The conflict continues between Stellantis and the Italian government. The Italian government is now considering taking over the rights to several unused brands and assigning them to Chinese manufacturers.
As a result of numerous mergers and acquisitions, the Stellantis group owns many disappeared brands. From English, American, French, or Italian origins: Simca, Talbot, Sunbeam, Hillman, Plymouth, DeSoto… In particular, on the Italian side, Autobianchi and Innocenti are included. Two labels that the Italian government would like to see revived.
In Rome, for months now, there has been a public confrontation with the Stellantis group, and the desire to end its quasi-monopoly on automobile production in Italy is not hidden. It seems to be considered to simply seize the rights to the names. Steps in this direction have already been taken.
These brands would then be entrusted to other industrialists, perhaps to offer new electric models. Ironically for the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Innocenti and Autobianchi would be handed over to… Chinese manufacturers. Double irony since DR Motor, which currently assembles Chinese models in Italy, has just been reprimanded by the Italian justice system for deceiving consumers about the allegedly Italian origin of its vehicles…
Disappeared and Forgotten Brands
Innocenti and Autobianchi have several common points, besides their ownership and status as defunct brands. They are both intimately connected to the production of small city cars. This is not exactly the specialty of Chinese manufacturers… A large SUV from Autobianchi or a large sedan from Innocenti? That doesn’t make much sense.
Innocenti was born in 1960 within the group that also created Lambretta scooters. Its first models were clones of the Austin A40 and then of the Mini, produced in Italy under license. Its first and only in-house vehicle was the Innocenti Mini designed by Bertone. Its career was heavily disrupted by the financial problems of the brand. Innocenti thus came under the control of British Leyland (also the owner of Austin) and then rapidly under DeTomaso. In 1990, the Argentine industrialist sold Innocenti and Maserati in a bundle to Fiat.
Innocenti Mini DeTomaso
On the other hand, Autobianchi has never been a truly independent brand. From its inception in 1955, it was a partnership between the bike producer Bianchi, Pirelli, and the Fiat group, which absorbed it in 1968. Specialized in small cars, Autobianchi gave birth to some iconic models such as the Bianchina family based on the Fiat 500, or the innovative Primula. Its last model is the A112, born in 1968 to counter… the Innocenti Mini! It was replaced in 1985 by the Y10. This latter carries the Lancia badge but was also offered under the Autobianchi brand in Italy, Japan, or France for several years.
Autobianchi A112 Abarth