Stellantis aims to keep Autobianchi, Innocenti brands, Tavares says

TURIN – Stellantis will try to keep possession of two dormant Italian brands it owns, but the automaker would stop short of clashing with the Italian government if it decides to take over Autobianchi and Innocenti.

The Il Sole 24 Ore daily newspaper said in July that Italy's government was considering whether to take over Stellantis' unused auto brands and offer them to Chinese companies to encourage them to establish factories in the country.

The Italian Industry Ministry did not deny the report. Stellantis said it was never notified about the proposal.

When asked about the topic at a press event here on Sept. 17, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said: “Whatever the laws are, we will respect the laws. If it's not the law, then we will try to protect our interest.”

According to Il Sole, the government's appropriation would be made possible under a law passed in December. Italy's Court of Auditors is reviewing a draft of the law. The decree would affect brands that have been dormant for at least five years.

Innocenti began car production in 1960 with the A40, an Italian version of the Austin A40 built under license from British Leyland. It ceased production in 1993.

The automaker gained prominence in the 1960s and 1970s when it built an Italian version of the Mini and followed that with a completely redesigned model done by Bertone. In 1980, Innocenti was taken over by Fiat, which is part of Stellantis.

Autobianchi was founded in 1955. It was taken over by Fiat in 1968 and produced upmarket city cars such as the A112 and Y10. The Y10 is an early ancestor to the current Lancia Ypsilon small car. Autobianchi ended production in 1995 when it was merged into Lancia.

'Enough brands'

Tavares said Stellantis is often criticized for having too many brands. "We already have 15," he said. “I think we have enough.”  

He said Stellantis is using its brands to cover the European market the following way:

• One luxury brand: Maserati
• Three premium brands: Alfa Romeo, Lancia and DS Automobiles
• Two upper-mainstream brands: Opel/ Vauxhall and Peugeot
• Two core brands: Citroen and Fiat
• One Chinese brand: Leapmotor.

Stellantis' portfolio also includes the U.S. SUV brand Jeep, which is Stellantis' most globally recognized brand; three North American marques, Chrysler, Dodge and Ram; plus the Fiat Professional light commercial vehicle brand.

"We have enough on our plate," Tavares said. "And we are going to manage our business as best as we can."