Velocity Dropped Alfa Romeo | FerrariChat

Velocity Dropped Alfa Romeo

Discussion in 'Hawaii' started by Doc_K, May 23, 2024.

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  1. Doc_K

    Doc_K Karting

    Oct 19, 2014
    224
    Honolulu, HI
    Full Name:
    Ian K.
    Not sure if any will care, but I just purchased a Giulia Quadrifoglio in March of this year thinking: "Of course I'll be able to service it at Velocity, when I move back to the island." I moved back to Oahu a week ago with my car currently on the ship to get here. I called Velocity today to schedule my serpentine belt service and oil change and they informed me that they dropped Alfa Romeo as of May 10th and they will no longer service any of their vehicles. Crazy. Not only did they tell me that they won't service Alfa Romeo's any more, they didn't have anywhere to refer me to have my vehicle serviced. I would think it's to be expected that if they were to no longer sell the vehicles that they would at least service them for a certain period of time or have some sort of contingency plan for existing customers to which they told me that they don't. The engines in the QV are quite similar and share so many parts with their Maserati Counterparts. It genuinely feels like such a slap in the face. I was planning on spending almost 5K on service when my car got here. I am able to service and work on my car myself, but if anyone is able to suggest an alternative, I'd greatly appreciate it.
     
  2. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    36,744
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    Do all the former Alfa mechanics still work there? If not see if they'll tell you where they went. Good news is you are on Oahu. Should be someone.
     
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  3. Bob in Makiki

    Bob in Makiki Formula Junior
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    May 30, 2017
    455
    Honolulu
    Yikes. That’s a mess. How did you communicate with them? I would suggest walking over and talking to them. Maybe they can tell you something they could not put in writing.

    This sounds like they may have had a parting of the ways where the lawyers said keep your mouth shut. But maybe in person you can learn more informally.

    I’m sorry you are dealing with such a frustrating situation.
     
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  4. Doc_K

    Doc_K Karting

    Oct 19, 2014
    224
    Honolulu, HI
    Full Name:
    Ian K.
    Hey, Bob. I called them the other day. I feel like I am going to have to go over there. I called other European specialist shops in the area and nobody wants to touch Alfa Romeo's. My car shares a lot of parts with the California T. I'm hoping if I go over there next week, someone can give me some kind of explanation and recommendation.
     
  5. Bob in Makiki

    Bob in Makiki Formula Junior
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    May 30, 2017
    455
    Honolulu
    I think that's a good idea. I'll try writing some of the folks I know there, to see if they have any suggestions. But ultimately I think talking to them in person may be your best bet. I'll let you know if I can learn anything more.
     
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  6. Bob in Makiki

    Bob in Makiki Formula Junior
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    May 30, 2017
    455
    Honolulu
    Ian: Here is what I have now been told.

    You are right that Velocity no longer services Alfa Romeo. So, my understanding is that all of the proprietary equipment and employee access to factory data has been discontinued. That means they can no longer scan vehicles or access Alfa Romeo technical information.

    I was told that current owners are probably being referred to Cutter Dodge, which is also a Fiat dealer (which the Alfa platform is based on). I was told that while they might not have not have full access yet, they believe Cutter Dodge will be the servicing location going forward.

    I hope this may help. No guarantees that this is correct, just a best guess I think.
     
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  7. Doc_K

    Doc_K Karting

    Oct 19, 2014
    224
    Honolulu, HI
    Full Name:
    Ian K.
    Hey, Bob. Thank you so much for your insight. Hopefully we'll find out more in the coming weeks. When I had spoken with the girl at Velocity on the phone, she sounded like they didn't even really know what the plan was other than they were stopping service. I was able to find another Quadrifoglio owner on the island and he informed me he felt that their Alfa Romeo service was "horrendous" and said he did most of his ordering of parts and other business through a dealer in California, because of it. Maybe I'm not missing out on anything, lol. I guess we'll see what happens. Thank you, again, for your help!

     
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  8. Dai Baracca

    Dai Baracca Formula Junior

    Mar 4, 2007
    584
    NY
    Full Name:
    SB
  9. WPOZZZ

    WPOZZZ F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2012
    6,507
    Honolulu, HI
    Damn, I'm a month late! I need to send my Stelvio in for an oil change at Cutter Dodge, or I will have to do it myself. That said, I spoke to a Maserati 4Port owner a few years ago and he said Cutter Dodge used to service his car for him.
     
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  10. JoeCab

    JoeCab Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    May 27, 2014
    364
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Joe C
    Unless you need recall work or something that requires ECU reprogramming, there shouldn't be much need for access to the factory diagnostics software (WiTech in Chrysler speak).

    Most normal servicing can be accomplished by a relatively competent Euro independent, and there are a number of diagnostic programs that can read codes and clear service lights. The problem is most shops are so busy these days they don't want to take on unknown vehicles with a learning curve.

    FYI the Quadrifoglio V6 and the Maserati V6 are not very similar. The Alfa engine is most closely related to the V8 in the California T and 488 (minus 2 cylinders), while the Maserati V6 is a development of the Chrysler Pentastar engine (with a lot of bespoke engineering by Ferrari).
     
  11. Doc_K

    Doc_K Karting

    Oct 19, 2014
    224
    Honolulu, HI
    Full Name:
    Ian K.
    Do you have a Stelvio QV? Another owner took their Stelvio to Cutter for a repair and they made him sign a paper that waives his right to an estimate before they started any work. Laughable.
     
  12. WPOZZZ

    WPOZZZ F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2012
    6,507
    Honolulu, HI
    Yes, I saw that. I'll just do it myself.
     
  13. WPOZZZ

    WPOZZZ F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2012
    6,507
    Honolulu, HI
    I was at the condo yesterday, so I went downstairs to look for a Ferrari cap for the gf's nephew. Apparently, they only sell shirts now. So I asked about repairs for the Alfa. The receptionist said they haven't heard anything from Alfa as to who would service/repair the cars. She did say, if I needed an oil change, I could go to Jiffy Lube, Midas or some other place. lol
     
  14. RoyalPink

    RoyalPink Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    Mar 18, 2019
    1,560
    Southern Utah
    Full Name:
    John D.
    Yeah really. Next up, they'll be recommending Maaco and Earl Scheib for paint and bodywork. I remember those old (I was a kid of course) Earl Scheib commercials. I'll paint any car for $49.95 or whatever it was at the time.
     
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  15. WPOZZZ

    WPOZZZ F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2012
    6,507
    Honolulu, HI
    Next up, an Alfa recall for a seatbelt sensor that can prevent the airbags from deploying! I called Alfa customer service yesterday and was told the recall can only be repaired by an Authorized Alfa Romeo dealer. I told the girl, Jenny, we have none since Velocity gave up the dealership, and it is not like we can drive to the next state. She had no answer. What was really interesting, was when I was transferred to Jenny, she knew the exact year and model I had.
     
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  16. Doc_K

    Doc_K Karting

    Oct 19, 2014
    224
    Honolulu, HI
    Full Name:
    Ian K.
    Holy ****. I just saw this, too. I am really going through it right now. I just suffered a hit and run the other day and I'm wondering if the car is going to get totaled out. You know, I may be a new AR owner to the islands, but Velocity & Alfa Romeo USA sure does owe the island's AR owners an apology.
     
  17. WPOZZZ

    WPOZZZ F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2012
    6,507
    Honolulu, HI
    Sorry about the hit and run, but if it does get totaled, you will have the AR off your hands.
     
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  18. Bob in Makiki

    Bob in Makiki Formula Junior
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    May 30, 2017
    455
    Honolulu
    Yikes! Sorry about the hit and run.
     
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  19. Doc_K

    Doc_K Karting

    Oct 19, 2014
    224
    Honolulu, HI
    Full Name:
    Ian K.
    I've spoken to a few other owners and I think we are all going to contact the state's AG in regards to the recall. Nobody is here to help us, nor do they want to help us.
     
  20. WPOZZZ

    WPOZZZ F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2012
    6,507
    Honolulu, HI
    I got rid of my Alfa because there is no authorized dealer. If anything breaks on the car, you need an Alfa code reader, if you are handy and mechanically inclined. If not, AFAIK, there are no independent late model Alfa mechanics here. Just paying for the Autologic software would be cost prohibitive for a small customer base. As such, if something breaks, your Alfa will become an expensive lawn ornament. With the recall, I didn't want to take the chance driving family and friends in the car. They are fun cars, but without dealer support, it is very difficult.

    You could also get in touch with DCCA Office of Consumer Protection. They may be able to give you some leads. I have a feeling the AG will refer you to DCCA as this is a civil matter, and the AG usually deals with criminal proceedings and law enforcement. Your group may have to hire a litigator to communicate with Alfa USA. I don't believe Velocity owes any duty of care because they were an independent licensee that gave up the Alfa brand. However, Alfa does have a duty of care regarding the recall. How they will repair it is unknown. Perhaps they will send the Alfas to a Stellantis dealer, but like I said, the recall has to be done by an Authorized Alfa dealer. So that may entail signing some waivers.

    It was interesting that Velocity transferred their new Alfas to JN back in March/April. I saw them for sale but never thought about why it ended up there. Now we know why.
     

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