quite a good reinterpretation of Lancia cues for the coming decade. It also seems to me the concept was a bit ahead of its time in 2006 - just looking around on the street it's apparent that a lot of designs over the last couple of years have adopted the rising beltline, complex forms and swept C-pillar treatment the Delta has.

[Philip]

still on track apparently...

http://www.cardealermagazine.co.uk/publ ... hives/1574

[S4]

...until it isn't...

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoe ... k_bow.html

[Simon]

The suspense is over Lancia is officially not returning.
www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/236351/
from 4th December
Sad, but realistic in todays market.