Changes coming to the FCA plant Pomigliano d'Arco: “The future Panda, which will arrive in 2019-2020, we will not make it there, we will not do it in Italy. With all due respect, Pomigliano knows how to do better”. This was stated by the CEO of FCA, Sergio Marchionne, in a press conference at the Geneva motor show.
CEO plans to keep in Italy, in the future, only the premium models: Alfa, Maserati, Renegade and 500X. For this next Panda model it will not be made in Italy. The future of Pomigliano, as far as we understand from the rumors, could instead be with Alfa or Jeep models.
Marchionne then confirmed that they will arrive in the future a smaller SUV than the Stelvio and a bigger one: "But I still don't know in what order we'll do them." According to rumors, the small one could be built in Pomigliano and the large one in Mirafiori.
As for Alfa Romeo, “has a great future. We are happy with what has been done technically with the platform with Giulia and Stelvio. I expect great things from the brand. Finally the first Stelvios will arrive in America in the second quarter of this year. It was a great effort to relaunch Alfa, the first results will come in 2019, I won't see them either. Now we need to give it space and complete the range”.
In terms of possible alliances, Fiat Chrysler could once again propose a merger with General Motors or even with other automotive groups.
“I never close any door – Marchionne said – even if it is impossible to close GM's door, because it has never opened: I knocked but got no answer. I could do it again, and I could knock on any door if I thought it was right for the business."
Marchionne then explained that Fiat Chrysler has not spoken to General Motors about the sale of Opel to PSA, but at the same time he said he was "convinced that bringing all these businesses together is essential. If you don't do this, we will have increasingly low margins and this is not good for having a healthy business”.
Therefore, the acquisition of Opel by PSA is "a first step in the right direction" and "will stimulate other agreements" in the automotive sector, Marchionne said again, underlining that it is "a good agreement: it will be a good encouragement for the industry".
