Stellantis, Minister Urso’s thrust

If Stellantis is unable to guarantee the production of at least one million cars, then a new manufacturer in Italy will be inevitable. This was said by the Minister of Business and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, after the inauguration of the ‘House of Made in Italy’ in Turin. The minister’s words come in the aftermath of the harsh position of Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, regarding the hypothesis of the arrival of a new Chinese car manufacturer in Italy.

Tavares during his long speech on the occasion of the inauguration of the production plant for the electrified eDCT gearbox for hybrid cars said: “We have verified that the Chinese have production costs for electric cars that are 30% lower, which is why we must improve the our efficiency to fight Chinese competitors. We will remain in Italy and strengthen our presence. If someone wants to introduce Chinese competitors into the Italian market, they will be responsible for the unpopular decisions that would occur.”

Words to which Minister Urso responded this morning – Thursday 11 April 2024: “I understand that Stellantis’ Chinese partner intends to build a plant in Europe and is evaluating whether to do it in Poland or other countries. It could do it in Italy, well come”, and then adds, “In Spain there are seven car manufacturers, in other countries such as France, Poland, Germany, Slovakia and Hungary five or six. Italy is the only case in Europe where there is only one car manufacturer, which is unable to satisfy the needs of the domestic market. It is an anomaly that must be filled.”

“We are working to enable Stellantis to produce at least one million vehicles in our country. To support the related system it is absolutely necessary to reach 1.4 million vehicles”, he concluded, “If Stellantis believes it can do so welcome, otherwise it is inevitable that there will be room for another or more other car manufacturers. We are a free market and we can and must encourage Italian or foreign investments obviously within the rules of the free market and on this we are discussing this with those who believe they can build production plants in Europe”.