The Shadow of Marchionne: Calenda’s Sharp Critique of Stellantis
A Controversial Sale and Calls for Accountability
Carlo Calenda, a prominent Italian politician, isn’t known for pulling punches, especially when it comes to the country’s automotive industry. He’s been a vocal critic of Stellantis, the conglomerate formed through the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the PSA Group. Now, Calenda is raising eyebrows with his sharp scrutiny of a significant sale made during the wake of Sergio Marchionne, a giant in the automotive world.
Calenda recently took aim at Stellantis on “The Air That Blows,” a prominent Italian talk show on La7. The subject of his criticism: the sale of Magneti Marelli, a respected automotive components company. “Since Marchionne’s death, they sold Magneti Marelli. I asked them to exercise Golden Power,” Calenda stated, referring to a mechanism Italy can use to intervene in strategic industries, “and yet they didn’t do it. The Conte Government gave them 6.3 billion Euros, with 2.9 going toward debt payments, while the conditions set were labile and not respected. During all this time, I have been fighting this battle alone.”
The sale of Magneti Marelli has become a beacon of controversy, with critics, including Calenda, questioning the wisdom of the decision. They argue the division could have been a strategic asset for a larger Italian company, particularly in the context of the electric vehicle revolution.
Calenda’s statement also sheds light on his perception of Stellantis’ management. He believes there have been numerous missteps since Marchionne’s passing, particularly in handling the legendary Italian sports car brand Maserati.
The Legacy of a Titan and the Uncertain Future of Stellantis
Sergio Marchionne left an indelible mark on Fiat, steering the company out of troubled waters and transforming it into a global competitor. His loss left a void, and many believe his absence is being felt in the decisions being made at Stellantis today.
Calenda’s criticisms highlight a growing concern among some about the direction of the new auto giant. Can Stellantis retain the strengths of the companies that formed it while navigating the ever-evolving landscape of the automotive world? The high-profile dispute over Magneti Marelli’s sale is just the latest chapter in a story that’s still being written. The coming months will be critical in determining whether Stellantis can address the challenges it faces and live up to the legacy of pioneers like Marchionne.
Who is Carlo Calenda and what are his concerns about the sale of Magneti Marelli?
## The Sale of Magneti Marelli: A Conversation with Carlo Calenda
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re joined by Carlo Calenda, who has been making headlines with his strong opinions about the sale of Magneti Marelli, a leading Italian automotive components company, during Stellantis’ formative period. Mr. Calenda, thank you for joining us.
**Calenda:** It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Host:** You’ve been very vocal about this sale, calling it “controversial.” What are your main concerns?
**Calenda:** Well, first, let’s acknowledge the legacy of Sergio Marchionne. He was a visionary leader who built Fiat Chrysler into a global powerhouse. But his untimely death left a void, and in the scramble to create Stellantis, important decisions were made, some of which I believe were detrimental to Italian industry. The sale of Magneti Marelli, a jewel in Italy’s automotive crown, is one such case.
**Host:** Can you elaborate on why you consider this sale to be detrimental?
**Calenda:** [1](https://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com/newsrelease.do?id=20797) This sale to CK Holdings, a Japanese company, resulted in a significant loss of Italian technological expertise and know-how. Magneti Marelli was a world-renowned company, specializing in advanced automotive components. Its sale essentially handed over this valuable technological edge to foreign competitors.
**Host:** Stellantis, however, maintains that the sale was necessary to streamline its operations and focus on core competencies. What’s your response to that?
**Calenda:** I understand the need for streamlining, but I believe there were other solutions available. Selling a company like Magneti Marelli seemed like a short-sighted move, driven by immediate financial gain rather than a long-term vision for the Italian automotive industry.
**Host:** You mentioned accountability. Who do you believe is accountable for this decision?
**Calenda:** Ultimately, responsibility lies with the leadership of Stellantis at the time. I believe we need a thorough investigation into this process, to understand the reasons behind this sale and ensure that such decisions are made with the best interests of Italy’s industrial competitiveness in mind.
**Host:** Mr. Calenda, thank you for sharing your insights. This is clearly a complex and important issue, one that deserves further scrutiny.
**Calenda:** Absolutely. This isn’t just about one sale. It’s about the future of Italy’s automotive industry and the need for strong leadership that prioritizes national competitiveness.
