Elkann: "New CEO of Stellantis by June, Italy plays a central role"

The President of Stellantis John Elkann He tries to reassure the Parliament while the automotive market in Europe is on his knees, close between the difficulties of the transition to electricity and the competition of Chinese cars. “For us Italy plays a central role,” clarifies Elkann. And confirms that the new company CEO will be identified “by the first half of 2025” after the former manager Carlos Tavares He left early December. The response of the parties, however, is warm, with transverse criticisms between the sides.

In two and a half hours of audition in the Chamber Elkann It traces the priorities of the production identified for the individual Italian plants of the group in the next five years and guarantees that at the table with the government of last year “we took a series of commitments against all the actors in the car sector, we are creating them punctually”. There is also a reference to the debate fueled in the last few days by the hypotheses of European rearmament: “We do not believe that the future of the car is the war industry, but the one on which the EU countries will consider important to put energy and resources”.

Without Stellantis the Italian car would disappear

The heir of the Agnelli dynasty underlines: “Of this long history of ours, of Fiat which has now become Stellantis; I am very proud “. And it claims:” If there was no star, we would not be here, the Italian car would have already disappeared for some time, like computer science after theOlivetti and chemistry after the Montedison“Elkann recalls that today Stellantis is the fourth manufacturer in the world” is profitable and invoice 157 billion “, while” twenty years ago we fought for survival “.

The economic commitment of the company for the country is not the new topic of the public debate. Elkann Chiosa: “I hope the budget give/have between the country and the company is no longer a divisive theme, but an opportunity to continue this virtuous path together that has lasted for 125 years, proudly with Italy”. A study carried out by Louis he specifies that “Stellantis from 2004 to 2023 produced 16.7 million cars and commercial vehicles in Italy, for a total value of national production of almost 700 billion euros”. For every euro of value created by the company, explains the research, “they generate 9 in the rest of the economy”.

Reactions

The tones of the audition are less on than those of the Tavares hearing last October, the criticisms remain similar.

• In the majority the Lega Attack: “His words are the umpteenth shameful teased”. The Carroccio points out that “his group grew thanks to the money of the Italians, who then fired to invest and take abroad. He should apologize”.
• By Brothers of Italythe group leader in the Chamber, Galeazzo Bignami, and the group leader in the Productive Activities Commission Gianluca Caramanna claim to take “Act of the availability of John Elkann to present themselves in Parliament” but nevertheless, “we cannot ignore the absurd policies put in place in the past, like the numerous relocations that led to the closure of many factories then reopened abroad. Green Deal who have contributed to weakening this sector and more generally the European market “
• Among the opposition, however, the leader of Action Carlo Calenda is among the most critical: “He has absolutely not responded to anything. In his glorious reconstruction there is no piece of responsibility, has he ever made mistakes? Why is the title put very badly and the sales as well”.
• The secretary Pd Elly Schlein notes: “We have read signs of divestment by Stellantis in Italy. There is a strong explosion of the layoffs, incentives for the exodus, movement of productions abroad”.
• Chiara Appendino del M5s He underlines that “unfortunately it is difficult to believe in the words of those who have promised several times without keeping and produces more cassintegrati than car”.
• The leader of Avs Nicola Fratoianni instead speaks of a “frankly very unsatisfactory audition: no guarantee, no concrete commitment, yet another postponement”.

The unions

The unions also show perplexity: according to Michele De Palma, secretary general Fiom-cgil, “Today’s communication in Parliament of the President of Stellantis, John Elkann, confirms our concerns. During today’s hearing no news emerged from what was announced in the meeting at Mimit of 17 December regarding the production missions of the individual plants “.

Scenarios

Elkann does not hide the complexities of the automotive sector in the country. “2025 will be another difficult year: the Italian market in the first two months is in contraction of 7% compared to the same period last year”. Since 2026, the President Stellantis estimates, “an increase in production is expected thanks to the launch of 10 new product updates in Italian factories, whose production levels will depend on the market and on external factors such as duties”. Then he repeats: “Even in a moment of persistent difficulties in the sector in Europe, we continue to invest in Italy”

Among the projects listed for the next five years: the Hybrid panda In Pomigliano, the new 500 hybrid in Mirafiori, the Stla platform in Melfi for the new Ds8. In Pomigliano, explains Elkann, the current production of the hybrid panda (La Pandina) has been extended until 2030, followed by the new generation of the same model. In Cassino, in addition to the current production of the Maserati Grecale and of Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelviothe new generations of Alfa Romeo Stelvio (presentation at the end of the year) and Giulia (in 2026) will be built. In Mirafiori, the lines for the lines will start in two weeks New 500 hybridcalled to ensure an increase in production volumes. Finally, starting from 2030, the new generation of the Fiat 500always in Turin.