Stellantis’ Car Production in Italy Drops by 24%
Challenges and Opportunities in the Italian Automotive Industry
In Italy, the production of cars is declining while that of commercial vehicles is on the rise, presenting a mixed scenario for the automotive sector.
Despite the ambition to reach one million vehicles produced in Italy, this goal seems far off, especially with ongoing debates about the “Italian-ness” of certain models manufactured abroad.
The Production Landscape
Stellantis, a key player in the Italian automotive industry, has seen a decrease in production, with numbers varying depending on the specific sector and individual plants.
Commercial vehicles, notably the Atessa plant in Abruzzo, have shown a healthy growth of 28.5%.
In contrast, the production of cars has faced a 23.8% decrease in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
According to Fim-Cisl data, Stellantis produced a total of 170,415 vehicles in Italy in the first quarter of 2024, comprising both cars and vans.
This marked a decline of 9.8% (18,495 vehicles) compared to the first three months of 2023.
Projections suggest that total production for the year is expected to slightly surpass 630,000 units, down from 751,000 in 2023.
Challenges and Successes
The production crisis is particularly evident at the Maserati plant in Modena, which experienced a significant 68.2% decrease.
Concerns also loom over the Turin production hub (-51%), Melfi (-50.7%), and Cassino (-40.7%), while the Pomigliano d’Arco plant stands out with a positive growth trend of 26%.
Notably, the Pomigliano d’Arco facility has been driving production growth, largely attributed to the success of the Panda model.
Despite challenges, the Mirafiori complex, focused on electric Fiat 500 production, continues to face extended periods of temporary layoffs.
Market difficulties for electric vehicles have halved the production of the Fiat 500.
Stellantis anticipates potential improvement with the introduction of incentives.
Recently, 1,174 employees working on the Fiat 500 line at Mirafiori entered a solidarity contract lasting until August 4 to navigate through current challenges.
Political Controversies and International Production
In Cassino, production of Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio models has witnessed a significant downturn.
The introduction of a new Alfa model, initially named Milano and later changed to Junior, sparked political controversies regarding its Italian identity.
Additionally, the seizure of 134 Fiat Topolino vehicles in Livorno, produced in Morocco rather than Italy, due to the presence of Italian flag stickers, stirred further debates about national identity.
While the Italian automotive industry faces various challenges, certain plants like Pomigliano d’Arco showcase resilience and growth potential, emphasizing the need for strategic adaptations amid evolving market dynamics.
