He noted that Italy would be the only country in Europe that would produce cars on both the Stellantis SLTA Medium and Large platforms, adding that “of the five cars in my strategy, four are made in Italy”.
Imparato suggested that European politicians should be more focused on the growing threat of Chinese car makers that are expanding their production into Europe – which he said represents the “core” risk to Stellantis and the European car industry in the future.
“When you see MG launching a car priced at €16,000 in Spain, I’m sure they are losing tonnes of cash, but they are full of cash,” he said.
“You see Tesla cutting €10,000 or more and dropping European margins from 18% to 7% or 8% and you see some of our German competitors in China working at -40% in terms of discount to save their asses. When you see that, you have to be firm on the total production cost of each car.
“There are two categories of guys: the ones who understand they have to move, and the ones who don’t understand they have to move. Each and every week, you’re hearing from some guys, very big ones, saying ‘we have to give up’, and this is just the beginning of the bloodbath. But some guys don’t see that. They open the door and say ‘hey, welcome’. Good luck, my friend, because don’t think they will come alone: they will come with their suppliers.”
