Nothing done at the first meeting of the "automotive development table". At the meeting organized by the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy (Mimit) to discuss the relaunch of Italian automotive production with sindacati, regions e stellantis no agreement was reached.
THEobiettivo of the table is to reach a development agreement with Stellantis and the trade unions, the eight Regions involved in the automotive plants and the ANFI to increase production levels. This includes the consolidation of engineering and research centres, greater investment in innovative models, the reskilling of workers and support for the reconversion of the component supply chain.
Today's meeting mainly aimed at examine the different positions and requests, starting a path towards the definition of a shared plan.
Urso: “We are aiming for 1 million vehicles produced in Italy”
The Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, opened the table by declaring its importance as a potential turning point for the sector, underlining how it was "the first time we have brought together all the actors in the automotive supply chain".
“The Stellantis table that is being established today, with all the players in the automotive sector, Regions, unions and Anfia – underlined Urso – represents a turning point for the country system to achieve an ambitious but concrete objective: reverse the decline in production registered in recent years in Italy for reach the threshold of one million vehicles by the company in the Italian production sites". “Last year, just 450 thousand cars were produced in Italy compared to one million and 400 thousand registrations and 80% of the incentives went to cars produced abroad, including by Stellantis. This can no longer happen,” said Minister Urso.
“We must allocate the resources we have to increase Italian production progressively and continuously until we reach that objective” explained the minister.
6 billion in incentives to be used
I 6 billion euros left from the fund established by the Draghi government will be used, in part, for incentives. Minister Urso underlines the need to encourage the purchase of cars produced in Italy, announcing a new ecobonus for 2024 with the aim of increasing production in the country. Otherwise, the funds will be allocated to other purposes or industrial policies, benefiting all car manufacturers.
“Citizens must be allowed to change cars for cars produced in the country. Next year we will create a new ecobonus which must have the aim of increasing production in Italy. Otherwise we won't do it."
“To the 6 billion – added Urso – are added, also for this sector, i 13 billion that we will deploy for the Transition Plan 5.0 in 2024 and 2025, for the green and digital technological innovation of our companies and therefore also of those in the automotive sector".
Stellantis confirms its commitment to Italy
Stellantis reiterated “theimportance of Italy in its global strategy and the intention to create a sustainable future for Italian activities”. The Group highlighted the positive contribution of Italian activities to the country's trade balance and underlined the shared objective of supporting vehicle production in Italy, aiming to reach one million vehicles (cars and commercial vehicles) by the end of the Dare plan Forward 2030, during a complex transition period in the coming years.
The head of Corporate Affairs Italy, David Apples confirmed "Stellantis' willingness to undertake a path with all the parties involved (ministry, Anfia, Regions and unions) while stating that "it is necessary to work quickly to implement those enabling factors that are fundamental for achieving all the objectives".
“We presented a shared plan with specific missions for each plant which will lead the Group to produce the largest portfolio of vehicles in the last 10 years - Mele continued - expanding the offer of our 10 brands to cover as many market segments. To achieve the final objectives – he added – beyond the performance level of each plant, a series of specific enabling factors are crucial, such as the cancellation ofimpact of the Euro 7 regulation for the continuation of the production of affordable models in Italy, adequate incentives for electric vehicle customers to support the market and the development of the charging network, and the improvement of the industrial competitiveness of Stellantis and Italian suppliers, including the cost of power".
Regarding Pomigliano, it has been stated that the Panda production in Serbia it is not in contrast with the one currently built on the Campania site.
Unions be cautious
The response of the unions is more cautious and they expect concrete facts in a short time.
“We told the minister that from two years we concretely ask for a development plan both for volumes and for employment. Let's hope it isn't yet another announcement because we are now drowning in announcements. Now the operational plan is decisive. We want concrete answers from this table,” he said Ferdinand Ulianus, national secretary of the Fim-Cisl.
Uilm is more optimistic: “With the new launches and including commercial vehicles, the objective of one million cars is within reach, since Stellantis' overall production should already be between 700 and 800 thousand vehicles this year. But we ask that yes move from declarations of principle to concrete facts, comparing plant by plant starting from the most urgent case of Termoli", they said Rocco Palombella, general secretary, e Gianluca Ficco, car manager.
Fiom's position is tough: "I don't see any concrete commitments from Stellantis", he explains Michael DePalma, secretary of the metalworkers of the CGIL. “Stellantis has opened up the possibility of producing 1 million vehicles in Italy. But for Fiom the objective to be achieved is 1 million cars and no less than 300 thousand light commercial vehicles, reducing the redundancy fund that affects all plants. Public resources must be allocated to guaranteeing production, producing new jobs and attracting new producers."
5 thematic working groups
The activities of the permanent table will continue, now dividing themselves into 5 thematic working groups:
- Market, incentives and future developments led by MIMIT.
- Competitiveness, with a focus on efficiency and energy, led by the Regions.
- Components, with the guidance of ANFIA.
- Work and skills, with the guidance of trade unions.
- Research and Development, and engineering centers, led by MIMIT.
The next meeting of the MIMIT permanent automotive table is scheduled by January 2024.
