Alexandre
On August 7, 2024, an important "tavolo automotive" was held at Rome's Palazzo Piacentini, organized by the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy (MIMIT), chaired by Minister Adolfo Urso. This crucial meeting brought together the main players in Italy's automotive sector, including Stellantis, trade unions and representatives of the regions concerned. The aim was to take stock of the future of the Italian automotive industry, faced with a series of unprecedented challenges.
Mixed results for government incentives
Minister Urso began by taking stock of the incentives introduced in June to support domestic automotive production. While some objectives have been achieved, such as fleet renewal, with 83 % of vehicles purchased benefiting from the scrappage scheme, others have not. The Minister admitted that the ecological incentives had not had the desired effect on increasing production in Italy. In response to this situation, a new three-year incentive plan is under studywith a budget of 750 million euros for 2025 and 1 billion euros per year from 2026 to 2030. This plan aims to give priority to production with a high content of European components, thus guaranteeing more sustainable production in line with European priorities.
Stellantis ready to reopen dialogue after the summer
With regard to Stellantis, the meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the situation at our Italian production sites, in particularr Termoli plant, whose future remains uncertain due to delays in the investment planned for the creation of a gigafactory by the ACC joint venture. Minister Urso stressed the strategic importance of these investments for the local economy and the need to maintain competitive production in Italy.
Giuseppe Manca and Daniela Poggio, representatives of Stellantis, reported that the Group was prepared to reopen discussions after the summer break, in September. The aim will be to update the industrial plan in line with the new European policies on energy transition and the realities of the automotive market. This announcement is seen as an opening for constructive dialogue between the government and Stellantis, although differences of opinion remain.
The rescue of Magneti Marelli and the arrival of Dongfeng
In addition to discussions on incentives, Minister Urso also announced the successful rescue of the Magneti Marelli factory to Crevalcore, a success achieved thanks to close collaboration between all stakeholders. This rescue is part of a series of government interventions aimed at preserving industrial jobs in Italy.
The Minister also confirmed that discussions were underway for the establishment of new automotive companies in Italy, in particular with Chinese automaker Dongfeng. A technical mission to China is scheduled for the end of August to explore new industrial collaborations, particularly in hybrid technology and electric mobility.
Unions worried about an uncertain future
The unions, for their part, expressed their concern at the current situation. Rocco Palombella, General Secretary of Uilm, declared that "this tavolo has created further doubts and concerns", pointing out that an apparent rift between the government and Stellantis. He also insisted on the need to resume discussions with Stellantis to guarantee the future of thousands of workers in the sector in Italy.
Ferdinando Uliano, from Fim-Cisl, called for more inclusive industrial policies, while Michele De Palma, from Fiom-Cgil, pleaded for a strategic and extraordinary plan for the Italian automotive industry, emphasizing the importance of innovation and a just transition for workers.
A European meeting on the horizon
Finally, Minister Urso announced European meeting scheduled for November to discuss the introduction of tariffs on cars produced in Chinaa subject that could have major repercussions for the automotive industry in Italy. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to protect European production from Chinese competition.
At the end of the 80s, 2 million cars were produced in Italy. Italy was Europe's 3rd largest producer, with 23% of production, just behind France. Today, Italy accounts for just 3% of European production. Spain, with which Italy is comparable and which has no national manufacturer, represents 17%... To return to the same level of production, billions would have to be invested. In the past, the Italian state has done the Agnelli family a lot of favors: it authorized the takeover of Alfa and Lancia, which put Fiat in a monopoly position in the peninsula. They subsidized the establishment of factories in the south. They granted tax breaks worth billions. The result after 40 years: no more production in Italy, no more head offices, no more taxes paid in Italy. Lancia is dead, Alfa moribund, Maserati for sale. I'm thinking of the Italians, they need to work with dignity, and if it's going to be the Chinese who give them work, well, let's do it quickly. With Stellantis, there's not much to discuss, except which production site is available for other dynamic, serious manufacturers.
Personally, I don't agree with everything you write, even if some of it is right. I think the Italian government needs to find solutions for the brands that aren't doing well! they need to find solutions with Stellantis! in my opinion, we need to avoid the Chinese, and the end consumer needs to be made aware of the need to buy cars built in Europe! I'm outraged when I see Chinese MGs in the hands of Europeans! they'd rather give their money to the Chinese than to Europeans! then they complain!
The round table should have been held 20 years ago. Today, there's almost nothing left to save. And as an Italian, I have no qualms about buying from China, America or anywhere else. It's not acceptable to show economic patriotism when my country has been virtually wiped off the map of general automobile manufacturers. Those who made the decisions to leave thousands of families out in the cold must expect these same people to turn their backs. In southern Italy, many of the new cars are from DR, GM or Lynk & co. First and foremost, they're affordable for the people of the south (for the unemployed in Stellantis, among others...), they're rather pretty and their finish is more than adequate. You don't need anything more.