Alexandre
On July 11, we were invited by Fiat to Turin, more precisely to the Lingotto, to celebrate a double event: the presentation of the new the new Fiat Grande Panda and the 125th anniversary of the Italian brand. Under the theme "Smiling to the future", this celebration brought together many influential personalitiesThese included John Elkann, Chairman of Stellantis, Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, and Olivier François, CEO of FIAT. Distinguished guests also included leading Italian politicians. Stellantis is said to have learned from the launch of the Milano Junior?
A host of VIPs
The ceremony was attended by the Minister for Enterprise and Made in Italy, Senator Adolfo Urso, and the Vice-President of the Senate, Senator Licia Ronzulli. Also present were Alberto Luigi Gusmeroli, Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies' Productive Activities, Trade and Tourism Commission, Alberto Cirio, President of the Region, and Stefano Lo Russo, Mayor of Turin. The automotive world was not left out, with figures such as Lapo Elkann, CEO of Garage Italia, Jean-Philippe Imparato, CEO of Alfa Romeo, and Luca Napolitano, CEO of Lancia.
A birthday party with a dual purpose
This celebration seemed to have two main objectives. The first was to ease tensions with Italian politicians. Indeed, Fiat has recently been at the heart of several tensions with the Italian government, notably around the Alfa Romeo Milano renamed Juniorthe lower production at Mirafioriand the Maserati Innovation Lab closes. The second, more strategic objective was probably to political support about the new Fiat Grande Panda, an iconic model whose production will, however, take place... in Serbia!
Urso vs Taveres - round 1
Minister Adolfo Urso took the floor for a 15-minute speech, underlining Fiat's historic importance for Italy. "Fiat is a brand that for decades has accompanied Italy in its economic and social growth. When it opened, Turin's Lingotto was the largest industrial complex in Europe. I don't want Turin to become an industrial museum. Fiat's success is Italy's success. Stellantis must continue to embody Italian style and elegance. Fiat is made by the people, not by the markets. We need to rediscover cohesion and social responsibility.
He recalled that he had given Carlos Tavares article 1 of the Italian constitution, which stipulates that the country is founded on work and not profit. "Profit is legitimate, but not at any price. Fiat must assume social responsibility, honouring the sacrifice of generations of Italians who have worked for this brand."
Urso vs Taveres - round 2
Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, replied with a counter-attacking speech, highlighting Fiat's resilience. "We love the 14 brands in our portfolio. Fiat has survived different legal entities, political regimes, and wars. Its heart has been beating here for 125 years and will continue to beat long into the future. Fiat is our number one brand in terms of worldwide volumes. The Fiat 500 is sold in 48 countries and is leader in 4: Italy, Brazil, Turkey and Algeria. 70 % of Fiat cars sold in Italy are produced in the country. Fiat is an Italian hero with worldwide success and is one of Italy's biggest employers, with over 40,000 employees. As global competition intensifies, we must adapt or disappear, and that's not an option."
Fiat's 125th anniversary celebrations in Turin were marked by strong speeches and clear objectives. There was also a speech by John Elkann, and it was made clear that the President of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, had been invited. Is that enough? More in the next episode!