Italian Industry Minister Adolfo Urso spoke to reporters on Thursday, setting his plans to provide 950 million euros ($1 billion) in subsidies this year to help drivers switch to cleaner vehicle’s. During Urso’s announcement the minister revealed that his government is open to the concept of buying a stake in Fiat-parent Stellantis (NYSE:STLA).
Urso mentioned that Stellantis had pledged to increase production in Italy to reach the one million vehicle mark, a milestone last achieved in 2017. The total production for the previous year stood at approximately 750,000.
Additionally, he proposed the idea that Italy could emulate the French government by acquiring a stake in Stellantis, which encompasses other brands such as Peugeot and Jeep.
"If Tavares maintains that Italy needs to do the same as France, which has boosted its active investment in Stellantis, then they can ask. We can discuss it together," Urso said. Top of Form
France holds a 6% stake in Stellantis. Italy's Agnelli family stands as the single largest investor in Stellantis through Exor.
In June of last year, Stellantis Chairman John Elkann expressed that the inclusion of the Italian state as a shareholder was unnecessary for the company.
Shares of STLA are up 3.32% in afternoon trading on Thursday.