FCA, announcement of Ad Manley: "In Mirafiori, you will do the electric 500"

The 500 returns to Mirafiori but with the propulsion of the future, or electric. And "let's see the light on the road in the first quarter of 2020". For Turin, this is good news, which comes with the 5 billion investments allocated by Fiat Chrysler from the next weeks to the implementation of the 2018-2022 business plan presented to Balocco in June (8 billion for the Emea region, including 5 for Italy). The resources will result in 13 new models and a new focus on electric and hybrid engines. The FCA informed the unions that the planned interventions in the Italian factories would guarantee "a solid and productive mission to all Italian sites and will achieve the goal of full employment". FCA has also postponed the expected diesel output in 2021 but announced that Pratola Serra would be produced an evolution of current diesel models.

"First installation of the electric car platform"

"Mirafiori will be the first installation of the complete battery electric vehicle (Bev) platform, which will be applied to the new Fiat 500 and will be used for other models in the world," explained Manley. Other investments in Jeep, Alfa Romeo and Fiat will benefit from the use of existing production capabilities, economies of scale and efficiency gains resulting from the use of a common architecture and the same plug-in hybrid system ( PHEV). "

Pietro Gorlier: "With 4 models, we leave tomorrow"

"Investments for the Jeep Compbad in Melfi, for the electric 500 in Mirafiori, for Alfa Alfa in Pomigliano and for the increased production capacity of Sevel have already been launched. We leave tomorrow morning. "That's what FCA Group's head of European operations, Pietro Gorlier, said." We're going to leave in the next few months – he added – with a staff training plan focused on hybrid and electric technologies. I am convinced that with all our workers we will be able to achieve the goals we have set for ourselves. "

Production details

Gorlier provided details on the production: the electric 500 will be at Mirafiori and the European version of the Jeep Compbad at Melfi on the same platform used for the Jeep Renegade. Taking advantage of the same platform and the same Phev technology, preparatory activities for the production of a new Alfa Romeo compact all-terrain vehicle in Pomigliano will also be started. The new Fiat Panda mhv (Light Hybrid Vehicle) will also be produced. "In three years – adds Gorlier – a new car will enter Cbadino, an average hybrid SUV from the Maserati brand". The Compbad will also be transferred to the group's Lazio plant and restyling on Giulia and Stelvio with hybrid technologies will arrive. Giulietta's production will continue.

Trade unions satisfied

The satisfaction came out of the unions. "The company has badured us that the electric 500 and the restyling of the Maserati will saturate the occupation at Mirafiori," said Ferdinando Uliano, national secretary of the FIM. The general secretary of the Uilm, Rocco Palombella, has also been shown optimistic: "The FCA plan allows to saturate all the Italian factories thanks to 5 billion euros of investments and to new production allocations in each plant ". "It's a brave development plan in a challenging environment where, for example, the US auto industry is starting to drastically reduce its workforce," he added. Roberto Di Maulo, Secretary General of Fismic, puts the emphasis on the dual attitude of the automotive sector: "GM closes factories and firing 15,000 workers, the other FCA puts 5 billion in Italian factories offering prospects and worker safety ".