The Italian automotive industry between old and new driving forces

Résumé:

The Italian automotive industry highlights particular characteristics compared to other European countries. In Italy there is only one important assembler, the Exor Group that controls Fiat Chrysler Automobile, IVECO, Maneti Marelli and Comau, and a group of parts and components producers that is one of the most important in Europe, but characterized by a clear predominance of small and medium-sized companies that were once dependent on the national producer.
The last decade has marked important changes in this historical condition. The most important change was the new internationalization process of Fiat with the control of Chrysler and the birth of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). The second fundamental change is due to the economic-financial crisis that has generated strong repercussions on the automotive industry, which since 2008 has recorded a sharp decline in car production, especially in Italy.
Based on this ever-changing scenario, the present paper analyzes the restructuring process of the Italian automotive supply chain and whether the development factors have changed over time.