ROME, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Vehicle corporation Stellantis' new plan to revamp manufacturing in Italy will bring about a production boost and new car models starting next year, according to Italian authorities and the company.
After a meeting with trade unions, suppliers and government officials on Tuesday, the group announced it would keep all its plants in the country open, and gradually boost output in the next three years.
The company said it would pour 2 billion euros (2.1 billion U.S. dollars) into its factories across the country in 2025 alone, as part of the plan, and further 6 billion euros would be allocated to new purchases to Italian suppliers.
Production of new models will start in 2025 in the factories of Cassino and Melfi, and gradually expand to the other sites up to 2028. Much effort will be put on new hybrid and electric vehicles, according to the company.
The Italian government pledged an overall 1.6-billion-euro investment, of which 1.1 billion in 2025, to sustain the entire automotive supply chain, state-run Rai News 24 reported.
In a statement, Stellantis said that despite the difficulties for the global automotive sector, it aims to pursue its industrial plan in Italy "with its own resources, without any form of public incentive for production."
Italian authorities welcomed the announcement of the new plan, and the company's pledge to strengthen its presence in the country, maintain current employment level, and protect local supply chain. (1 euro = 1.05 U.S. dollar)
