Italy Threatens Stellantis Over Delayed Investments and Marketing Practices

Italy's Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, has issued a stern warning to car manufacturer Stellantis, threatening to withhold recovery funds unless the company addresses concerns regarding delayed projects and investments. Speaking at the Meeting for Friendship Among Peoples in Rimini, Urso emphasized that while the government has fulfilled its commitments, Stellantis has not met its target of producing one million cars in Italy. He stressed the urgency of the situation, stating, “We cannot afford losing these resources because Stellantis fails to meet its commitments.” The tensions between the Italian government and Stellantis extend beyond investment issues. Rome has recently confronted the company over its marketing practices, accusing it of misleading consumers by promoting vehicles as distinctly Italian when they were manufactured abroad. In a notable case, the government intervened to prevent Stellantis from naming a new Alfa Romeo model produced in Poland “Milano,” arguing that it would mislead consumers about the vehicle's origin. Additionally, in June, an Italian judge ruled against Stellantis after the government seized hundreds of vehicles, stating that the electric Fiat Topolino, made in Morocco, misled consumers by displaying Italian flag stickers and using names that suggested an Italian origin. This scrutiny is particularly significant as Stellantis is the last major car manufacturer operating in Italy, overseeing iconic brands such as Fiat, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati.