No Auto Plants Available in Italy for Chinese Purchase, Italian Minister Says
ROME — Chinese automakers looking to expand production capacity in Europe have ruled out Italy because of a lack of suitable factories, Italian Industry Minister Adolfo Urso told lawmakers in Rome on October 14, Reuters reported. 'They are touring Europe and what are they asking for? A turnkey factory,' Urso said, referring to a production site ready to operate immediately.
Urso said Chinese auto industry representatives, including BYD's European adviser Alfredo Altavilla, had visited plants in Italy and met him several times without finding suitable locations. He said Stellantis, Italy's sole major auto producer, has decided to produce cars in partnership with Chinese companies rather than give up any of its Italian factories, and that unlike other industry players it has not closed any plants in Italy, so it has no turnkey facilities available to hand over.
Altavilla told Reuters last month that BYD, unlike some of its Chinese competitors, aimed to buy and fully own a European plant rather than share it with local partners, and that it was focusing on Spain and France. The search comes as Brussels works on rules that will set minimum local-content limits for electric vehicles sold in the European Union.
(Source: Reuters)
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: Jebulon／CC0（Wikimedia Commons）
