Fiat Chairman Luca di Montezemolo and CEO Sergio Marchionne looked positively towards the future as they talked to the media in Bologna. "Fiat has had a very positive year in 2005 and in 2006 results will be in line with predictions." said Fiat's Sergio Marchionne, during the Bologna Motor Show, adding that it is a matter of organisation, "which is now beginning to produce almost world class results on the operating level. We ended last month with a very large portfolio of orders and we are seeking to finish the year on similar lines."

Switching focus to the Milanese brand, Marchionne continued by saying: "The foremost concern now is Alfa Romeo. We must work with great passion on Alfa Romeo, because this brand has a great potential, but the November market shares don't reward it. Alfa is still struggling, but things are bound to change when we market the 'Brera' model. It's beautiful, and the spider is even nicer. You'll see it at the Geneva show". Marchionne then focused on the Italian market position. "Alfa can drop here, but from here it must rise again, as Fiat did, in November. In the French market it's doing quite well, and in Spain too, while in Germany it still has problems, because we never developed it there. We have chosen three European countries where to concentrate on the development of all three brands next year."
 

Meanwhile Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, President of Fiat and the Italian Manufacturers' Federation was also in attendance in Bologna. "Fiat will close 2005 showing positive profits, as announced at the beginning of the year, and this is very important," he commented. According to Montezemolo, who was speaking about Fiat's financial results on the margins of the opening of the 30th edition of the Motor Show in Bologna, it is positive that "the commitments with respect to the objectives announced at the beginning of the year in terms of economic results and the general running of the company," have been upheld. "It is a tough battle, I wouldn’t want to give any of you an over optimistic feeling," continued Montezemolo. "It is a healthy and realistic optimism for what has been done and for what remains to be done. "When beautiful, technologically innovative cars are made, when there are motivated sales and when work is carried out with humility and determination but also with great Italian creativity, good results follow." Montezemolo concluded: "We have competitive products."