[
TURIN, Italy – Italy's solely main automaker might be compelled to make some powerful selections for Stellantis, together with closing a Chinese language automobile manufacturing plant in Italy, the top of the Franco-Italian group mentioned.
The Italian authorities has mentioned it’s in talks with Chinese language automakers, together with Tesla and Chery Auto, to draw considered one of them to fabricate in Italy and enhance nationwide automotive manufacturing after years of decline.
“If somebody needs to introduce Chinese language competitors, they are going to be liable for unpopular selections,” Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares mentioned at an occasion in Turin.
“If we’re below stress, the one factor we are able to do is speed up our efforts to extend productiveness to be aggressive,” he mentioned.
He mentioned Stellantis would doubtless lose market share and gross sales quantity.
“Then we received't want as many crops as we do now,” he mentioned. “We’re prepared for conflict, however in conflict there are casualties.”
Tavares mentioned hypothesis that Stellantis was planning to secede from Italy was “pretend information”.
“We’re investing closely in Italy,” mentioned Tavares, who has clashed with the Italian authorities in current months over the group's manufacturing ranges within the nation.
He introduced that the automaker will prolong manufacturing of its best-selling Fiat Panda petrol metropolis automobile by 2030 to deliver affordability to clients.
The inner combustion engine model of the Panda, which is produced in Pomigliano d'Arco close to Naples, was scheduled to be phased out in 2027, whereas a brand new, electrified model of the automobile is because of launch later this 12 months. are alleged to.
Tavares was talking at an occasion to inaugurate Stellantis' facility for the manufacturing of electrified dual-clutch transmissions (EDCTs) for hybrid and plug-in hybrid electrical autos on the group's Mirafiori advanced in Turin. (Reporting by Giulio Piovaccari, modifying by Gianluca Semeraro and Ross Russell)