Auto Table: far from agreement with Stellantis on production

The balance of the incentive campaign that started last June, the guidelines of those that will be launched from 2025 and the negotiations with Chinese manufacturers. Alongside these three topics, which were the focus of the automotive table held yesterday at the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy (Mimit), there is perhaps the most eagerly awaited one: that is, the increase in production levels of Stellantis in Italy. It will probably be discussed again after the summer, in the context of a confrontation that Minister Adolfo Urso in recent days has described, perhaps euphemistically, as 'tight'. The agreement on guarantees for one million vehicles to be produced in Italy (from 2030 or, Mimit's ambition, from 2028) still seems far off.

On the other hand, when presenting the numbers on the progress of the incentive campaign, Urso admitted that the objectives relating to 'energy transition, renewal of the over-obsolete circulating car fleet and support for the less affluent' had been espoused, but there were no signs of an increase in production volumes. 'On the contrary, unfortunately,' he reflected with a hint of controversy, 'Stellantis exactly one month ago announced the stop of the bodyworks at Mirafiori from 15 July until 25 August, with recourse to a new redundancy fund (until 4 August), just as five days of redundancy fund between August and September were also announced at Pomigliano due to a shortage of orders.

Launched at the beginning of June, the eco-bonus campaign is currently drawing 65%. With various differences. The 205.5 million for full electric models (25,295 bookings) were sold out in just a few days, while we are at 59% for cars 61-135 g/km CO2 and 29% for those in the 21-60 range. In total, 83% of bookings were for scrapping (42% for models up to Euro 3). 77% were booked by natural persons, a percentage that drops to 64% for electrics. Overall, more than 20% of the funds were booked by people on low incomes, i.e. with Isee under 30,000 euro.

From 2025 (see Wednesday's Il Sole 24 Ore), however, the ministry's idea is to change the scheme. With a measure that will have a three-year duration - 2025-2027 - drawing on the already existing endowment of the Automotive Fund, to be distributed, however, also with interventions for the supply chain. Available - to support supply and demand - are 750 million for 2025 (250 million for development contracts must be subtracted from the initial billion) plus 1 billion for each of the years 2026 and 2027. At the study - Mimit technicians explained during the round table with representatives of the sector - there is a mechanism that privileges productions with a high content of European components (from 45% upwards), introducing a series of new parameters, along the lines of the French model, "such as the ecological footprint, cybersecurity, and respect for the fundamental rights of the workforce".

It can all be interpreted as an indirect barrier to electric cars imported from China, just as the Commission's proposal for additional duties is being discussed in Europe. And all while negotiations are underway with the Chinese manufacturers themselves for a possible production plant in Italy, with a high quota of Italian components that would also allow them to access the new incentives. Urso explained that in addition to the one with Dongfeng, Non-disclosure agreements/MoUs for advanced negotiations have also been signed with Byd and Aiways.