Ford and Fiat made firm offers for Alfa Romeo.

In a joint communique, Ford and the state-owned holding company Finmeccanica S.p.A. said Ford expected a response to its equity stake offer by Nov. 7. Details of Ford’s offer for the Italian car maker were not disclosed. The U.S. company has been negotiating a stake in financially troubled Alfa since May. Shortly after the Ford bid was announced, Fiat offered the outlines of its counterproposal. It said the offer will be formalized later. A Fiat statement said Italy’s No.1 auto maker is willing to take an initial controlling interest in Alfa.