Alfa Romeo’s first dealership in Russia has been operative for a few days now. Its opening forms part of the company’s strategy for the Russian market and of the growing plans to develop the brand at a global level. The premises were inaugurated at the end of December in the presence of Antonio Baravalle, Chief Executive Officer of the Alfa Romeo unit, Simone Guidetti, Alfa Romeo Export Manager, and Mikhail Bakhtiarov, the Chairman of Moscow-based Major Automobile Holding.

It is planned to open seven new dealerships in the Russian federation during the course of this year; the first one has now opened in Moscow, with St. Petersburg and Ekaterinenburg set to follow swiftly. Sales volumes for 2007 are expected to be about the 2,000 unit mark. The Alfa 147, 159 and GT Coupé have already arrived in the Moscow dealership and they will form the mainstay of the new model thrust on the market. In a statement to the press at the opening of the Moscow dealership, Antonio Baravalle said: “Major Holding has extensive experience in selling and in the after-sales servicing of the luxury segment and boasts a large network of loyal customers.
 

"That is why we chose this company as a partner to present the Alfa Romeo brand on this market on an exclusive basis,” added the Alfa CEO. Alfa Romeo’s first showroom is unique in its interior design and furnishings which take their inspiration from those of an Alfa Romeo “villa” according to the canons of Italian rationalist architecture. In addition, the rigour and essentiality of the project as translated into forms, colours and materials contributes to the creation of an ideal framework for the sinuously aggressive design of the cars, making them absolute protagonists: everything is dominated by red and black which have always expressed the two aspects of the company’s soul, a combination of passion and technology.

Moreover, the new dealership's service centre operation is set to carry out diagnosis and repairs on automotive systems, including electronics. It is also equipped with a bodywork department and a paint shop. The dealership has a warehouse which is very well stocked with original spare parts. Customers are also offered original Alfa Romeo accessories.