International Lancia Forums

According to a source in La Repubblica newspaper, the Thesis and Alfa's 166 will not be replaced! Whilst i was shocked at the news, i wasn't that surprised as neither car sells in great numbers. Apparently after these models are killed off, Maserati & Ferrari will fill that niche.

Shame as both cars looked a darn sight better than the E-Class & 5 Series!

If it's true re the Thesis, it doesn't surprise me too much. As I've said before Lancia loses a whole heap of money on every one they sell. Mind you I think it's pretty stupid to kill it as they spent so much money trying to (re-)establish Lancia as a prestige marque that losing it all just seems like such a waste - and the goodwill they have been cultivating will be lost if the Thesis isn't directly followed up. Not five years later, not ten, it needs to be replaced directly when it is time. The other thing is, if Lancia is being pushed as the high-technology arm of the group, a luxury car in the class of the Thesis is essential as a leader for all of this new technology. Bad news all round if you ask me, if it's true.

Interesting thing though is that over on the Italian section of the forum there are shots of Theses with black masking tape on the front and rear. What you can see doesn't look any different so I can only surmise it's a re-engineering job for the V6 versions for the GM unit in place of the Alfa one.

Speaking of which, it does surprise me that they're not replacing the 166. Okay, it sells almost unbelievably badly and the depreciation, at least in the UK, is horrifying, but I'd argue that's rather more to do with the car itself, which was ok at launch but feels pretty tired now. If they followed it up with a car as good as the 157 promises to be, and quality to match, there's no real reason why they can't make money on it. Especially as Alfa's brand image is decidedly the strongest of the three at present. Devaluing the Maserati or Ferrari brands to compete in the 5-Series sector seems like a waste of time and a rapid burning of brand equity to me.

P.S. The new Five is hideous.

makes me wonder what confidence Fiat Auto has in its "Premium" brand if it doesn't replace the Thesis, and probably (unless someone has heard differently) won't replace the Lybra. So then Lancia will have the new Y, the Musa and the Phedra-what sort of line up is that!? Surely if Fiat Auto intend Lancia to take on Mercedes & BMW then it needs more cars in its line up.

If Fiat Auto doesn't show confidence in the brand, how on earth are future customers going to??!

I agree , I have driven numerous different brand cars in different countries I have lived and always liked the Italian cars I have owned. But whoever is running Lancia at the moment really has their head in the ground. The come up with a ground-breaking styled car like the new Fulvia and then say they are not going to build it.

Brainless really. Too bad for them as I now in the demographics that the Germans target and again my money will be going elsewhere than to Fiat Auto.

I had once read a rumour, ac ouple of yrars ago, that Fiat Auto ws toying with the idea of selling the brand to Toyota...a shame they didn't...they would have kwnon how to maintain the real spirit!

As long as Lancia were left completely independent that could have worked. Unfortunately I don't think that was ever realistically on the cards and I'd rather a Lancia with still some of the traditional Italian flair under Fiat (stupid as they are) than some sort of Lexus lookabitlike. I can't think of a Japanese car that I've ever gone weak at the knees for - oh, well, I lie, Honda makes some outstanding cars, and Mazda's made some nice enough ones, but nevertheless, I've never felt the slightest inkling to actually go out and buy a Toyota.

Does not supprise me at all, they should keep Thesis and keep upgrading, what is wrong with them, do they think that they can brake into MB and BMW market share in 2-4 years only.

I was hoping that Luka M will bring some sense in FIAT.

I was on highway to Rome last month and I had a look in the rear mirror, from 300 to 500 meters I could recognoise Thesis by it's grill and lights, I love it. Two of them went flying buy me at more then 180kmh.

Typinc dumb decission on FIAT behalf, nothing new......

On my recent trip in Italy, I followed a Thesis down the Turin-Milan Autostrada.

Finished in discreet non-metallic grey, I thought it oozed class and looked superb at about 100 mph.

Paul

Don't all take this the wrong way but I think you are dreaming , The Thesis is a over-priced Front wheel drive car. Don't get me wrong I own a Lancia Delta HPE and Alfa Romeo 156. But the paint finish I have seen on all the Lancia Thesis here in the Netherlands is horrendous. Orange peel paint work on not just one but all that I have seen on a car trying to compete in the luxury brand. And please a front wheel drive with not much more technology than a Alfa 156.

Fiat need to take a leaf out of the French book. Renaults and Pugs are now oozing in style and have been designed at what they are good at. They can be bought in most parts of the world. Where can you ever by a Fiat or Lancia !!! No where outside main-land Europe and South America do they sell in numbers. Fiat is a classic case of the rest of the world moving on and leaving them behind. Much like the British car industry!!!!.

Sorry to say this but unless Fiat get there act together you can kiss good bye to Lancia !!!. And I for one will be sad to see it.

sorry...but are we talking about the Lancia Thesis here?

I've also seen my fair share of them here in Switzerland and my impression is exactly the opposite; which Pug has more class than a Thesis or BMW or Mercedes for that matter?

Please look at this:

http://195.128.235.88/staff/ChB/AJ657-QA-13.jpg

it's a very recent extract from a French magazine where they place the Thesis as No. 1 in terms of quality and reliability in its class...better than Mercedes E-Class or % series...let alone the Pug 607 of Vel Satis...

In fact they had never tested a car of ANY class which was superior in terms of quality. I have the full article if anyone is interrested and reads French.

You're right about Fiat sales around the globe but they are making strides in India, South Africa and some other far flung places...let's see what this new managment team will come up with; I just hope the brand survives and wish them all the best...

I drive a Lybra 2.0LX and enjoy it every day...never gave me any trouble and its now over 80K
Philip