Stellantis could withdraw completely from industrial automation specialist Comau, reported Italian daily Corriere della Sera.

The US automaker’s remaining stake is likely to pass to US private equity firm One Equity Partners.

The equity firm acquired a majority interest in Comau from Stellantis at the end of 2024, in a deal that valued the automation group at around €300m ($345.7) including debt.

Stellantis is understood to have received about €150m in proceeds, having reinvested roughly half of the amount in order to keep a 49.9% holding.

Under the terms reported, One Equity Partners holds an option to purchase the remaining 49.9% of Comau within three years.

Stellantis will gain the right from 2027 to sell its minority interest to the private equity firm.

These call and put options are rights rather than obligations, but their inclusion is seen as pointing towards an eventual full transfer of ownership to One Equity Partners.

Comau did not respond to requests for comment.

Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa has indicated that, regardless of the group’s future position in Comau’s shareholding structure, the carmaker should maintain an industrial partnership with the automation company.

Comau is a major supplier to Stellantis and supported the establishment of the new hybrid Fiat 500, according to Filosa.

For One Equity Partners, the strategy is to broaden Comau’s activities and broadening its client portfolio outside Stellantis and the automotive industry.

In July, Comau announced the acquisition of Automha, a Turin-based provider of automated solutions for warehouse and intralogistics operations.

Comau is near to acquiring Invent Brasil, established in 2009 and active in the development and production of industrial machinery and equipment.