Italy eyes Chinese investments to revive defunct Stellantis brands

Italy is considering a bold move to rejuvenate two defunct auto brands by inviting Chinese automakers to set up production facilities in the country. The proposal, as reported by Il Sole 24 Ore, aims to offer the Innocenti and Autobianchi brands owned by Stellantis, both discontinued in the 1990s, to foreign companies willing to invest in Italy.

Innocenti, renowned in the 1960s and 1970s for its Italian version of the British Mini, and Autobianchi, famous for its upmarket city cars like the A112 and Y10, may soon see a revival. According to the report, Italy’s Industry Minister has already registered these brands with new graphics, different from those previously registered by Stellantis, the automotive giant that owns them.

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The potential takeover of these brands is enabled by a law passed last December, allowing the government to appropriate trademarks unused for at least five years. The goal is to attract companies that “intend to invest in Italy or relocate manufacturing activities to Italy,” the law states.

This initiative comes as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government has been critical of Stellantis for allegedly neglecting its historical production sites in Italy. The government has been negotiating with Stellantis to increase its production to one million vehicles per year while also seeking to lure a Chinese automaker to Italy.

On Thursday, Fiat celebrated its 125th anniversary by unveiling the new Panda model at its historic Turin headquarters. Industry Minister Adolfo Urso, present at the event, reiterated his call for Stellantis to boost its manufacturing efforts in Italy.

Stellantis has acknowledged the media reports but stated it has not been officially informed by the government about these plans. The industry ministry was not available for comment.

This strategy reflects Italy’s broader effort to revitalize its automotive industry and strengthen its economic ties with China. It remains to be seen how these developments will unfold, but the move signals a significant shift in Italy’s industrial policy.