Rome seeks Stellantis commitments for Italian industry

The Italian government is engaging with Stellantis to secure concrete commitments in exchange for support, focusing on the development of a second model at the Mirafiori plant in Turin. This move aims to sustainably revive the Italian automotive sector, which has faced challenges in recent years.

Industry minister supports Stellantis projects

Industry Minister Adolfo Urso expressed willingness to back Stellantis' industrial projects during a meeting with the Turin Industrial Union. The Mirafiori plant, known for producing the electric Fiat 500 and its hybrid variant, is central to these discussions, with the potential arrival of a second model seen as key to optimizing the plant's capacity.

Stellantis cautious about production increases

Antonio Filosa, Stellantis' general director, has called for caution before expanding production. He emphasized the need for favorable economic conditions to ensure Italian plants remain competitive, particularly concerning energy costs and logistics, which he claims are higher in Italy than in other European countries.

Italian government tracks progress with industry

Adolfo Urso plans to convene automotive industry stakeholders before the end of the budget session to review Stellantis' commitments, new vehicle announcements, and planned investments. This includes monitoring contracts with suppliers, whose operations depend on production volumes at the plants.

Stellantis production shows improvement

According to the FIM-CISL trade union federation, Stellantis produced 340,745 vehicles in Italy between January and September 2026, a 28.3% increase from the previous year. Passenger car production rose by 36.7%, and commercial vehicle production increased by 17.3%, while part-time work programs have decreased by more than 30%.

Italian government funds innovation in automotive sector

The Italian Ministry of Enterprises announced a 631 million euro fund for innovation in the automotive industry, aiming to support research and development projects. The program is open to eligible companies and subcontractors, with the application portal set to open on November 25.

Rome aims to strengthen local supply chains

The Italian government is working to ensure that subcontractors, often medium-sized businesses, can adapt to new motorizations and continue supporting local plants. This includes emphasizing supply chain contracts to ensure that subsidies translate into actual orders and sustained production.

Stellantis faces uncertainty at Mirafiori

Despite increased production, Stellantis announced a temporary stoppage of production at Mirafiori in October 2026, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the recovery of the Italian automotive industry. The use of part-time work during this period underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the sector.