All the new ones, in spite of increasingly international capital and markets, debut in Mirafiori, a bit like ministers swear to the Quirinale. Here are their stories
“We can do it, we will return big.” Sergio marianneJune 2004. “In Turin the first installation for electric cars”. Mike ManleyOctober 2018. “You have two beautiful factories, but you have too high production costs, and they do not depend on the labor”. Carlos TavaresFebruary 2021. «I am one of you, I know the efforts you make. Together we will make it ». Antonio FilosaJune 25, 2025.
For all debut in Mirafiori
All the streets of the new CEO of Fiat They start again and inexorably from Turineven if for twenty years they have chasing the signs, first, of Fiat Chrysler and then the Stellantis. All the new AD, in spite of increasingly international capital and markets, They debut in Mirafiori, a bit like ministers swear to the Quirinale. Traditionally, the top managers take on the title of “Generali” by reviewing the troop, from that army of “blue suits” more and more to reduced ranksand in constant downsizing in the bodywork that assembled the “Italian miracle” and the mass motorization.
From sweater to puff pastry
And it is proper on the day of the investmentin the words of the managers and in the clothing (from the sweater exhibited as a trademark by Marchionne to the “Total Black” sported by Tavares to the puff pastries of Filosa), which Turin begins to glimpse the frame after frame where he takes the road to a multinational At the same time with deep roots in Turin but less and less Turin-centric. Sergio Marchionne as an illustrious Italian Canadian unknown from Geneva to the city at the end of spring 2004, after the turbulent road by Giuseppe Morchio for not even thirty days. And it falls into Turin who tries to blossom with the 2006 Olympics with the energy of a Saetta on board An Audi A6 that he felt secretly in a corner of the Lingotto. It is not yet the era of the sweater, but of the tie that struggles to be knotted.
The joke of Montezemolo
Seven days after the settlement, accompanied by John Elkann, just appointed vice -president of Fiat, the lawyer manager and financier to fasting of industrial experiences, visiting Mirafiori, already with reduction risks, welcomed by a letter of workers in which they ask for employment guarantees, especially for the agreement on the PowerTrain with GM. The company lost in the first quarter, 192 million euros. And it is one step away from bankruptcy. “Fiat is excellent,” Marchionne pulls straight, now everyone at work “The priority is the car.” The accounts are scary. But there is also talk of changing language at the Lingotto; Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, president of Fiata joke for the presentation of Marchionne also releases: “Our Pippo Baudo”, indicating the Simone Migliarino press office among laughter.
Mike Manley’s first test
An anticipation of the years at double speed, of the non-stop work along the Turin-Detroit routes, free from converting with the banks, from the pact with GM, from the acquisition of FCA, the relaunch of the Italian establishments baptized by a “very carbonated” Renzi. Mike Manley, American manager, already CEO of Jeep, and already free from a tie, takes over the dramatic days of Marchionne’s death disease. There are no red rugs, but the funeral and the condolence for the Italian-Canadian super manager. Yet it will be him, Manley, to anticipate the electricity revolution with the launch in Turin, Not very lucky if seen with the rear -view mirrors of the time, of the first electric platform in Italy with the 500 ber and 5 billion of investments. Meanwhile, the Palazzina del Lingotto, historic Fiat headquarters, is put on sale. Turin remains with the factories of Mirafiori and Grugliasco.
Stellantis after the wedding
After Fiat Chrysler there is Stellantis’ debut, which was born from the wedding between FCA and PSA, which is icy in fact, rough in words. «You have two beautiful plants, but too high production costs. And they don’t depend on the workforce », it debuts so with a blow from Ko Carlos Tavares in Mirafiori suggesting that two factories in Turin are too many. Mask in the face, it is the season of Covid, the Portuguese top manager repeats to workers without giving the pill: «I’m not a demagogue. In Italy the wages are lower, but in the end the cost of the product is higher that in France where salaries are higher than in Italy. The cause is not the labor, but everything else, starting with the services, on which it will have to be engraved ».
Factory for sale online
The Maserati plant ends up on Immobiliare.it. Cost containment policies lead to purchases of components abroad, 80% in low cost landscapes. Several iconic Fiat models are allocated outside Italy: the mouse in Morocco, the new Alfa in Poland, the great Panda in Serbia. Tavares’ controversy Vis ends up in the political debate. The clash with the ministers of the Meloni government becomes daily in a crescendo almost as a comedy of art. “It is not legal to call an Alfa Milano car if you produce it in Poland,” thunders the minister of Mimit Urso. The accounts go badly, especially in America, and Tavares also leaves the scene after yet another curve.
At the wheel there is Filosa
After six months of interregno to guide John Elkannhit in the heart by the whistles of the spectators who accompany him to the ATP Finals of Turin, working to mend the relationships with everyone, institutions, unions and suppliers, at the wheel arrives Antonio Filosa, a 55 year old manager who grew up with Marchionne. Meanwhile, Maserati returns to Modena with the latest remaining models, a Turin there are another 600 volunteer outputs. In Mirafiori Filosa presents itself as “one of you, I know the efforts you make. I know that for you and your families it is a difficult period of change ». Filosa Visit the White Shirt Mirafiori plant, rolled sleeves and large smilesand then wants to meet a group of workers. They are about 300. It offers pizzas and puff pastry, as a sign of its Neapolitan origins. His office will not be Mirafiori but Detroit. The American market must be put back in sixth to restart the Stellantis engine. Yet he assures: «I am one of you. I will visit a plant every week ».
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