ALFA Romeo is the latest car company to offer post-GST pricing in a bid to keep sales afloat as the new tax system looms nearer. The company is offering a $4000 refund on its 166 flagship, sales of which have been slow since its launch last August. The 166 earned 116 sales during its first eight months on the market - an average of just under 15 cars a month. Cynics may suggest the GST-based refund is just a discount by another name but Alfa Romeo argues otherwise. "While the $79,990 price of the Alfa 166 remains the same, every purchaser of the 166 will receive a refund of $4000 from Alfa Romeo to cover the difference between old and new prices for the Alfa 166," an Alfa Romeo statement says. The "tax back" offer is not applicable to other models in the Alfa Romeo range. "As has been widely predicted, the market is now showing very real signs of slowing pending the arrival of GST," Alfa Romeo Australia general manager Mr Rob Dommerson says. Alfa Romeo has struggled to establish itself in the luxury car segment and neither the 166 nor its predecessor - the 164 - have posed a serious challenge to the dominant players in the segment, Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Powered by a 166kW, 3.0-litre V6 engine matched to a four-speed automatic transmission, the Alfa Romeo 166 comes well equipped. Standard features include a handcrafted leather interior, automatic climate control, alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, electric windows and mirrors, remote central locking, electrically operated and heated seats and a six-stack CD player. Alfa Romeo's relatively poor resale values and dubious build quality in years gone by are the main reasons why the Italian marque has been unable to challenge its German rivals in the premium car segment.
