Electric car transition threatens more than 70,000 jobs in Italy, unions and lobbies say By Reuters

MILAN (Reuters) – The transition to electric vehicles will jeopardize about 73,000 jobs in Italy, metal workers’ unions and a lobby group said on Thursday, urging the government to start talks on measures to support the car industry.

Analysts say the automotive sector in Italy could be hit harder than elsewhere due to the small average size of companies in the country and the amount of investment needed to comply with the EU’s Fit-For-55 climate plan on phasing out internal combustion engines. 2035

“This plan, if not accompanied by (government) intervention, could lead to the loss of approximately 73,000 jobs in Italy, up from 63,000 between 2025 and 2030,” said a group of Federmeccanica employers and the FIM, FIOM and UILM unions in a rare joint venture. statement.

They said vehicle production in Italy fell from more than 1.8 million units in 1997 to 700,000 last year, including less than 500,000 cars.

“We need to get back to producing some 1.5 million units a year,” said FIOM leader Francesca Re David.

The automotive industry in Italy employs 278,000 workers directly and indirectly and accounts for about 6% of the country’s gross domestic product, according to the ANFIA.

Earlier this week, Industry Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said he would present proposals in the coming weeks for incentives to support the Italian car industry.

The unions are also urging the government to conclude a final agreement with Stellantis, the country’s largest carmaker, to build a factory to produce batteries to supply electrified vehicles in Italy.

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said last year that the group would build one of its European battery factories in Termoli, central Italy, but a contract with Rome has not yet been signed.