Despite Overcapacity, Fiat Jobs Are Secured In Italy

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

Fiat’s top men promised that they will not cut jobs in Italy, despite Italian sales levels at 40 year lows. Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne and Chairman John Elkann met Italy’s newly-appointed minister Flavio Zanonato, and delivered “assurances that Fiat intends to maintain employment,” Reuters says.

According to the wire, Fiat and Zanonato pledged to work together to relaunch Italy’s recession-hit car market, and stressed the importance of the group’s Italian manufacturing base as part of its brand image.

Italian car sales fell nearly 20 percent last year and are seen falling 5 percent more this year to about 1.3 million vehicles. Fiat wants to build Jeeps and a new line of Alfa Romeos in Italy, for export to markets in Asia, Latin America and the U.S.

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

More by Bertel Schmitt

Comments
Join the conversation
 4 comments
  • Danio3834 Danio3834 on May 31, 2013

    So for the time being they're going to keep building cars and then what? Push them into the Adreatic?

  • SCE to AUX SCE to AUX on May 31, 2013

    The UAW would do well to have more colorful banners.

  • Lowsodium Lowsodium on May 31, 2013

    Its okay, Chrysler will support them. Oh my, when is the last time someone said that statement???

  • Lorenzo Lorenzo on May 31, 2013

    Chrysler will continue to support Fiat only if it has a successful replacement for the midsized 200/Avenger and can keep updating the truck line to compete with Ford trucks and GM's new models. A full size Dodge sedan would also be helpful too. Fiat has the problem of trying to finance new Fiat models with the same money needed to keep the American cash cow models fresh.

Next