Elkann: 'European e-cars and smart rules not to stifle the industry'

For John Elkann, the future of the European automotive industry is to be played out on two fronts: on the one hand, electrification without impositions, with concrete investments and a long-term vision; on the other, the urgent need for a smarter regulatory framework that does not stifle the industry, but helps it to thrive. Speaking at the Automotive News Europe Congress in Turin, in the setting of the National Automobile Museum in Italy, the president of Stellantis outlined a clear position: 'We have 14 new electric car launches planned. Our commitment to electrification is very strong. But it has to be a transition that responds to people's desires and needs'.

According to Elkann, freedom of choice remains a cardinal principle. Combustion, hybrid or electric, according to the president of Stellantis the goal is to offer cars that customers really want, and to take real decarbonisation into account. 'For example, helping to replace an old Euro 3 with a Euro 6 can have more environmental impact than going from Euro 6 to electric'.

What worries John Elkann is the increasing burden of Brussels-produced regulations: 'Between now and 2030, 120 new regulations are expected. More than 25 per cent of our engineers only work on compliance. It does not create added value, but contributes to rising costs'. The comparison with the past is alarming: 'The first generation Fiat 500 weighed around 400 kilos, the ones we produce now are three times heavier. Obviously adjusting the weight of cars is not a good thing for the environment. That is why we need intelligent rules'.

Smart rules. To propose more affordable models. The example evoked is that of the Japanese K-cars, small and efficient, which account for 40 per cent of the Rising Sun market. The president of Stellantis emphasised that 'it is important that the EU and the major car manufacturing countries, such as Italy, Germany, France and Spain, are really aware of how they can use regulation in a smart way. And how they could create a new category of cars, the E-Car, which would also be good for the environment'. Elkann cites the Pandina, the best-selling Fiat in Italy, as a symbol of accessibility and success. 'We would like the next generation to be just as exciting and affordable'.

On the industrial side, Stellantis continues to invest decisively, including in the gigafactory for batteries. And fundamental, in this transition phase, is also leadership. Elkann has no doubts about the choice of new CEO Antonio Filosa: 'He has great empathy, he understands people. And Stellantis is made up of people. Filosa understands and knows very well the whole process concerning cars, from production to sales. We want to build great cars that people like and having a ceo who knows how to do this is very important,' Elkann says, finally explaining that 'his experience in Brazil and Argentina is important and something we needed.