Italy plan responds to requests says Urso of Stellantis

(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 17 - The investment plan in Italy which Stellatis is about to present "responds to our requests", Business and Made in Italy Adolgo Urso was quoted as saying by well-informed sources during a meeting with representatives of the carmaker on Tuesday.
    "Receiving the indications that have emerged over the past few months during meetings and in Parliament", Urso was quoted as saying that a sustainable and "clear industrial plan had been requested, placing Italy at the centre of Stellantis's development policy and committing the company to take the social responsibility of governing, with all of us, the technological and industrial transition, which is the real challenge for our Europe".
    Urso on Tuesday was hosting a meeting with representatives of the carmaker, suppliers and trade unions to reach a deal aimed at reviving the Italian automotive sector.
    The minister announced that Italy would spend "over one billion euros in 2025 to support companies in the ongoing transition through industrial policy tools".
    The head of the carmaker's European operations Jean-Philippe Imparato said Stellantis had a plan to produce models at each plant in Italy until 2032 and confirmed that the carmaker will invest two billion euros in 2025 for plants and six billion euros in the same period in purchases from suppliers operating in Italy.
    Imparato also said the carmaker will be producing two compact models at its plant of Pomigliano in southern Italy, introducing the new 'STLA Small' platform, starting in 2028.
    The production of the Panda car at the plant in Campania will be extended until 2030 and will be followed by the introduction of the new generation of the same model, Imparato added.
    Earlier this month, Carlos Tavares, 66, had resigned suddenly, deepening concerns about efforts to turn around the world's fourth-largest automaker following the group's drop in profits.
    (ANSA).