Expectations that the Italian government is about to unveil an auto industry aid package rose this week following comments by prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
He said this week plans for sizeable amounts of aid for the auto and auto suppliers industries were almost ready. The package would also target the home appliance sector.
According to Reuters, industry minister Claudio Scajola said ministers had decided to “proceed with a decree at the cabinet meeting on Friday.”
However, he also rejected local media reports suggesting incentives for car buyers could include a EUR1,000 bonus to scrap old cars in favour of new eco-friendlier versions. There were also reports that road tax could be waived for three years for those buying a new car.
New car registrations in Italy fell 32.64% to 157,418 units in January, according to the ministry of transport and infrastructure.
Market leader Fiat Group’s registrations dropped 31.3% to 50,467 units.
Fiat took 32.06% market share compared with 31.44% in January 2008, according to Reuters.
