Some called the concept audacious (eight brands, 14 speakers and 19 PowerPoint presentations — in one day?). Others compared the 10-hour session to a “hostage situation.” And most couldn’t believe the detail — “there are 87 pages in the Fiat brand presentation!” said one Twitter follower.

As if Sergio Marchionne and his ubiquitous black sweater haven’t done enough to shake up fashion, last week he showed us how to open up a little more, how to let our secrets flow.