Stellantis Italy output seen rebounding in 2026 after two years of decline, union says

MILAN, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Stellantis is expected to produce around 450,000 vehicles in Italy this year, up from 2025 levels but below initial expectations, the FIM Cisl union said on Tuesday in its quarterly report on the automaker's output in the country.

• Stellantis, Italy's sole major automaker, assembled 340,745 vehicles in the first nine months of the year, up 28% from a year earlier, FIM Cisl said

• The increase was driven by new models, including the Jeep Compass SUV and the hybrid Fiat 500, as well as a solid performance from the Fiat Panda

• Additional new models entering production are expected to support output in the final months of this year, the union said

• However, output of the hybrid Fiat 500, a key contributor to the recovery, is now expected to reach only about 60,000 vehicles this year, well below Stellantis' initial target of 100,000 units

• Repeated production stoppages caused by engine-component shortages and weaker-than-expected demand have weighed on Fiat 500 output, the union said

• Stellantis was not immediately available for comment

• FIM Cisl expects Stellantis to produce around 450,000 vehicles in Italy this year, including more than 250,000 passenger cars, reversing a two-year decline in output

• Last year, Stellantis produced just under 380,000 vehicles in Italy, including 213,706 passenger cars, the lowest level since 1954

(Reporting by Giulio Piovaccari. Editing by Mark Potter)