«Few weeks», «A few more weeks». Carlos Tavares, managing director of Stellantis, confirms that the agreement for the gigafactory in Termoli, in the province of Campobasso, is in the pipeline. The manager of the fourth world automotive group born from the merger of FCA with PSA, confirms that the government has put 370 million euros on the plate. The total investment, in which TotalEnergies and Daimler participate, should be around 2.5 billion,
Meeting the Italian press a few hours before the presentation of the group’s strategic plan at the Taets Art & Event Park in Zaandam, a Dutch town of windmills fifteen kilometers from Amsterdam, Tavares explains the difficulties that have so far slowed the signing of the agreement. “We live in a complex world. We are working with the Italian government: the support that will come from the Rome executive is similar to that granted by the governments of France and Germany, for the construction of the other two Stellantis Gigafactories in Europe ».
The Gigafactory in Termoli will be built by Acc, which sees Stellantis, TotalEnergies and Daimler as partners. “Acc – says the Portuguese manager – must have the approval of all three shareholders and we are aligning the agendas to get the green light from Daimler”.
The Termoli plant, third in Europe (two others are in America), is one of the cornerstones of Stellantis’ strategy which – through agreements with giants such as Amazon, Foxconn, Samsung, Lg, Vulcan and Factorial Energy – aims to develop autonomous way microchip and software. The strategic plan will indicate global and regional objectives, will talk about products, services and work organization. More than 30 billion investments are planned for the electrification of the group’s brands by 2025.
Tavares intervenes on the request, raised in Italy by the trade unions and some political forces, on the advisability of entering the Stellantis shareholding structure of the Italian state, to balance the presence of the French state. “I do not see the need for the Italian state to join the Stellantis shareholding – he cuts short – Why should he use the Italian taxes to join Stellantis?” We can protect Italy without having the government in the shareholding. Italy is one of the pillars of the group, we are investing to relaunch Alfa Romeo, Lancia and electrify Fiat ».
On the incentives for less polluting cars, according to the manager, the decision should not be taken at national level, but with an agreed and coordinated intervention at European level. “The problem – he explains – is how Europe wants to support its car industry”. Tavares adds that to maintain its strength, Stellantis must retain a share of between 20 and 22% of the European market.
Speaking on current events, Tavares talks about the consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. «The effects of the sanctions on Russia for Stellantis are marginal – he says – The CFO told me that they are insignificant. We immediately set up a task force to evaluate the sanctions and to be sure of respecting them ».
Last entry. Peugeot, says the CEO of Stellantis, will no longer sponsor Novak Djokovic. The decision after the controversy over the lies told by the tennis player about his vaccination at Covid and the exclusion from the Australian Open.