The plant: Pomigliano d'Arco

juni 4, 2009 by Rudolph

The Alfa Romeo 155 was assembled in the stabilimenti di Pomigliano d'Arco near Naples ^[1], one of the most important development projects in the Mezzogiorno.^[2]

In total 192,418 were assembled. See Production.

The facility opened in the early 1970s to build the Alfa Romeo Alfasud, a revolutionary small car renowned for its excellent handling and innovative 'boxer' engines.^[3]

At the end of the 60's Alfa's chief executive Giuseppe Luraghi had decided to build a small Alfa Romeo and had convinced Italian government to give financial support. But the government insisted the new car had to be produced in the poor South of Italy to stop the emigration of young people who did not see any chance to survive there. People who wanted to be successful had to move to the richer and industrially more developped North of Italy. Therefore the new car could not be produced anywhere in Milan or its surrounding area. Quickly Alfa Romeo now opted for the old Alfa Romeo Avio plant in Pomigliano d'Arco near Naples. On this old Alfa Romeo property they began to plan a completely new plant for the now called Alfasud project. The former airport of Alfa Romeo Avio was replaced by a test-track. 240 Hectares and 300 billion Lire were placed at Alfa Romeo's disposal.^[4]

With the opening of the factory in Pomigliano d’Arco in 1972, "Milano" was dropped from the Alfa Romeo badge.^[5]

The village of Pomigliano d'Arco is an agricultural centre with a castle dating from the 15th century. An air-force flight-training establishment is nearby.^[2]

Stabilimenti di Pomigliano d'Arco

Source: Leonardo Olivari.

 

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