as demand for ethanol-powered cars rose, a stockpile of petrol-powered 2300s built up: as a result, alfa romeo forced the brazilian alfa romeo on european (dutch, swiss, and german) importers in 1981 under the designation alfa romeo 2300 rio. around 600 of the cars were shipped to the netherlands. the cars proved nearly unsellable and severe quality issues further deteriorated alfa romeo's image in central and northern europe, with the importers eventually being forced to buy back the majority of the cars brought over. in the netherlands, the bought back cars were sold on to used car dealers after three years in outdoors storage; without warranties the already decaying cars caused severe damage to alfa romeo's already crumbling reputation. the only real value of the rio seems to have been to provide parts for restorers of vintage alfa romeo 1900s.