Alfa Romeo's overall benchmark has been BMW since the creation of Stellantis last year from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group. However, when it comes to quality, the Italian brand's boss picked another rival to emulate.
"My quality benchmark is Lexus," Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato said on the sidelines of a recent test drive event for compact SUV near Italy's Lake Como.
The quality-first mantra was repeated often by all Alfa executives at the event because Imparato has made it a priority for a brand to improve in that area, in which it often ranks near the bottom of independent studies.