Joe over at My Ford Dreams has been focusing on what Ford could prop up their showrooms. Specifically he has been investigating desirable, fuel-efficient B and C Class cars from Europe.

This makes a lot of sense. Cars like the Mini, Scions, and Mazda3 have proven that compact and subcompact cars CAN sell well if they are fun, well-built and have decent handling.

Joe’s posts drove me to investigate what GM had in its international arsenal that could quickly bring more cars with a little zing to the U.S, with minimal modifications (new grilles, taillights and federalization only). Seeing as GM has about 37 new crossovers already scheduled for the next couple years, and that the aim is to bring smaller, fuel-efficient cars, I ignored MPVs and anything larger than the European C Class.

Like Joe, I started in Europe, but with the recent shift to make Saturn the US arm of Opel and the Vectra and Astra already heading here is some form, would there be much left to help Buick and Pontiac out?
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One of the quirks of DC are the cars you’ll see that are not sold in the U.S. I would guess this is due to the large number of foreign nationals that live in DC while working for embassies and organizations like the IMF and World Bank. Many of them must bring their cars with them.

When I drive to work, I occassionally see a right-hand drive BMW 318i (2003+ E46) with the European white turn signals. With the exception of a Mercedes-Benz A200 I occasionally see at the local Panera, most probably blend into the background for the average American commuter.

Today at lunch, though, I saw one that frankly surprised me… a Nissan Serena from the late 1990’s. First, most cars from overseas that I run into are no more than 4 or 5 years old. Second, it just looked so odd in the middle of Ameirican SUVs, minivans and cars. The image doesn’t describe how skinny the Serena is.

Unfortunately, I did not have a camera handy, so I wasn’t able to snap a picture. The Serena in the image, though, is a doppelganger, including color and trim level, for the one I saw.

Alfa Romeo is returning to the US!

Since I have been a wee lad, I’ve just had a thing for Alfas. When I was very young, one of our neighbors drove an Alfa Spider Veloce. It made the Olds 98 in our driveway seem stodgy and boring. Later, I would be green with envy when said neighbor passed the Alfa to her son, who proceeded to trash it. To me, Alfas have always had the sexiness of the Italian exotics, but with a more practically and an obtainable price tag.

If Alfa Romeo does return, there is a good chance I may jump to Alfa Romeo. Question is… Do I get a Brera, 159 or Sportwagon? I love them all.

Part of me, though, is skeptical. Several years ago, when GM had a stake in Fiat, there was serious spectulation that Alfa Romeo would return using Saab’s dealer network. That, of course, was to be doomed. This time, Alfa Romeo will be using the Maserati dealer network to reintroduce the brand to the American market. (Maserati and Alfa are both owned by Fiat.)

And, if you needed further proof that all the cool kids will be driving Alfas, Swade of Trollhattan Saab fame has started a new Alfa-centric blog, AlfaBlogger.