Stellantis weighs second Mirafiori model, conditional on Italian energy and logistics aid

Belloni opens the door to a second Mirafiori model

On the opening day of the Paris Motor Show on 12 October, Arnaud Belloni, the newly appointed chief executive of the Fiat, Abarth and Lancia brands, said Stellantis is working on a second model for the Mirafiori plant in Turin alongside the Fiat 500. He described 'a very small car, extremely competitive, in the same philosophy as the 2CV, but not retro, much more modern'. Belloni added that it would arrive 'sooner than you imagine' and said he spends time in Turin every week working closely with design and product development staff. La Repubblica reported that the model could arrive within Stellantis's 2030 plan, though no precise timing or format has been set. Belloni also said the brand wants to build cars in Italy, and in Turin especially, and that he would push to bring the Multipla name back into the Fiat range after the Multiplay concept shown on the eve of the show.

Filosa makes more Italian output conditional on energy and logistics

Antonio Filosa, chief executive of Stellantis, urged caution on the second model and told the Italian press that higher production first requires more competitive plants. He pointed to institutional help as the key condition.

We like Mirafiori a lot and we are doing everything we can, but to do more we need the institutions to help us create the conditions to be competitive, starting with a competitive energy cost and more efficient logistics.

Filosa said Italian volumes had risen 30% and that Mirafiori had doubled its production, with the aim of doubling 2025 levels by the end of the year, while stating that the problems were not yet solved. He said energy costs in Italy are more than double those in Spain and that Italy loses to France and, by a wide margin, to Spain on energy prices. He described the government as receptive but said it must move faster to deliver benefits comparable to those of European rivals.

Cassino, Modena and the Maserati plan

Filosa acknowledged that the Modena and Cassino plants are working below their potential because they lack new models. He confirmed that the Maserati strategic plan will be presented in December, and said the future of Cassino will largely depend on it.

We cannot afford to make mistakes anymore, we have no other opportunities.

He said he hoped to convince people in Modena in December, without disclosing the content of the plan. Filosa also recalled the Piano Italia presented in December 2024, which he said is being implemented, citing an extra 1 billion euros of investment for Atessa and a new Alfa Romeo coming to Melfi. La Repubblica reported that Cassino output in the first nine months of the year fell below 9,000 units and that Mirafiori's Fiat 500, including its hybrid version, has missed expectations, with workers there facing temporary layoffs linked to market conditions and engine supply problems at Teksid. Emanuele Cappellano, Stellantis's Europe head, said Mirafiori is more than an assembly line, covering circular economy work, battery testing and electrified eDCT transmissions. Unions in Turin and Piedmont governor Alberto Cirio welcomed the news.

China's share of the Paris show and European rules

Corriere della Sera reported that Chinese brands make up half of the exhibitors at the Paris show, up from 23% in 2024 according to Allianz Trade. Chinese car sales fell 21% from January to September, a drop of more than 3.4 million units compared with the first nine months of 2025. Volkswagen deliveries in China fell 30% so far this year, and the group is pursuing an 'In China, for China' strategy with 30 locally developed models. Chinese brands' share of the European market has reached 10% and is rising quickly. In early October the European Commission reached an agreement with Beijing capping exports of Chinese-made hybrid vehicles to the EU at 350,000 a year. Filosa called this the first step toward a Made in Europe regulation and asked Brussels for more flexibility on emissions limits, a position Volkswagen chief Oliver Blume also supports.

E-cars at Pomigliano and the Leapmotor link

Stellantis is targeting small electric cars priced around 15,000 euros, and Pomigliano d'Arco has been designated as the Italian plant for them. One account gives three vehicles launching from 2028, while another says at least two. Ned Curic, Stellantis's technology chief, said the group already has a strategic collaboration with Leapmotor and would pursue new systems with Dongfeng if an opportunity arises. The e-cars would use the electric platform being developed with Leapmotor, and Stellantis confirmed the Pomigliano production plans.