Prominent Italians Are Criticizing Stellantis' Direction

In recent days, Stellantis has faced significant criticism from prominent Italian figures regarding the direction it is taking with iconic Italian marques, especially Fiat. Key issues include plant closures, a shrinking workforce, declining sales, and a perceived shift in focus towards France. Notable individuals such as businessman Flavio Briatore, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Carlo Calenda, … (read full article...)

 

[patfromigh]

The great thing about the the family tree of those owning Fiat is there is a direct line from the founder, Giovanni Agnelli. From Britannica dot com...

In 1921 workers seized the Fiat plants and hoisted the red flag of communism over them. Agnelli responded by quitting the company, retiring to private life, and letting the workers try to run Fiat. In short order, 3,000 of them paraded to his office and asked him to return to the helm—a request to which he acquiesced. A supporter of Benito Mussolini, he was named to the Senate by the Fascist dictator in 1923. Agnelli also established the ball- and roller-bearing industry in Italy (1907), and he was a chief mobilizer of the Italian war industry before and during World War II. In April 1945, however, the Italian Committee of National Liberation removed him—along with other top executives—from control of Fiat. Control did not return to the Agnelli family until 1966.

John Elkann is one of the Agenelli children's nephew. The nut doesn't fall far from the tree, members of the family are big into the WEF.

 

[T/A392]

I 100% feel for our friends in Italy. Fiat Chrysler was such a great Italian and American auto company. Stellantis has done a great job disrespecting both countries and both countries specific auto brands.

 

[MoparRay]

I think that the Stellantis merger was a bad deal for FCA. Stellantis should spin off Fiat and spin off Chrysler. Chrysler needs to be American run again.

 

[bill burke]

If one traces the annals of history, no people, no culture, no civilization stands higher than Italy and Italians in its contributions and achievements. In so many areas from science to architecture, medicine to music to political philosophy and organization and law, not to mention exotic cars, there are few rivals. Understandable Italians covet their place in history and the uniqueness of their work. A bulwark of Western Civilization and culture. Oh the food, yes the food.
But in today’s world the talented are scorned, the natural genius of some titled as undeserving privilege and the rightful heirs to civilization’s greatness subjugated to dangerous efforts at mediocrity of the masses, diversity and inclusion that destroys the path of progress that does not fit a politically narrative. Fiat is victim of this new world thinking and their indignation is perfectly justified. Bad times energized by bad people with bad things. Bad, bad, bad.

 

[JOJO_123_321]

If one traces the annals of history, no people, no culture, no civilization stands higher than Italy and Italians in its contributions and achievements. In so many areas from science to architecture, medicine to music to political philosophy and organization and law, not to mention exotic cars, there are few rivals. Understandable Italians covet their place in history and the uniqueness of their work. A bulwark of Western Civilization and culture. Oh the food, yes the food.
But in today’s world the talented are scorned, the natural genius of some titled as undeserving privilege and the rightful heirs to civilization’s greatness subjugated to dangerous efforts at mediocrity of the masses, diversity and inclusion that destroys the path of progress that does not fit a politically narrative. Fiat is victim of this new world thinking and their indignation is perfectly justified. Bad times energized by bad people with bad things. Bad, bad, bad.

so you're basically blaming "diversity hiring" for Stellantis shifting production to Poland and Serbia? ... Pretty sure it was more about avoiding unions and costs. There's nothing remotely new about businesses putting shareholders before workers - and you can't try to reframe this reality through the MAGA lens (whether you realize you're doing it or not)

 

[JOJO_123_321]

I guess someone needs to say it. Fiats are only good if you plan to buy it cheap and run it into the ground. And that's their real problem.

To be more specific, the physical quality/durability of the supplier components is inconsistent at best. And unless you plan to drive to genuinely drive a Fiat like a getaway car, they come across as pretty terrible value for most folks. Fiats are not particularly smooth, quiet, solid, or overly-safe by any means. In fact the only virtue of an average Fiat is that some of them (arguably) look good -- and if driven recklessly, then can be great fun.

All that being said, the global car audience has been settling for boring-to-drive cars and more reliable ccars or decades now (generally favoring Japanese brands but also willing to pay more for German brands).

The point is, if Fiat was smart they would have started improving their supplier quality years ago, so they could justify charging MORE for a more globally competitive product. And that, in turn, would also further justify keeping more Fiat production in Italy.

I for one love the IDEA of what Fiat used to be in the 50s, 60s and even some of the later cars. But I'm not remotely surprised by the decisions to move production. And nowadays, with the Chinese companies making inroads on the global auto market, the picture for FIAT is looking less rosy than ever.

 

[TripleT]

I think that the Stellantis merger was a bad deal for FCA. Stellantis should spin off Fiat and spin off Chrysler. Chrysler needs to be American run again.

WHY???? so they can gut it and try to sell it the Chinese? OR have we forgotten how American ownership worked out last time?

 

[kmccabe56]

Chrysler has been getting screwed since Eaton got his $70 golden handshake and sold out to Daimler Benz. DM wanted Chrysler for the same reason everybody else does. Truck and Jeep. The fact that Chrysler was able to use the 5 series running gear and turn it into the 300/Challenger/Charger is a testament to the brains in Auburn Hills. But once DM had rung everything they could out of Chrysler, they dumped it on the four headed dog. They continued to bleed it dry and the US Feds basically gave the remaining bones to Marchionne to see if he could work some sort of miracle. He did, but he also did a lot of damage with BS PR campaign about Fiat and for that matter Alfa Romeo becoming the new "IT" thing. The ELkann/Agnelli clan was happy with the status quo because Sergio was keeping the bank accounts happy. Once there was no Sergio, the bank accounts to started to suffer. Hence their decision to unload the whole steaming pile on Peugeot/Citroen. The new guy is focused on money. Tradition don't pay the bills. He's been reported to give each car division head ten years to sort of their respective brands. With Fiat selling less than 700 cars in the U.S. last year, they're gonna need to find a whole lot more than just the essence of the brand.

 

[AlexB]

The great thing about the the family tree of those owning Fiat is there is a direct line from the founder, Giovanni Agnelli. From Britannica dot com...



John Elkann is one of the Agenelli children's nephew. The nut doesn't fall far from the tree, members of the family are big into the WEF.

Not Nephew, John is the oldest Grandson of the Founder oldest grandson (Gianni Agnelli).

 

[AlexB]

Chrysler has been getting screwed since Eaton got his $70 golden handshake and sold out to Daimler Benz. DM wanted Chrysler for the same reason everybody else does. Truck and Jeep. The fact that Chrysler was able to use the 5 series running gear and turn it into the 300/Challenger/Charger is a testament to the brains in Auburn Hills. But once DM had rung everything they could out of Chrysler, they dumped it on the four headed dog. They continued to bleed it dry and the US Feds basically gave the remaining bones to Marchionne to see if he could work some sort of miracle. He did, but he also did a lot of damage with BS PR campaign about Fiat and for that matter Alfa Romeo becoming the new "IT" thing. The ELkann/Agnelli clan was happy with the status quo because Sergio was keeping the bank accounts happy. Once there was no Sergio, the bank accounts to started to suffer. Hence their decision to unload the whole steaming pile on Peugeot/Citroen. The new guy is focused on money. Tradition don't pay the bills. He's been reported to give each car division head ten years to sort of their respective brands. With Fiat selling less than 700 cars in the U.S. last year, they're gonna need to find a whole lot more than just the essence of the brand.

Chrysler business is the most profitable of the "Michigan 3"...,.. unload is the wrong term with the coming escalation in voting power to 42% together with the Peugeot Family.

 

[gtguy88]

Chrysler has been getting screwed since Eaton got his $70 golden handshake and sold out to Daimler Benz. DM wanted Chrysler for the same reason everybody else does. Truck and Jeep. The fact that Chrysler was able to use the 5 series running gear and turn it into the 300/Challenger/Charger is a testament to the brains in Auburn Hills. But once DM had rung everything they could out of Chrysler, they dumped it on the four headed dog. They continued to bleed it dry and the US Feds basically gave the remaining bones to Marchionne to see if he could work some sort of miracle. He did, but he also did a lot of damage with BS PR campaign about Fiat and for that matter Alfa Romeo becoming the new "IT" thing. The ELkann/Agnelli clan was happy with the status quo because Sergio was keeping the bank accounts happy. Once there was no Sergio, the bank accounts to started to suffer. Hence their decision to unload the whole steaming pile on Peugeot/Citroen. The new guy is focused on money. Tradition don't pay the bills. He's been reported to give each car division head ten years to sort of their respective brands. With Fiat selling less than 700 cars in the U.S. last year, they're gonna need to find a whole lot more than just the essence of the brand.

5 series? You mean E-Class

 

[TripleT]

5 series? You mean E-Class

That entire thread ticks the development team off, the car was well on the way before the hostile takeover, and the facts they robbed the parts bin didn't make it a recycled E series.

 

[JohnRogers]

Politicians almost always complain when plants are closed. Plant closures are the reality of shrinking market share and consolidation.