The End of an Era: FIRE Engine Production Ceases

A palpable silence hangs over the Stellantis facility in Termoli as the curtain falls on the FIRE engine assembly department this May. This closure marks not just the end of a production cycle, but a surrender of Italian manufacturing prowess too global strategies where Termoli appears to be a mere footnote.The FIRE engine, once a symbol of Fiat’s motorization, is now deemed obsolete in the rush toward an electric future.

Union Confirmation and Worker Concerns

Union representatives from Fim, Uilm, Uglm, and Fismic have confirmed the workers’ fears: the iconic FIRE engine is being discontinued. Generations of workers have built cars powered by this engine, now considered outdated in the push for electric vehicles. However, behind the rhetoric of the ecological transition lies a troubling void, or worse, a plan that relegates the Molise plant to the margins, if not oblivion.

Job Displacement and Uncertain Future

The FIRE engine department employs approximately 450 workers, and their future within Stellantis remains uncertain. The production of GME 2000 petrol engines, destined for the American market, is being progressively reduced and replaced by a production line entirely based in the United States.This represents another piece of Italian manufacturing moving overseas, with little intervention from national institutions. Similarly, the GSE engines (1000cc and 1600cc) are not operating at full capacity, and layoffs have become a structural measure rather than a temporary solution.

The unions are voicing their concerns, but their efforts seem isolated.Hopes are dwindling that the new 500 hybrid model can boost production and revitalize the factory. The situation reflects a broader trend in Europe, where automotive manufacturing is shifting in response to electrification and global competition. For example, Germany, a major automotive hub, is also grappling with similar challenges as it transitions to electric vehicle production.

Gigafactory Project Stalled: A Blow to Electric Conversion Plans

The alternative plan to transition Termoli towards electric vehicle component production has stalled. The proposed Gigafactory, once touted as a beacon of hope for the ecological transition, has been suspended for nearly a year. Originally slated to begin battery production in 2026, no new timeline has been established, and its future remains uncertain.The prospect of battery production being moved elsewhere looms large, casting a shadow over employment prospects in the region.

Even the new transmission production line, scheduled to start at the end of 2026, will not compensate for the job losses resulting from the FIRE engine closure. With 300 new positions expected versus the 450 lost from the FIRE department, the math is unforgiving.

Call for Action and a National Industrial Vision

In response to these developments, unions are planning awareness initiatives targeting the local community. While a positive step, these efforts may be insufficient. The real decisions are being made in government ministries and Stellantis boardrooms, where the preservation of Italian manufacturing interests appears to be diminishing. A national industrial strategy is needed, one that believes in the factory and moves beyond superficial pronouncements about the future.

Termoli: A Symbol of Industrial Decline?

As the FIRE engine shuts down, so too does a vision of a productive, robust, and worker-centric Italy. Termoli stands as a symbol of a nation struggling to defend its industrial base and its workforce. The situation underscores the need for proactive policies and investments to support manufacturing and ensure a just transition to a enduring economy.