Idle plants, surly unions and a weak, ageing model line-up – the challenges facing Fiat-Chrysler’s Italian revival sound a lot like the British car industry’s low point in 1982.

CEO Sergio Marchionne will be hoping the similarities don’t end there as he orders up sporty new Alfa Romeos and sleek Maseratis in a bid to repeat in Italy what British brands like Mini and Jaguar have since achieved under foreign ownership.