Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Monti said last Friday that the government and Fiat S.p.A. have started to find ways for the state to assist the company to increase its exports in return for its commitments. A meeting took place in Rome between Fiat representatives and officials from the Industry Ministry to create the groundwork for future talks on how to make Italian auto exports more competitive. During a meeting at the foreign press club in Milan, Monti said that the meetings are meant to determine what the state can offer and what Fiat is willing to commit in return. Monti declined to provide further details about the discussions. On September 22, Fiat and the Italian government said that they will find ways to boost the company's manufacturing efficiency, as Fiat has made the promise to continue producing cars in Italy while switching the focus to export markets. This meeting took place amid a ton of criticism over Fiat’s ruling in late August to freeze planned investments to prevent more losses in a frail car market. An insider said that because of the meeting, Fiat aims to start producing cars like Jeeps at its idled Italian factories to offer in the U.S.
Italian government tries to find ways to boost Fiat exports
by Andrew Christian, Email, 14 Oct, 2012
