AUTONEWS

Stellantis has made peace with Giorgia Meloni's government?

Relations between Stellantis and the government of Giorgia Meloni have been at a standstill, with angry Italians accusing former CEO Carlos Tavares of leading the Franco-Italian-American giant to relocate the manufacturing of some models to markets with higher costs. of lower production. Furthermore, the Italians also did not forgive the fact that Tavares put the brakes on the investment in a battery factory for electric vehicles, which was planned but then slipped, leaving Meloni on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

Now, with the Portuguese manager removed and John Elkann (from the Agnelli family) — as Italian as Meloni — in charge, representing the group's largest shareholder, the path to peace is open. To avoid any doubts, Stellantis has announced an investment in Italy of 2 billion euros in 2025, as if to demonstrate its long-term commitment to the country where, between 2021 and 2025, it will invest a total of 10 billion euros. This effort will be accompanied by government support of €1.6 billion for Stellantis' supplier network in Italy next year, with a further €1 billion scheduled for 2026.

In a meeting with the Italian Minister of Industry and union representatives, Elkann and a group of Stellantis management members reached an agreement that, in addition to the considerable investment in the transalpine country, the group will move forward with the introduction of new models, with emphasis on three Alfa Romeos. The choice includes the replacement for the Stelvio SUV, in 2025, and in 2026 the sedan that succeeds the Giulia will appear. The third model is still a secret, but everything indicates that it is a new top of the range, according to Reuters. What they have in common is the fact that they are all produced in the brand's factory in Cassino, in the south of Italy, between Rome and Naples.

In addition to the plans planned for Cassino, Stellantis' other factories have not been forgotten. Melfi is expected to produce the new Jeep Compass, as well as the future Lancia Gamma and DS7, both with the possibility of offering hybrid and 100% electric versions. The Pomigliano D’Arco production line will be adapted to the group’s new platform, the STLA Small, in order to be able to start manufacturing the old Panda by 2030 and, at the same time, the new generation.

In Mirafiori, the current Fiat 500 will continue to be manufactured until the end of 2025, with the new generation expected to arrive in 2032, while the Atessa plant, specializing in commercial vehicles, will manufacture vans for Fiat, Citroën, Peugeot and Opel. The Modena plant will be transformed into a center for the production of latest-generation vehicles. If until now it only produced Maserati, from now on it will reinforce production with luxury vehicles from Stellantis. And Termoli, which focused on engine production, will become a Gigafactory to manufacture batteries for the French Automotive Cells Company, which emerged as a result of investment by Stellantis and Saft, from Total Energies, which was later joined by Mercedes.

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