MILAN -- Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has started 90 percent of the investments planned for Italy, according to the automaker's Europe boss Pietro Gorlier.
FCA said last year it would spend 5 billion euros ($5.5 billion) in Italy up to 2021.
The plan includes the launches of electric and hybrid models. It aims to fill capacity utilization at FCA's Italian plants.
Gorlier said that despite unfounded speculation, FCA has "consistently confirmed the plan through action, with no delays."
"Around 90 percent of investments have been kicked off," he said, according to the text of a speech he gave at the Italian car industry association ANFIA assembly, in the FCA plant in Melfi, southern Italy, on Monday.
Gorlier did not specify how much of the planned investment has been spent so far.
As part of the plan, FCA will build a new 500 full-electric minicar at its Mirafiori factory in Turin. Hybrid models of the Jeep Compass and Renegade will be produced in Melfi.
Electrified models for Maserati and Alfa Romeo are also planned.
Alfa's upcoming compact SUV, which was previewed with the Tonale concept, will offer a plug-in hybrid variant. It is expected to be built in Pomigliano near Naples.
A small SUV planned for Alfa will include a battery-electric version as well as combustion engines, according to FCA’s third-quarter presentation to analysts. There is no decision on its production location.
In September Maserati announced production plans for its first hybrid and battery-powered models, including an electric sports car and a midsize SUV.
The sports car will be built in Maserati's plant in Modena, northern Italy.
The SUV will go into production in early 2020 in FCA's factory in Cassino, central Italy, where the Alfa Romeo Stelvio is built. The plant will get a new production line for the SUV that can handle electrified cars.
FCA is finalizing merger talks with PSA Group to try to create the world's fourth-largest automaker.
Automotive News Europe contributed to this report
