Alfa Romeo exec cites missed software updates in response to bad review of Giulia

Reid Bigland is full of BS and his response is both arrogant and offensive.

He's acting like this was an isolated incident just with the car that Road & Track had, but it's widespread.

Furthermore, press cars are gone over to make sure they are as good as they can be so as to make a good impression. Road & Track got the Giulia in the best condition possible and THAT is the issue.

The Giulia is not ready for prime time.

Bigland is not taking ownership of the issue. He's shifting the blame. That is bad leadership.

Cars getting software updates in and of itself is a fairly common practice at the dealership level.

But which other car comes from the factory unable to run to the point of being downright dangerous?

Answer: None...well maybe the Stelvio which did the warning light nonsense to a journalist.

Why does the Giulia come from the factory so undriveable that it needs software intervention? The Giulia simply is potentially unsafe to drive. Owners should lawyer up and sue.

The warning lights coming on in Giulias is very common. Going into limp mode is also in the mix for more than a few owners. Some owners have had their Giulias completely shut down while they are driving. And when I say shut down, I mean driving on the freeway at night then the engine dies and the lights go out.

Reid Bigland is Alfa Romeo's worst enemy. A stop sale on the Giulia is the correct answer.

While I appreciate your position - I would like to bring up the case of my Chrysler Mini-Van.

When I bought it - it had a bad front brake rotor - causing a pulsation fixed when they replaced the rotor.

Since then - I have had two recalls - both software related--and I other problem - which was also fixed with a software update. Mechanically (AND I am not enamored of FCA reliability) it has been no problems. Frankly - if GM or FORD had produced a Mini-Van with stow and go type seating - I would have chosen them - but this is the only choice - and it has been really surprising.

IT would not surprise me that a warning light could be a software problem - especially when it comes on unpredictably with no apparent mechanical problem. Going into limp mode has been a problem Chrysler has had for years - was originally related to their horrendously unreliable 4 speed and 6 speed Transaxles - and their design problems (No sprags). But - for years - one of the most unreliable things in these FWD vehicles were the input and output speed sensors - which would read wrong and send them into limp mode as well.

ANd as far as Reids responses - it does show responsibility - he is not saying the problems do not exist. And of course - in the end - reliability is what brings a customer back for their second car - something FCA will be having a big problem with.

Typical BS apologist thinking.

Agreed. I'd read way too many stories of people being placed at risk and it's not acceptable. And Reid's comments on it shows zero ownership and accountability. I can't help but picture a vast wasteland of dead Giulias/Alfas that are non-operational.

Given how poorly the Giulia is selling that wasteland will not be so vast LOL

Europeans and electrics don't mix.

Well-Clearly Bigland and Alfa are approaching this problem all wrong. The proper way to deal with this is simply as follows:
1)Admit that this is a factory glitch.
2)Until the glitches are fixed put a stop sell on all new cars.
3)Have a recall on all sold cars to update with new computer software.
4)Install updates on all unsold cars and new factory built cars.
5)Have a technical inspection center in US to short test all cars before they are shipped to dealers.
This would dramatically improve most unreliable issues with the car.