Carlos Tavares took advantage of the launch of the new Alfa Romeo model to make some uncompromising statements. Between denunciation of fake news and well-felt attacks on the Italian government, the boss of Stellantis did not mince his words.
The presence of the boss of Stellantis at the launch of the Alfa Romeo Milano on April 10, 2024 was surprising. Carlos Tavares is very rarely present at this type of event for the group’s brands. We had to wait until the end of the conference to understand the reason. Carlos Tavares took advantage of a trip to Italy, for the inauguration of a group factory, to convey a few messages to journalists, but also to the Italian government.
Tired of rumors of a supposed disengagement of the group in Italy, Carlos Tavares decided to clarify certain information concerning Stellantis and especially certain of its Italian brands.
Unfair and false criticism according to Carlos Tavares
Relations between the Italian government and the Franco-Italian-American group have become strained in recent months. This even gave rise to an improbable rumor of a Renault/Stellantis merger. Italian politicians accuse Stellantis of wanting to kill the country’s automobile production, for the benefit of other countries like France. To which Carlos Tavares responded yesterday: “ My position is very clear, this is fake news. »
As proof to the contrary, Carlos Tavares was present in Italy on April 10 to inaugurate a new group factory, which contradicts the idea that the group no longer invests in Italy. The boss of Stellantis even specifies that “ people in the group received particularly unfair criticism » on this subject, which does not fail to annoy him.
Choices misunderstood by the Italian government?
Carlos Tavares even implies that the Italian government is unable to follow the group’s developments: “ Things are being done, but not in the conventional way. So some people can’t understand it, or maybe they can’t understand it. »
Although there are certainly fewer cars leaving Italian production lines, the group has invested “ massively » in different activities: circular economy in Turin (to extend the lifespan of vehicles), ACC battery gigafactory, but also manufacturing of other parts. The group also confirms that around fifteen new models will bring Italy to life. There is therefore no question of withdrawing from it.
Believing that Stellantis would slow down automobile production in Italy, the Italian government began meeting with different foreign automobile manufacturers to invite them to invest in the country. Tesla has been hit on for a while now, but Chinese manufacturers have also been hit on recently. This does not fail to make Carlos Tavares react quite strongly: “ Those who flirt with Chinese manufacturers to invite them to set up in Italy are on the same path as those who sold Volvo to Geely or MG to another Chinese group. »In the mouth of the boss of Stellantis, this sounds like a total betrayal. However, it was he who signed, a few months earlier, an agreement with the Chinese manufacturer Leapmotor to assemble Chinese cars in Europe.
Dismantling of Fiat? Resale of Alfa Romeo?
“ We feel at home in Italy », Launched Carlos Tavares in front of an audience, mainly Italian, delighted to hear him. The business manager wanted to be particularly reassuring and transparent. The group did receive an offer to sell the Alfa Romeo brand during the creation of Stellantis, but Carlos Tavares responded: “ You are laughing at me ? Alfa is one of our jewels », refusing the offer. He strongly believes in the return to favor of the Italian brand with the latest products released, such as the brand new Alfa Romeo Milano: “ It’s a new chapter of a brand that I’m not going to sell. »
The brands of the former Fiat group are not going to disappear, Carlos Tavares maintains this position: he is certainly not going to sell them to a Chinese manufacturer. “ It’s not going to happen with Stellantis, it’s not going to happen with Alfa Romeo », he concluded his committed speech of the day.
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