In May, AutoTalk reported on two independent Alfa Romeo and Fiat servicing workshops in Melbourne’s outer suburbs being starved of onemake factory-specified oil.
Anotonio Scafidi and Laura Cannistrà’s modest family business depends on a relationship with a range of parts suppliers for both aftermarket, non-genuine and 100% authentic genuine Alfa Romeo and Fiat parts for the most passionate of their loyal customers.
“We also have customers who say they will not service their Fiat or Alfa with anybody else because they are a part of our family, so we honour them by giving them the best customer service we possibly can,” Cannistrà says.
“Quite a number of customers also say they absolutely will not have anything other than totally genuine Alfa Romeo parts used on their car,” she adds.
When the business tries to order Selenia oil, which the customer has requested to ensure everything is Alfa Romeo’s specified brand, they can only order from the franchised dealer network in Australia.
“It can’t be imported independently and nobody is allowed to stock it,” Cannistrà explains.
“So, we order five litres, but the quote comes back saying four one-litre bottles are on back order, and we would’ve been supplied one litre – that order also had a three-month delay,” she reveals.
“We can’t wait that long, but we also can’t order enough back stock to keep a steady supply,” she adds.
Fiat Chrysler Australia resonded to AutoTalk’s questions regarding the supply of specially-formulated Selnia oil to independent workshops.
“Yes, Alfa Romeo dealership departments are allowed to on-sell Selenia oil to independent workshops,” an FCA spokesperson says.
“This helps to ensure the correct product is used for Alfa Romeo vehicles. ”
Asked what volumes the dealer network’s back-order supply of Selenia oil holds, FCA says it “differs per dealer, based on dealer orders and service centre requirements. ”
A second Alfa Romeo workshop AutoTalk spoke to says the Selenia oil situation is just one sticking point.
“There are equivalent oils you can use from other brands which match the performance and then some, but they don’t protect special solenoids which are prematurely chemically damaged by anything other than Selenia,” Matt says.
“The new Selenia oil blend recipe is not licensed to any other oil brand …I would suspect many workshops, possibly even some dealerships, are not using Selenia oil because whenever I’ve contacted the warehouse, they tell me it ‘hasn’t been in stock for months’ or ‘hasn’t been made available’,” he reveals.
A third workshop contacted this week says they always keep Selenia oil in stock because of its critical importance in servicing customers.
“I don’t take any chances, Selenia oil is the only type we use,” he says.
“If we used more than 5% of another oil it will damage vital components and void the warranty; I have this information through the dealer network bulletin,” they concede.
He says Alfa Romeo is just one of many brands, including popular mass market brands, using or specifying unique grades of oil.
FCA says it values and appreciates all customers, whether they are a first-time Alfa Romeo customer, or long-term advocates of the brand.
“Customers can service their Alfa Romeo outside of the FCA dealer network, however, FCA Australia recommends all Alfa Romeo customers service their vehicles at an authorised Alfa Romeo dealership, where the technicians are factory-trained and genuine Alfa Romeo parts are used,” the spokesperson says.
“Alfa Romeo owners are highly focused on performance and design in equal measures.
They are independently minded and confident in their decision making; they don’t see themselves as followers or wanting to fit in with the masses,” FCA says.
“’Driver at the centre’ has been a consistent brand attribute, and this has translated into vehicles that love to be driven,” FCA adds.
All three Alfa workshops contacted say they too can perform logbook servicing, advanced diagnostics and two are VicRoads-approved licensed vehicle testers capable of issuing roadworthy certificates.
All three offer technical expertise, use of specialised tools while fitting quality OEM parts at “less than factory prices”, including advanced oils and lubricants.
But it seems the jury is still out on just how much choice that independently-minded and decision-making consumer is given in where they take their beloved Alfa.
The question remains why some Alfa workshops can’t be properly supplied Selenia oil, “the lifeblood of Alfa Romeo”, but franchised dealers can.
