Jean-Philippe ImparatoHead of Europe of Stellantis, goes straight to the point and does not use half measures to describe the Crisis that the car industry is experiencing And the negative consequences for Stellantis if things will not change quickly. Declarations that arrive during an intervention to the general states on energy organized by Forza Italia in Montecitorio. The synthesis of his speech? If things don’t change, Stellantis could be forced to make very difficult decisions including the Closing of some plants.
The fault lies with rigid European regulations
What should change? The reference is obviously at rigid European regulations on emissions. Furthermore, a second problem concerns thehigh cost of energyespecially in some countries. Jean-Philippe Imparato even talks about “industrial drama“Arriving in a few months and that nobody sees.
We are a few months after an industrial drama that few see. We still have to build 20% of electric cars in the EU separating cars and commercial vehicles. Today with 10% of the sales of the commercial sector I do 1/3 of the European share required. Each percentage point not reached costs, there is the risk of over paying 2.5 billion euros of fines between two, three years. We have to do something without killing the industry. In 2019 there were 49 cars on the European market that cost less than 15,000 euros, today one remains one.
In short, Stellantis may have to close the plants due to the risk of incurring heavy fines by the European Union for the failure compliance with the objectives on CO2 emissions. Then there is the problem of energy costs for industrial production, too different from country to country. According to Jean-Philippe I learned, an intervention as a European Union would need to reduce them, giving breath to the automotive industry.
In addition, to face the energy transition in the best way, a neutral approach is needed, focusing on multiple technologies and not only on electricity. So if things do not change shortly, Stellantis could be forced to make very “tough” decisions.
What do we want to do to avoid killing the industry? If things do not change at the end of the year, we will have to make tough decision, such as the closure of the factories.
And on Maserati …
Confirm that you don’t intend to sell it. For the future, less electric that cannot be a solution for Maserati. Jean-Philippe learned also hints at the fact that Maserati and Alfa Romeo can work close.
Let’s not give up. I saw a super motivated team and beautiful machines. We decided to work together with Alfa Romeo to propose a future to this brand. I don’t give up. Sale? I have heard many voices. In the end we have to keep Modena, Maserati and make an ad hoc plan. The electric cannot be the 100% solution for Maserati. We need to make machines and engines. I would like to recreate, like 10 years ago, a place where Alfa Romeo and Maserati worked nearby, perhaps we can find a right place. But I come back to you when I have something serious and public to say.
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