ROME (Reuters) - Italian Industry Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti on Saturday welcomed the end of talks over the sale of truckmaker Iveco to Chinese firm FAW.
Iveco is part of CNH Industrial (NYSE:CNHI), which in turn is controlled by Exor (OTC:EXXRF), the holding company of Italy's Agnelli family.
CNH said earlier on Saturday it had terminated discussions with FAW over the Iveco sale but was continuing to pursue a spinoff of the group in early 2022.
"The Italian government considers heavy trucks to be a strategic national interest," said Giorgetti, whose rightist League party has always opposed the sale of Iveco to the Chinese.
He said in a statement that the government was ready to hold talks with CNH to keep production in Italy.