MILAN (Reuters) – Stellantis Chairman John Elkann met with Italy’s president and economy minister in Rome on Tuesday, a Stellantis spokesperson said, amid heightened tensions between the company and the government.
Rome has in recent weeks accused owners of Fiat and Peugeot of sometimes acting against Italy’s national interests, with the group’s chief executive Carlos Tavares demanding government support for car purchase incentives. He criticizes his cautious stance.
Tuesday’s meeting was part of a regular meeting that Mr. Elkann holds in Rome about every six months, a spokesman said.
In addition to talks with Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti and Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Mr. Elkann also met with Bank of Italy Governor Fabio Panetta.
According to a spokesperson, Elkann spoke about Stellantis’ activities in Italy and confirmed the company’s current industrial projects and continued consultation with the government, trade unions and suppliers about expanding car production in Italy. did.
Stellantis is Italy’s only major automaker, created in 2021 through the merger of France’s PSA and Fiat Chrysler. It has a portfolio of 14 brands including Citroen, Jeep, Opel and Alfa Romeo. Chairman Elkann is from the Agnelli family, the founding family of Fiat.
Netherlands-based Exor, the Agnelli family’s investment company, is Stellantis’s largest single shareholder.
(Reporting by Giulio Piovaccari; Editing by Alvise Armellini and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)