Stellantis: Mirafiori and Pomigliano are reopening; 300,000 cars in Italia is the estimate for 2026

The reopening of the Mirafiori and Pomigliano plants comes at a time when the Italian – and European – car market is still in the process of recovering sales volumes, albeit with Chinese manufacturers playing an increasingly significant role, with production in Italia beginning to recover following two disastrous years – 2024 and 2025 – and aiming to reach 300,000 cars in 2026. Pomigliano is reopening its doors backed by a solidarity agreement covering all 3,750 employees. This is a defensive measure because sales of the Pandina – which remains the best-selling model in Italia – are falling slightly and because production of the Alfa Romeo Tonale is being scaled back, not least given that the model is set to be replaced by the new C-segment SUV from Alfa Romeo, production of which has been assigned to the Melfi plant. At the Mirafiori bodyworks, there is no short-time working scheme; however, on the assembly line, staff are grappling with a target of 100,000 cars – set following the launch of the Fiat 500 hybrid – which does not appear achievable. The lower-than-expected volumes have been managed through longer periods of closure. And whilst the need for a second model at Mirafiori appears to have become a pressing issue – as demonstrated by the comments made by Adolfo Urso, Minister for Enterprise and Made in Italy, following the automotive roundtable in July – the real challenge, as the trade unions point out, is to invest in the production site to double production capacity, which currently remains at 100,000 units per year. ‘To achieve a respectable production volume for the 500,’ notes Igor Albera of Fim, ‘we will need to run the two shifts at 100 per cent capacity until next December, market conditions permitting. We hope that the Turin Motor Show in September will serve as a showcase for ‘Made in Turin’ products.”

Pomigliano already has two production lines, with a clear industrial mission linked to the development in Italia of three electric car models, as announced in recent weeks by CEO Antonio Filosa and EMEA Head Emanuele Cappellano. During a meeting with the trade unions in early August to renew the solidarity agreements, the company confirmed the programme and announced that, with the resumption of operations, work would begin in the area dedicated to the future cars based on the new e-car platform – “the first operational step towards the implementation of the new industrial programme” for the Giambattista Vico plant. ‘With regard to future production allocations at Pomigliano,’ reflects Ciro D’Alessio of Fiom, ‘we need to clarify an important point: who will develop the new Pandina, and where, after 2028–2030. If the Group were to confirm that Pomigliano will continue to manage the new generation of this iconic model, it would be crucial for securing the future of the Campania site.”

There are at least two key issues for the Group led by Antonio Filosa regarding its strategies in Italia: attempting to secure the future of the Cassino plant through a partnership with a Chinese manufacturer – be it Dongfeng or Leapmotor – and finalising the revitalisation plan for Alfa Romeo and Maserati, at a time when launching substantial new investments presents European manufacturers with more than one dilemma. As for the other plants, Melfi resumed operations last week but is having to contend with production stoppages and intermittent production lines due to a shortage of components. “We are in a delicate phase of ramping up production of the new models, the DS7 and the Lancia Gamma, during which critical issues may arise in the component supply chain. It is important that these difficulties are addressed and overcome swiftly, because any further suspensions would inevitably have consequences for production and workers,” emphasises Gerardo Evangelista, general secretary of Fim Cisl Basilicata. The trade unions insist that the relaunch of the new models must gradually lead to production continuity, increased output and greater job security. There is also a need to review the overall organisation of the Melfi production system and to strengthen not only the plant’s internal organisation but also the supply chain.