Defunct Stellantis brands could be forcibly taken over by the Italian government and sold to Chinese companies to persuade them to set up factories in the country.
The plans being worked up by Italy's industry ministry involve Autobianchi, best known as an upmarket city car maker, and Innocenti, made famous for building an Italian version of the Mini in the 1960s and 1970s. Both Fiat-owned brands shut down in the 1990s.
A report from Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore claims the ministry has registered new versions of the two brands, which include fresh graphics that differ from the originals.
This unconventional move is able to get the green light because of new laws passed by prime minister Giorgia Meloni's nationalist government last year concerning brands that have been dormant for at least five years.
The law states that the government can give such brands to "companies, including foreign ones, that intend to invest in Italy or move to Italy manufacturing activities located abroad”. The Court of Auditors would still need to confirm any move.
Stellantis, which took over the Fiat brand in 2021, has not been informed by the Italian government about any such plans, Reuters reports.
It follows months of debate between the Italian government and Stellantis, which is the country's sole major car maker, with Meloni accusing it of neglecting historic production bases as the country battles with an automotive industry crisis. Earlier this year, the brand cut 3500 jobs across three of its major Italian plants. As such, the government wants to attract Chinese car makers to Italy.
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