Alfa Romeo News

While mainstream brands Ford and Honda wowed the crowds with fire-breathing supercars, the top end of town was more about whetting appetites of buyers in the huge and lucrative US market with production-ready models.The Alfa Romeo 4C is already a sellout in Australia, with 180 hands up for just 120 coupes.Now the demand is certain to jump even higher with the unveiling of a 4C Spider.The open-air 4C is more of a targa car than a full-on convertible, because the mid-engined layout puts the powerplant where the roof would normally fold away.The 4C is already the most charismatic car of the current Alfa generation, with a carbon-fibre chassis, gorgeous shrink-wrapped body, and turbocharged 1.8-litre petrol engine that makes 177kW and 350Nm of torque.The Spider keeps with the lightweight promise of the coupe, weighing in at less than 900 kilograms.The car is expected to arrive in Australia in the first quarter of next year.The new Q7 was the focus of the Audi stand and it was a technological tour-de-force.The show car had a new 10-inch computer tablet that can be used by back-seat passengers to control the radio and to watch their trip progress on the navigation system, much like a passenger jet.There's also an advanced radar and camera system that enables the Audi Q7 to accelerate, brake and steer itself automatically in stop-start traffic up to 60km/h.And the technical wizardry doesn't end there. The new Q7 can reverse a trailer into position using cameras and radar via a touch pad in the centre console.The new Audi Q7 is due in Australian showrooms later this year priced at about $100,000.There are no details on the engine and no concrete plans for production, but the Buick Avenir — French for "the future" —turned heads both in Detroit and Melbourne.A joint effort between Holden's styling studios in Port Melbourne and General Motors' design centres in Detroit, the car was built here and shipped to the US just before Christmas.It was unveiled by former Holden boss, and the current president of GM North America, Mark Reuss.For now, the Buick Avenir is just motor show tease, but Holden insiders say the striking limousine will likely be made in China and sold globally.It may also come to Australia as the eventual replacement for the Holden Caprice.The German sports car maker unveiled new versions of the 911 Targa and Cayenne SUV.To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Targa (half coupe, half convertible) model, Porsche has launched an all-wheel drive GTS version. Power is boosted by 22kW over the Targa 4S to 316kW, enabling a 0-100km/h sprint of 4.3 seconds.The Cayenne Turbo S betters that time by 0.2 of a second.Both models will go on sale in Australia in the second quarter of this year. The 911 Targa GTS will start at $305,300 and the Cayenne Turbo S will sell from $284,700.Toyota's luxury brand Lexus whipped the covers off the long awaited high-performance version of its mid-size limousine, the GS. Called the GS F it is powered by a high-revving 5.0-litre V8.The only problem is, while the peak power of 348kW is reasonably impressive, that only kicks in at close to 7300rpm and torque — the grunt that gets you moving — is a more modest 527Nm. A $45,000 Holden Commodore SS has more (530Nm). Expect it in Australian showrooms late in 2015 or early 2016 priced beyond your pay grade.A concept with more curves and contours than Kim Kardashian previews Infiniti's take on a 2+2 sports coupe.The Q60 concept will morph into the production car by 2016, powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 engine.The steer-by wire system already seen on the Q50 is also used here, along with Infiniti's Intuition system, which can store details on audio, airconditioning and seat position preferences for up to four drivers.When it finally arrives in Australia the road-going car will be expected to compete with Audi's swoopy A5 and the BMW 4 Series.There's no news on prices but the current Q60 starts at $63,990.A new heavyweight contender has joined the ranks of crossover coupes.The GLE Coupe is a curvy high-riding four-door SUV that will compete with BMW's X6.Two versions were at the Detroit show this week, the full-on 63 AMG and the (slightly) less aggressive GLE 450 Sport, with a diesel-powered 350d and GLE 400 to follow.The X6 was originally the answer to a question that no-one had asked, but has become a big global sales success.The newcomers are part of a wholesale overhaul of Mercedes-Benz's wagon range in 2015 that includes the replacement for the mid-sized GLK SUV and the new GLA Shooting Brake.There is no talk yet of prices, but the GLE Coupe is certain to have a starting price beyond $100,000 when it arrives here in the third quarter of this year.A new group of 6 Series "halo" cars took the spotlight for BMW in Detroit as the German company celebrated its fourth straight year of sales growth with more than two million deliveries in 2014.There are only minor changes to the M6, 650i coupe and Gran Coupe but global marketing boss Ian Roberston says the trio will be part of a global focus on growth."These are clearly the sportiest and most luxurious 6-Series vehicle we have ever built. We are launching a lot of new products again," he says.

Topless Alfa 4C sports car revealed at the Detroit motor show.Alfa Romeo has taken the wraps off the production version of the new 4C Spider, as previewed by the Spider concept at last year's 2014 Geneva motor show.Based around the same mid-engine carbon fibre monocoque structure as the 4C coupe, at 1128kg the Spider is only 10kg heavier than its hardtop sibling and around 180kg lighter than its nearest Porsche Boxster rival.That exotic carbon fibre structure also means the 4C should lose little chassis rigidity in the transformation from hardtop to Spider, though it is believed Alfa Romeo has tweaked the suspension slightly to compensate for the loss of the fixed roof.The roof is a manually removable lightweight carbon fibre item to match the distinctive composite windshield. The rear buttress can also be specified in carbon fibre but comes finished in black as standard.Power is supplied by the same 1.75-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine as the coupe, which sends 177kW/350Nm to the rear wheels via a six-speed twin-clutch transmission. While a 0-100km/h acceleration figure hasn’t been specified, the Spider should match the coupe’s 4.5 seconds – 0-96km/h (60mph) is claimed to take 4.1 seconds.Like the coupe, the new 4C Spider does without power assisted steering in its pursuit of lightweight performance and purist handling feedback.Visually, the new Spider can be differentiated from its coupe counterpart by its new cooling ducts placed ahead of the rear wheels, redesigned alloys, new engine cover and centre mounted exhaust tips if the optional Akrapovic titanium exhaust is fitted.Three different exhausts will be available on the 4C Spider – the standard system, a race setup that does without mufflers and features Y-shaped cats for reduced cabin drone and the dual-mode Akrapovic system.The cabin of the 4C Spider mimics the coupe’s and features the same sparse design with flat-bottom steering wheel, digital TFT instrument display and Alfa Romeo’s DNA drive mode selector.Moving up from All-weather to Race mode through Natural and Dynamic, introduces varying degrees of electronic stability control intervention, faster gearshifts and revised differential actuation. A launch control system is also calibrated into Race mode, designed to give the ultimate getaway.Strong overseas demand and limited build numbers for the 4C coupe has delayed its arrival on local shores, but is expected to become available in the coming months.The new 4C Spider variant isn’t expected to arrive in local showrooms for at least another twelve months.  

In a year when the overall car market shrank, all but a handful of prestige brands increased sales. Buyers don't just want a good car; they want others to see they have one, helping everyone from Maserati to Mercedes-Benz post gains.The trend is accelerating and a steady stream of new models in 2015 only adds to the impetus. CarsGuide looks at what's in store for the premium players this year.It isn't hard to foresee the popularity of the 4C two-seat coupe when it hits showrooms next month. This baby supercar uses a carbon-fibre tub, mid-engine layout and minimalist interior to present a modern incarnation of a stripped-down racer. Pricing will be $80,000-$100,000. The soft-top Spider is due in October. The Alfa Giulietta also gets an update.A steady new model rollout starts in February with the arrival of the TT coupe for just under $80,000. It will be joined by the soft-top roadster midyear and the TT S performance model in August or September. The plug-in petrol-electric A3 e-tron five-door hatch is due in May with an expected price of $60,000, with the Q7 large SUV due late in the year. Updates or variants include the A6/A7, RS6/RS7, A1, RS3 and Q3/RSQ3.New metal is in short supply at the British brand but two models will join the line-up, starting with the Vantage S Roadster at a shade under $420,000. If that isn't exclusive enough, consider the $500,000 Vanquish Carbon using the same V12 but with eight forward ratios in place of the Vantage's seven.BENTLEYChauffeurs will going cap-in-hand to buyers of the Mulsanne Speed for the chance to steer the best Bentley ever. A twin-turbo V8 cranks out 1100Nm - only the Bugatti Veyron can torque itself up as a more powerful production model - to push the 2.7-tonne limo into triple figures in 4.9 seconds. Pricing has yet to be set but if you have to ask, you can't afford it.There's a lot of product in the pipeline this year but only one all-new car. The X1 will switch to front-wheel drive when the second-generation model arrives in the third quarter. The X1 will look more mini-SUV than compact wagon, aligning it with the X3 and X5. Top-end versions will be all-wheel drive. Updates and new variants include the 2 Series convertible, X5M/X6M, 6 Series/X6, 3 Series, X4 M40i and X5 e-Drive.The 458 range has a Speciale A due next month. The 499 examples of the alloy hardtop model are already sold, meaning the $635,000 two-seater is likely to be a smart investment. Keep an eye on the classifieds.The struggle to be a serious prestige player continues for Infiniti with a major model overhaul due in 2016. A refreshed Q70 flagship is due midyear with a nip-and-tuck for the bumpers, updated interior trim and more safety software.The transition from niche player to prestige powerhouse is predicated on the XE sedan being a genuine rival for the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and BMW C-Class. Specs indicate the engines are up to the job, so it comes down to how well it can be priced in Australia. There will be updates for the F-Type coupe and convertible and XF sedan.Styling that echoes the Evoque and a premium interior mark the Discovery Sport, debuting in May. Essentially a replacement for the Freelander, the Sport is a serious off-roader with 600mm wading depth and four-wheel drive. Also expect a Range Rover Sport SVR, Range Rover hybrid and updated Evoque.A compact performance sedan, the RC F will cost $133,500, making it a 'budget' alternative to the Germans. The naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 isn't quite on par with the Euro competition but neither is the price. The GS F mid-sized sedan will use the same engine and is due later in the year, price undisclosed. The NX200 will get a new turbo engine.No new news is still good news for Lotus aspirants. An automatic Exige - the brand's first self-shifter - is due in the second quarter. Expect to pay around $9000 for the clutch-less version, putting the price above $135,000. An updated Evora should land late with less weight and improved interior.An 'affordable' McLaren is due late in the year with an entry level Sport model priced at more than $300,000. That puts it in the higher echelons of Porsche 911 territory - but still well below typical McLaren prices.Australia's top-selling prestige brand rolls out a range of new toys this year to expand its appeal. The action starts with the AMG GT and C63 AMG in the second quarter, both using a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8. Skip ahead to Q3 and there's the new GLE (formerly known as the ML) and GLE coupe SUVs, followed by the CLA Shooting Brake and the much-needed GLC compact SUV. Other updates or variants include the S63 coupe, CLS, B-Class and S500 coupe.The action starts with an entry-level five-door Mini Cooper One at $25,600 in February. It is powered by a three-cylinder engine with 75kW/180Nm. At the opposite end of the spectrum is the John Cooper Works three-door hatch, which will be the Mini with the most mumbo ever when it arrives midyear at an estimated $48,000.There's plenty to whet the appetite for performance enthusiasts, even if it is all clad in existing bodywork. The base V6 and performance GTS Cayenne SUV models are due next month, followed by the Turbo S midyear. An update of the 911 should make it before Christmas and Santa may deliver the new GT4 Cayman at the same time.The XC90 large SUV is due midyear with prices starting from about $90,000. A more affordable alternative will be the V60 Cross Country due late in the year from $65,000. The elevated version of the V60 wagon will be sold in FWD and AWD guise.

Refreshed Giulietta hatch brings cabin refinements, improved safety features amid price rise.Alfa Romeo has refreshed the Giulietta just in time for Christmas, bringing cabin updates and improved safety features to the hatchback.Following 18 months after the most recent revisions, the Giulietta's styling has also been subtly tweaked, with a revised version of Alfa's trademark shield grille.The base-level Giulietta has been discontinued, leaving the Giulietta Progression as the new price leader, starting from $29,000. This represents a $4,450 price increase from the outgoing Giulietta and a $1,550 increase from the previous Progression.The Progression now features rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring, a five-inch touchscreen multimedia system, along with new seat fabric, dashboard trim, redesigned multifunction steering wheel and 16-inch alloys.The new Giulietta Progression also sports a 10Nm stronger 88kW/215Nm version of the 1.4-litre four-cylinder turobcharged petrol engine from the previous model, paired with a six-speed manual transmission.The updated Giulietta Progression continues to be equipped with Alfa's DNA driving selector as well as the stability control, electronic differential, LED running and tail lights, auto headlights and wipers.The top-spec Giulietta Distinctive jumps by $3,650 to $33,000, and gains the same five-inch touchscreen multimedia system from the Progression and also adds parking sensors on the front to accompany the ones on rear. The Distinctive's touchscreen can be optioned up to a 6.2-inch version which also adds satnav.New equipment also includes electric-folding side mirrors, automatic wipers and headlights, heated leather seats, auto-dimming rear view mirror and a redesigned multifunction steering wheel.Like the Progression, the Distinctive carries the DNA driving selector, stability control, dual-zone climate control, LED running and tail lights from the previous version.The new Distinctive's updated 125kW/250Nm 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine can be paired with either a six-speed manual or six-speed dual clutch TCT transmission. The manual slightly reduces fuel consumption over its outgoing version, with a combined figure of 5.7L/100km down from 5.9L/100km.

Pat Dougherty to head Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in Australia.Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has announced Pat Dougherty will become the group's next Australian CEO and President, taking over the role from Veronica Johns who announced her departure on Tuesday.Dougherty has been with the North American arm of FCA for over 30 years, and moves into the role on December 1, from his current position of Vice President of Mopar, the parts and service division of FCA.Prior to this, he was the Head of Fleet Sales, Network and Operations and Head of Fleet Sales in North America.Veronica Johns tendered her resignation from FCA in August of this year citing personal reasons, but her departure was only made public earlier this week.Ms Johns’ two-year tenure at the top of FCA Australia saw not only record sales, but also a dramatic shift in the treatment of women within the company’s Australian arm.John Kett, Corporate Vice President of FCA and General Manager, APAC Operations said the company will look to continue down the path Ms Johns crafted."We need to continue our focus on sustainable growth across all of our brands and imperative to this will be the further development of our after-sales business to ensure that FCA is one of the most customer-focussed automotive companies in the market," he said.

Veronica Johns oversaw record sales at the Fiat Chrysler Group, and took a unique approach to breaking down the gender barriers.The first Australian woman to head a car company, Veronica Johns -- who earned notoriety for tearing down workshop posters of naked women, as well as record sales -- has announced her resignation as the boss of the Fiat Chrysler Group after almost two years in the role and 16 years with the corporation. Her departure at the end of the year means there will no longer be a woman as the boss of any car brand in Australia. Ms Johns earned the credibility of her industry colleagues after overseeing record sales growth, but she also quickly attracted attention from car dealers after she tore down posters of naked women in workshops during showroom visits. “It does take a certain personality type to cope with men in the car industry,” said Ms Johns. “Thankfully we’ve eradicated any gender issues in our company.” The transition didn’t come easily for some people. “When I started you could still walk into workshops with posters of naked women on the walls. “I ripped them off and threw them in the bin. The (workers) didn’t say much, and I’m sure they probably got them out of the bin after I left. “Women have to work in this environment and that’s what they’ve got to look at. Some people in the industry are blind to it. It’s just accepted as the norm and it shouldn’t be.” Ms Johns, 43, said she’d taken down posters of naked women “about four times” over the past three years, but hasn’t had to do so lately. “We’ve eradicated the gender issues from our business, but it’s still in other parts of the car industry,” said Ms Johns. The Melbourne-based executive says women are in more prominent positions in the car industry globally, but Australia is still catching up. In January 2014, Mary Barra became the first woman to become the global boss of a major car company, as the CEO of General Motors based in Detroit. Only handful of foreign women have run car companies in Australia over the past 15 years. American Judith Wheeler was the first, she ran Chrysler-Jeep in Australia from 2000 to 2003. Germans Jutta Dierks and Anke Koeckler successively ran Volkswagen’s Australian operations from 2007 to 2013. But Ms Johns is understood to be the first Australian woman to have run a large car company in Australia. At the time of her appointment in May 2013, she edged out male rivals from North America who were keen to take up the prime posting. Ms Johns said the car industry -- and car buyers -- would benefit from gender equality. “With modern technology so many cars have so many similar features these days, the biggest difference is how you treat people,” said Ms Johns. “Women are very competitive, and some can be brutal, but I believe we are still more inclined to treat people with kindness and respect. I think that, and the ability to relate to people, comes more easily to women than to men.” Car industry consultant Tony Devers, the former boss of Honda and Suzuki motor vehicles in Australia -- who accurately predicted in 2010, three years before any announcements, that the local car manufacturing industry would close by the end of the decade -- says there should be more women in the car industry. “There’s no excuse, women clearly have the skills and the drive and the passion for the business, but they typically tend to come into the car industry in marketing or human resources roles,” said Mr Devers. “The executives who rise to the top in the car industry have earned their stripes in sales, finance and strategic planning,” he said. Ms Johns will work with the her successor -- due to be announced in the coming days, and likely to come from Detroit -- until the end of the year, when she is expected to announce a new role the automotive industry. Under Ms John’s leadership, the monthly sales of Chrysler, Jeep, Fiat and Alfa Romeo vehicles increased by 53 per cent as the rest of the industry grew by about 2 per cent. So far this year, sales across all four brands are up 39 per cent in a market that is down 2 per cent compared with the same period last year. When Ms Johns accepted the role to run Fiat Chrysler Group Australia in 2013, she said: “I don’t think it makes a difference if you’re male or female in this business anymore. Good people rise to the top. The car industry is not a man’s world anymore.”

New S-Class Coupe to make Australian debut at Motorclassica, along with appearances from Maserati, Jaguar, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin and Lotus.Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building will play host to Motorclassica this weekend, as over 500 cars and motorcycles fill the world-heritage listed building and its surrounding grounds.Celebrating classic cars and bikes, Motorclassica started as a concourse event but has since grown to become a motor show-style exhibition which has attracted attention from several iconic sports car marques.Among the classic cars at this year's event will be new models from Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Porsche, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Lotus, Caterham and Morgan.Each of these brands have rich histories, and Motorclassica gives manufacturers a platform to build on this heritage with their latest models.S-Class Coupe will be available with a number of powertrains, including the 430kW/900Nm AMG 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8Mercedes-Benz was the first contemporary manufacturer to debut a new model at Motorclassica last year, and will use this year's event to reveal its new S-Class Coupe to an Australian audience for the first time.The new model is Mercedes' flagship luxury coupe, replacing the CL-Class range, and will rival the Bentley Continental when it goes on sale locally in the first quarter of next year.Though Australian specifications are still unconfirmed, the S-Class Coupe will be available with a number of powertrains, including the 430kW/900Nm AMG 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 aboard the S63 performance flagship.Maserati will celebrate 100 years in the automotive business at this year's show and is expected to be represented strongly with iconic past models. The Italian marque's new Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans will also be on display, along with the Gran Turismo and Gran Cabrio two-door models.Jaguar will showcase its F-Type R Coupe, the firm's most powerful production model ever, while fellow British brand Aston Martin will have a Vanquish and V8 Vantage on display.Lotus will also show a pair of mid-engine Exige S sports cars, one hardtop and one roadster.The show will also celebrate 50 years of the Ford Mustang with a special display featuring the most desirable and classic Pony cars, although the new 2015 model due to go on sale in Australia next year won't make the show.Motorclassica 2014 will run between October 24-26 at Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building.

Get ready for a new Italian dish. After three years in the cold, Alfa's new four-door Giulia sedan is poised for launch here next year.The car - a parts-bin exercise with input from Ferrari and Maserati - will be the first new-breed Alfa sedan since Fiat-Chrysler Automobile boss Sergio Marchionne shook up the brand, declaring earlier this year that he wanted it returned to its pre-Fiat sports roots.Integral with Marchionne's new focus, all future Alfa Romeos will be rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, have a strong accent on performance, and be wholly made in Italy. "Alfa Romeos have to be produced in Italy with an Italian powertrain," Marchionne said at the Geneva motor show in March."Some things belong to a place, and Alfa belongs to Italy." The Giulia - a name resurfacing from the original 1962 sedan - is expected in Australia early in 2016. It is a successor to the front-wheel drive 159 and will be made as a sedan and wagon.Its entry price could be under $45,000 based on predictions of a car equipped for the UK market, where it will be launched in late 2015. Fiat Chrysler Group director of communications in Australia Karla Leach says only that it's a car "we'd definitely take". She says no details of the car or its launch date have been released.The Giulia was an on-off project since 2011. At one stage, Marchionne pulled the plug because he says the designers came up with a car style that looked "bland like a Lexus". The restyle creates a shape more aligned with the current Giulietta - a model ironically that may be ditched - and uses some frontal styling highlights of the 4C coupe.More than a pretty shape, the Giulia will use drivetrains including some designed by Ferrari and shared with Maserati. The 3.0-litre V6 turbo, from the Maserati Ghibli, is likely to be the top-shelf power option.The Giulia may also come with Alfa's 180kW 1750cc turbo four-cylinder - used in the Alfa 4C coupe and Spider - or a new 1.8-litre version with 221kW. European markets are also likely to get a turbo diesel.Transmission options could include the 4C's dual-clutch gearbox but it's made ideally for a transverse design and its harsh gearshifts may be unsuitable for Alfa's desire for an up-market sedan. The Giulia may use a ZF auto, from the supplier of the Ghibli's eight-speeder.Alfa is on record as saying the Giulia, and its big-sister Alfetta due in 2017, will aim to combine sports handling with sedan ride comfort.Suspension design will include active-roll control that automatically adjusts springs and dampers through corners and over irregular road surfaces.An additional active damping system would enable the driver to adjust the ride and handling balance.The Giulia is also expected to come standard with the switchable DNA program - already available on the MiTo and Giulietta - which changes steering weight and accelerator response. The sedan - and later a wagon - will be built at Fiat's Cassino factory near Rome. The engines will be trucked in from Fiat plants in southern and central Italy.

Next week will see the unveiling of a five-year strategy for the Fiat-Chrysler group, and it's expected to include the spin-off of Alfa Romeo as a separate entity. That would see the struggling brand sit apart in a similar way to Ferrari and Maserati, in which the group also has a majority stake.The plans also include limiting Alfa Romeo production to Italy, sourcing engines from Ferrari and having only rear-wheel drive cars -- all strategies that have proved successful for Maserati.According to industry journal Automotive News, Fiat-Chrysler head Sergio Marchionne wants to shear off Alfa as part of a relaunch for the brand, which includes public disclosure of its financial statements."Marchionne needs to make Alfa's P&L clearly visible to make this new relaunch attempt into a credible business proposition," a source is cited as saying. Echoing the Maserati strategy, there would be only rear-wheel drive Alfa cars, with all-wheel drive platforms being used only for SUVs and crossovers.Marchionne has rolled out a number of different strategies -- four in total -- to boost Alfa out of the doldrums over the past 10 years. But despite the most recent plan having a target of seeing annual sales rise to 500,000 by the end of this year, the brand finished 2013 with just over 20 per cent of that figure.Marchionne will reveal the new Fiat-Chrysler strategy on May 6.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott

Gerry Dorizas has arrived at the most critical time in the history of the red lion and will take the company through the shutdown of local production, and the death of the Commodore, into a future that is still being defined.Greek-born Dorizas is not in Australia to win a popularity contest, but he says he is at Holden because he believes in the brand and its future. "Everywhere I have been, there has been a fire," Dorizas tells Carsguide.That means he's been through troubled times at Alfa Romeo, and Volkswagen, Toyota, Hyundai and even Mercedes-Benz. Most recently, he was in India with Volkswagen. And that's not a good place.His plan, broadly speaking, is to return Holden to the top by putting its customers first. His target is number one in showrooms by 2020. But it's not going to be easy, or quick, which is why he is committed to at least seven years at the helm of Holden.And there you have the big difference between Dorizas an every other CEO I have seen at Holden over the past 30-something years. Holden was always a stepping stone to somewhere else, even if it was the last stop on the road to retirement for German firebrand Peter Hanenberger and Aussie sales guru John Bagshaw. There has been a long succession of mid-level American managers who came and then moved on with a tick on their report card, even if blokes like Mark Reuss and Alan Batey continue their love affair with Holden and Australia from their new jobs in America."I have joined Holden. I have not joined GM," Dorizas says bluntly. He is not ready to share any product plans, but talks optimistically about changing the Holden culture from headquarters in Fishermans Bend down to the workshop floor in the most remote dealership. "The brand is made up of people. There is a lot of work for all of us. I'm ready to fight," he says. "We have to get our customers back. We have to delight our customers."The reaction to Dorizas' plan is predictable and not particularly positive. "Tell him he's dreaming," says one rival executive. But he has a plan and he's been hired from the outside to make a difference on the inside. "What I ask is, give us a chance. Don't be so tough on us. We will walk the talk," Dorizas promises.But 2020 is a long way off, and a return to number one in Australia at the expense of Toyota is every further from today's reality. So, what can we take away from the first Carsguide chat with The Chief?Dorizas is smart and feisty, he has experience and good ideas, and he's not just a company man. The first change he has made is obvious. Every Holden executive now has a red lion badge on their suit lapel, which seems like a tiny thing but is a very real reflection of renewed pride in a brand which has lost its shine.This reporter is on Twitter: @PaulWardGover