The production of fiat 500 in its electric version and the models Maserati will be suspended again December 2 to 17 in the plant Mirafiorinearly Turindue to falling sales, the automaker announced Stellar.
This decision is due to the “persistent uncertainty over sales of electric vehicles in several European markets” and of luxury cars, especially in China y USAStellantis noted. Italia in a statement.
After this suspension, the plant will close December 18 to January 5 as part of the end-of-year festivities, under an internal agreement.
Electric vehicles represent 97% of Mirafiori production, where the models are also manufactured Maserati GranTurismo y Maserati GranCabrio.
The suspension of production of the small electric car currently affects only the body shops and their 1,800 employees, but not the rest of the Mirafiori complex, which has five factories and administrative offices, totaling 13,000 workers. stellantis explained.
Sales of electric urban cars in Europa They fell 54% in the first 10 months of the year, according to the same source.
Furthermore, electric vehicles represent only 4% of the sector’s sales in Italy. “This is not enough to maintain production continuity,” the company argued.
The declaration of this new suspension of Fiat 500 occurs in a context of controversy with the government of Giorgia Meloniwhich accuses Stellantis of relocating its production to low-cost countries, to the detriment of Italian factories.
Mirafiori workers faced several episodes of work suspension this year due to decreased demand.
However, Stellantis is committed to “guaranteeing the continuity of all its plants and activities” in Italy during “this crucial phase of transition towards the adoption of new technological platforms.”
The car manufacturer Stellantis announced a few weeks ago changes such as the retirement of its CEO Carlos Tavareswho is retiring.
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Interview: The Future of Fiat 500 Electric Production and the Automotive Industry Amidst Market Challenges
Editor: Today, we have with us dr. Elena Ferri,an expert in automotive market trends and technologies. Dr.Ferri, thank you for joining us to discuss Stellantis’ recent declaration regarding the suspension of Fiat 500 electric production at the Mirafiori plant. Can you explain the reasons behind this decision?
Dr. Ferri: Thank you for having me. The suspension of Fiat 500 production, along with the Maserati models, reflects ongoing challenges in the automotive sector, notably for electric vehicles (EVs). Stellantis has cited “persistent uncertainty over sales of electric vehicles in several European markets” and declining demand for luxury cars, especially in key regions like China and the USA.
Editor: That’s insightful. The article mentions that electric urban car sales in Europe fell by 54% in the first ten months of the year. What do you think are driving factors for this significant decline?
Dr. Ferri: There are several factors at play here. First, there’s intense competition in the EV market, which has led to price wars and increased consumer hesitance. Additionally, macroeconomic factors such as inflation and rising interest rates have affected consumer purchasing power. In Italy, electric vehicles currently represent only about 4% of total sales, which clearly isn’t enough to support production continuity at Mirafiori or other plants.
editor: With Fiat 500 representing a significant portion of Mirafiori’s output,how do you see this impact on employees,particularly the body shop workers?
Dr. Ferri: The suspension primarily affects 1,800 employees in the body shops, but fortunately, the rest of the Mirafiori complex remains operational.However, given that workers have faced multiple suspensions throughout the year due to decreased demand, there’s certainly a growing sense of instability.It’s critical for Stellantis to balance these operational adjustments with employee welfare to maintain morale and productivity.
Editor: The current situation has also triggered controversy with the Italian government, especially against the backdrop of accusations regarding production relocation. How does this influence the strategic direction of companies like Stellantis?
Dr.Ferri: Stellantis is under significant scrutiny from the Italian government, which is understandably concerned about the preservation of local jobs. This dynamic creates pressure for transparency and stronger commitments to local production. As Stellantis transitions toward new technology platforms and potentially restructures under new leadership following Carlos Tavares’ retirement, they must demonstrate a genuine commitment to Italian factories while managing global supply chain efficiencies.
Editor: You mentioned the transition towards new technological platforms. What advice would you give to industry stakeholders as the market navigates this critical phase of EV adoption?
Dr.Ferri: Stakeholders should focus on several key areas: first, investing in R&D to innovate and address consumer concerns about EV range and battery longevity. Second, fostering partnerships with governments to facilitate infrastructure development, such as more extensive charging networks. communication is vital—automakers need to transparently convey their plans for production continuity and worker roles in this transition to align with public and governmental expectations.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Ferri, for your expert insights. This is a crucial time for the automotive industry, especially as it faces challenges in EV market adoption and production decisions.Your analysis provides clarity not only to industry stakeholders but also to potential consumers.
Dr. Ferri: Thank you for having me.It’s a pleasure to share insights on such an evolving topic. The future of electric vehicles will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the automotive landscape in the coming years.