ROME (Reuters) – Italy hopes to be a central part of Stellantis’ future strategy and wants carmaker Fiat to protect factories on its territory, Industry Minister Adolfo Urso said on Saturday.
“There must be a plan for the affirmation of Italy within the Stellantis industrial plan that protects national factories,” Adolfo Urso said at an event in Rome, ahead of a key meeting on the Italian auto industry , scheduled for December 17 and in which the unions will also participate.
After the abrupt resignation of chief executive Carlos Tavares earlier this month, Rome hopes to repair its strained relationship with the carmaker, whose brands also include Alfa Romeo.
Italian politicians have repeatedly accused Carlos Tavares of neglecting historic sites and moving production abroad.
“There are no more Tavares, he has not understood reality,” Adolfo Urso said at an event organized by his party, the Brothers of Italy.
The minister added that he understood that things had changed when the president of Stellantis, John Elkann, called the president of the Board Giorgia Meloni to inform her of the departure of the general director.
Adolfo Urso said the government wanted Stellantis to commit to providing “significant financial resources” to ensure Italy maintains a competitive auto industry.
Giuseppe Manca, head of human resources and industrial relations at Stellantis in Italy, was alongside Adolfo Urso on the automotive panel and said he hoped Tuesday’s meeting would result in “good news”.
(Reporting by Angelo Amante, Benjamin Mallet)
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