Stellantis, the big car company in Italy, might have to make some hard choices because of Chinese car factories opening there. The head of Stellantis, Carlos Tavares, said this could mean closing some of their factories.
The Italian government is talking with Tesla and Chinese car companies like Chery Auto. They want one of them to start making cars in Italy. This could help Italy’s car industry, which has been going down for a while.
Carlos Tavares talked about this at an event in Turin. He said, “If someone wants to bring in Chinese competition, they would be responsible for the unpopular decisions that might have to be taken.”
He also said, “If we are under pressure, the only thing we could do is to work harder to be competitive.”
Tavares thinks Stellantis might lose some of its customers and not sell as many cars.
He said, “Then we might not need so many factories as we have now. We’re ready to fight, but in a fight, some people might lose their jobs.”
Tavares said the news that Stellantis might leave Italy is not true. He said, “We’re investing a lot of money in Italy.”
Stellantis will keep making their popular car, the Fiat Panda, until 2030. They make it in a place near Naples called Pomigliano d’Arco.
The Panda was supposed to stop being made in 2027, but now they’re keeping it going. They are also making an electric version of the Panda, which will come out later this year.
Tavares talked about this at an event in Turin. They showed off a new place where they will make parts for electric and hybrid cars.
