Timothy Hudson has owned four Alfa Romeo cars over the past five years. Like other fans of Fiat Auto's premium brand, the 45-year-old British businessman likes the cars' high-quality workmanship and distinctive styling. However, like other Alfa Romeo owners he has also suffered from the poor service for which the brand has earned notoriety.

"If somebody in a pubcriticises Alfa Romeo, I'll defend the product to the hilt," he says. "But ifpeople take issue with the service, I couldn't even try to defend it."