I think he could have a point. Cars don't have a soul or character per se. But the people who designed them did.

And that in the end is what matters the most. See, you are in Germany. Everything is very clean, everything is where it should be, everything is very nice. But you don't really want go there, you don't enjoy it that much. Yes it's perfect, but perfection can't make up for the lack of interest.

However, when you go to Italy, nothing is where it should be, it's complete and utter chaos and you can't never find anything. But, despite being actually rubbish, it's a lovely place. You are fond of it, and you always regret it when you have to leave.

And the cars of each country reflect this, the sould and passion of their inhabitans. Alfa Romeos may not have character or soul, but Italians surely do, and that's why in a way Alfa Romeos do as well.