Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Italy's government is following through on its threat to divert EU funding for the factory of the battery cell joint venture Automotive Cells Company (ACC) of Stellantis Mercedes-Benz and TotalEnergies in Termoli it is keeping a back door open and does not rule out "separate domestic state money" at a later stage The Italian government will redistribute around 200 million euros in EU funds earmarked for the ACC factory for other purposes Industry Minister Adolfo Urso explained that separate domestic state money could be made available if ACC can present a new industrial plan for Termoli at a later date Car manufacturer Stellantis is the largest stakeholder in ACC and came under considerable pressure from the Italian government in August Urso was already threatening that the government would use public funds for the project elsewhere if Stellantis did not commit to the site “within hours.” Stellantis issued an immediate statement at the time stating that ACC is currently improving the plan for the factories in Italy and Germany “to introduce a new technology for the production of cells and modules to be in line with the evolution of the market.” Stellantis thus stuck to its line of argument: When the cutback was announced in June the reason given was the declining demand for electric vehicles – and that the company thus wanted to research and develop more cost-effective batteries to supply cheaper electric vehicles ACC initially planned to convert a Stellantis engine plant in Termoli for the Italian plant An investment volume of around 2 billion euros was stated for this – including 370 million euros in public EU funds from the Corona Recovery and Resilience Facility the funds are limited until the end of 2026 This deadline is making the Italian government nervous the ACC Gigafactory in Termoli was to be commissioned in 2026 and supply up to 40 GWh of cells per year in a later final expansion stage ACC intends to specify exactly what will happen in Kaiserslautern and Termoli at the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025 which the Italian government has now announced does not suggest that production is likely to start in Italy in the short to medium term Despite the back door that Rome is holding open It is not yet known to what extent the reorientation phase at ACC will also affect the third factory in France The first production block with 13.4 GWh is currently being ramped up there Two more blocks were previously planned to reach 40 GWh the Group announced that it had agreed on a five-year collaboration with the French state research organisation CEA to develop next-generation battery cells it is not known which cell chemistry is the focus of the Stellantis-CEA collaboration There is only talk of ‘disruptive cell chemistries’ which does not necessarily speak in favour of the already quite common LFP technology reuters.com I agree with the Privacy policy electrive has been following the development of electric mobility with journalistic passion and expertise since 2013 we offer comprehensive coverage of the highest quality — as a central platform for the rapid development of this technology The expected tariff cost is significantly lower than the $4 billion to $5 billion crosstown rival General Motors estimates which Ford attributes to its higher mix of U.S.-built vehicles TechTarget and Informa Tech’s Digital Business Combine.TechTarget and Informa we power an unparalleled network of 220+ online properties covering 10,000+ granular topics serving an audience of 50+ million professionals with original We help you gain critical insights and make more informed decisions across your business priorities Automaker scales back battery production JV to continue raising hybrid production to meet European consumer demand Stellantis will begin making gearboxes for future hybrid powertrain models at a plant that had been earmarked for exclusive use as a gigafactory for battery-electric vehicles The automaker plans to use the Termoli factory in Southern Italy to construct dual-clutch transmissions to be employed by hybrid cars currently making internal-combustion engines is one of three sites in Europe where a Stellantis-led joint venture with battery specialist Automotive Cells Co (ACC) announced plans to create BEV battery-making gigafactories While a gigafactory in France is now up and running plans for two similar facilities in Italy and Germany were officially paused last year as ACC was switching to lower-cost batteries in the face of slowing consumer demand for BEVs In a company statement to Reuters news agency Stellantis says it will produce electrified dual-clutch transmissions (eDCT) in Termoli to help expand its hybrid model range starting from 2026 It made no reference to ACC's plans for the plant The statement adds: “With a target of three hundred thousand units per year Termoli becomes Stellantis' third production hub for this sophisticated transmission.” The company already produces eDCTs in Mirafiori, Italy, and Metz, France, where it signaled its overarching intention to boost hybrid vehicle production with the takeover in January of the joint venture operation it had in that plant Italy's major metalworker unions welcome the automaker’s decision for Termoli saying eDCT production would provide employment for around 300 of the 1,800 staff at the plant Stellantis also says it will increase production levels for key components needed to support increased eDCT output at its plants in Sint Truiden It adds it will also install a new assembly line for the components in Metz which has Mercedes and TotalEnergies as shareholders says the JV is still assessing its investment plans for Italy and Germany with an aim to make a decision after June this year Paul Myles is an award-winning journalist based in Europe covering all aspects of the automotive industry He has a wealth of experience in the field working at specialist Shifting Gears: What Car Buyers Really Want in 2025 Less is More: How Website Overload Sinks Your Sales This website is owned and operated by Informa TechTarget influences and connects the world’s technology buyers and sellers Informa PLC’s registered office is 5 Howick Place The firm plans to start production of eDCT for hybrid vehicles at the Termoli plant from 2026 Stellantis is planning to manufacture dual-clutch transmissions for hybrid vehicles at its Termoli plant in Southern Italy, reported Reuters had been earmarked by Stellantis-led battery cell joint venture Automotive Cells Company (ACC) which includes partners TotalEnergies and Mercedes This is one of the three locations identified by ACC in Europe to establish EV battery gigafactories While a gigafactory in France is now operational the development of additional facilities in Italy and Germany was paused last year due to ACC’s shift towards lower-cost battery production An ACC spokesperson was cited by the news agency as saying that the joint venture is still evaluating its investment strategy for the Italian and German sites The spokesperson added that Stellantis’ announcement regarding the Termoli facility does not alter the current plans Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné suggested the joint venture should prioritise its French facility casting doubt over the Italian and German gigafactory plans Stellantis revealed that it will start producing electrified dual clutch transmissions (eDCT) which is said to be a key component for hybrid vehicles The company was quoted by the news agency as saying: “With a target of three hundred thousand units per year Termoli becomes Stellantis’ third production hub for this sophisticated transmission.” Stellantis currently manufactures eDCTs at its facilities in Mirafiori The move to produce these components in Termoli has been welcomed by Italy’s major metalworker unions who see it as a source of employment for about 300 of the plant’s 1,800 workers In addition to the developments in Termoli Stellantis plans to ramp up production of essential parts needed for increased eDCT output at its facilities in Sint Truiden where it will also establish a new assembly line for these components In December 2024, Stellantis partnered with Chinese battery manufacturer CATL to build a €4.1bn ($4.3bn) carbon-neutral gigafactory in Spain Nominations are now open for the prestigious Just Auto Excellence Awards - one of the industry's most recognised programmes celebrating innovation This is your chance to showcase your achievements Don't miss the opportunity to be honoured among the best - submit your nomination today Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network By clicking here, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and consent to us collection your details for the purposes of your enquiry Stellantis: bad news for battery plants in Germany (Kaiserslautern) and Italy (Termoli) In June 2024, the Automotive Cells Company (ACC) joint venture, which brings together Stellantis Mercedes-Benz and TotalEnergies announced a pause in plans for battery Gigafactories in Europe notably at Termoli in Italy and Kaiserslautern in Germany Falling demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in Europe a new and unexpected turn of events seems to be calling the future of these projects into question falling demand for electric vehicles was presented as the main reason for the suspension which had bet on lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) batteries for its factories turned out to be less optimistic than expected But behind this justification lies a more complex reality has become a serious alternative to NCM batteries While this new chemistry enables lower production costs it was not initially included in ACC’s roadmap To adapt to this technological revolution, Stellantis has signed strategic partnerships with leaders in the LFP battery market, such as CATLto secure the supply needed to produce more affordable electric vehicles the Fiat Grande Panda and the future electric Fiat 500 Just as the transition to LFP batteries seemed to be settling in as a necessary pivot for ACC A new statement from TotalEnergies boss Patrick Pouyanné has cast a pall over the future of Gigafactories in Europe Pouyanné questioned the relevance of developing new plants in Germany and Italy suggesting that the focus should instead be on the existing plant in France pointing out the financial risks of multiplying sites before the first is fully operational It’s better to concentrate efforts on one plant rather than three TotalEnergies’ stance marks a break with ACC’s original plan for European expansion which have direct interests in these two countries could see these statements as a brake on their ambitions these plants were supposed to produce batteries for EVs destined for these markets TotalEnergies’ skepticism about building new plants could disrupt the plans of Stellantis and its allies Relations between the three ACC partners could come under pressure while agreeing on the move towards electrification are not necessarily pursuing the same strategy as TotalEnergies By insisting on the priority of the French plant Patrick Pouyanné is putting considerable pressure on his European partners who are seeking to secure production capacity in their local markets has already been briefed by Pouyanné challenges inherent in the production of battery cells requiring expertise far more complex than that of the traditional automotive industry We’re not just talking about robots here but about a process that requires specialized know-how While we have been waiting for further information on battery plants in Italy and Germany in the first half of 2025 this new statement from a major project partner is unexpected Stellantis and his partners face some tough choices This is a major blow for the Kaiserslautern and Termoli plants READ the latest Batteries News shaping the battery market Stellantis: bad news for battery plants in Germany (Kaiserslautern) and Italy (Termoli), source U Power Limited (NASDAQ:UCAR) Partners with Sumitomo Mitsui to Deliver Southeast Asia’s First Battery-Swapping Taxi Fleet in Phuket PHUKET 2025 /PRNewswire/ — U Power Limited (Nasdaq:.. 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COPYRIGHT POLICY DISCLAIMER TERMS & CONDITIONS PRIVACY POLICY We love meeting interesting people and making new friends Theo Barklem-Biggs spoke exclusively with RadioTimes.com about the season's traumatic events for Reg Seekings *Warning - contains spoilers for SAS Rogue Heroes season 2 episode 4* While SAS Rogue Heroes is a rollicking action adventure through the SAS's missions in the Second World War it also isn't afraid to show the horrors of conflict – and in season 2 episode 4 The episode saw Theo Barklem-Biggs's Reg Seekings staying behind in Termoli while his comrades went off on a mission and the hardened soldier found himself growing close to a family living there the worst happened - the family were all killed by a German shell RadioTimes.com caught up with Barklem-Biggs about this heart-rending storyline and how he took to portraying the inner turmoil of Reg When asked how season 2 differed from season 1 from his perspective Barklem-Biggs said: \"I think in the first series we tackled the veneer of Seekings we kind of shone a light on his inner state a lot more \"And I wanted to do justice to Reg's real story – although we’re playing the myth of these men there were some moments that I think he really was affected by \"There's a great interview in Rogue Warriors where you see him speak about this specific scenario and you see he's a bit of a guarded character and expose that bit you don't see for these lads more generally Barklem-Biggs noted that \"the cracks\" in Reg's mental and emotional state were starting to show right at the beginning of season 2 brought on by the \"genuinely traumatic\" Operation Husky \"He probably was suffering in some sort of way,\" the actor explained \"but I think that we're met with a much more intense experience for them and it's a different type of warfare than I think they're used to.\" Barklem-Biggs said he had known about Reg's experiences in Termoli from reading the real-life figure's obituary and from Ben Macintyre's book but said he was \"really excited when I read that they were tackling that story and shining a light on it\" and obviously feeling kind of close to Reg I thought that was fantastic that they get to show that real story,\" he explained and it's not just a genius stroke from [creator you can see him kind of crack very slightly talking about Italy \"But to get to shine a light on what we now call PTSD to tap into someone that's the most palpably hard in the division amongst Jock [McDiarmid] and maybe Pat Riley it's an interesting marriage of a palpably hard guy SAS Rogue Heroes season 2 is available to stream now on BBC iPlayer SAS Rogue Heroes season 2 star wanted to do justice to tragic episode 4 storylineTheo Barklem-Biggs spoke exclusively with RadioTimes.com about the season's traumatic events for Reg Seekings While SAS Rogue Heroes is a rollicking action adventure through the SAS's missions in the Second World War it also isn't afraid to show the horrors of conflict – and in season 2 episode 4 The episode saw Theo Barklem-Biggs's Reg Seekings staying behind in Termoli while his comrades went off on a mission RadioTimes.com caught up with Barklem-Biggs about this heart-rending storyline Theo Barklem-Biggs as Reg Seekings in SAS Rogue Heroes BBC/Banijay UKWhen asked how season 2 differed from season 1 from his perspective Barklem-Biggs said: "I think in the first series we tackled the veneer of Seekings "And I wanted to do justice to Reg's real story – although we’re playing the myth of these men "There's a great interview in Rogue Warriors where you see him speak about this specific scenario and you see he's a bit of a guarded character and expose that bit you don't see for these lads more generally Barklem-Biggs noted that "the cracks" in Reg's mental and emotional state were starting to show right at the beginning of season 2 brought on by the "genuinely traumatic" Operation Husky "He probably was suffering in some sort of way," the actor explained "but I think that we're met with a much more intense experience for them and it's a different type of warfare than I think they're used to." Keep up to date with all the dramas - from period to crime to comedy By entering your details you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Barklem-Biggs said he had known about Reg's experiences in Termoli from reading the real-life figure's obituary and from Ben Macintyre's book but said he was "really excited when I read that they were tackling that story and shining a light on it" I thought that was fantastic that they get to show that real story," he explained and it's not just a genius stroke from [creator "But to get to shine a light on what we now call PTSD to tap into someone that's the most palpably hard in the division amongst Jock [McDiarmid] and maybe Pat Riley it's an interesting marriage of a palpably hard guy SAS Rogue Heroes season 2 is available to stream now on BBC iPlayer James HibbsDrama WriterJames Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism you are agreeing to site title privacy policy This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. 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Holiday brochuresNeed inspiration of where to go next Request a free brochure and start your journey The car manufacturer Stellantis has announced that it will also produce eDCT (Electrified Dual Clutch Transmission) gearboxes for hybrid vehicles at its Termoli plant in Italy starting next year there is no update on the battery cell factory of the ACC joint venture that is also planned there Termoli will become the third production centre for these transmissions for the automotive group alongside the Mirafiori (Italy) and Metz (France) plants It will have a capacity of 300,000 units per year These eDCT gearboxes will be used in the various Group brands’ entire mild hybrid fleet (MHEV) and new plug-in hybrid generation (PHEV) Stellantis says they are characterised by “top performance in terms of weight reduction fuel consumption and pollutant emissions.” The eDCT transmission was introduced to Stellantis via the former PSA Group and comes specifically from a joint venture between the French car manufacturer and the Belgian transmission manufacturer Punch Powertrain. It has been built in Metz since 2020 Stellantis took “full control of the development and production process of the eDCT gearbox previously conducted in collaboration with a Belgian OEM.” The initiative to also build the eDCT in Termoli in the future is a “logical and concrete consequence of the recent acquisition.” The multi-brand group relies on the eDCT on a large scale and is also expanding production in Metz with a new assembly line the production of important components in the component plants in Metz and Sint Truden it is questionable whether the announced cell production in Termoli will be realised at all Reuters asked ACC what the current development means for the battery plans: an ACC spokesperson said that the joint venture is still evaluating its investment plans for Italy and Germany to make a decision this year – but not before June The gearbox announcement by Stellantis does not change the situation stellantis.com (eDCT; in Italien), reuters.com (ACC) The Termoli engine plant will pause from 16 to 22 December while the Cassino auto factory will halt on 29 November Stellantis will temporarily stop production at two of its plants in southern Italy, amid the Italian government’s request for new investments, reported Reuters with workers being furloughed during these periods the company said in two separate statements seen by the publication which owns Italian brands such as Fiat and Alfa Romeo stated that it will “ensure the continuity” of its operations in Italy.  it acknowledged facing “a challenging path requiring difficult choices and offering no easy solutions.”  The automaker is facing industry-wide challenges including low demand for electric vehicles and competition from China which have impacted its profit and cash-flow forecasts.  Stellantis has paused production at several Italian plants this year including at the Mirafiori plant in Turin.   In recent discussions with the government and unions, Stellantis pledged not to close factories or implement mass redundancies in Italy.  Italy’s Industry Minister Adolfo Urso stated that the government has asked Stellantis to present a “convincing and sustainable” investment plan for Italy by 16 December.   Urso also urged Stellantis to clarify its plans for a stalled battery-making plant and to commit to producing a new small car in Italy to support the local auto components sector.  Highlighting industry challenges, Ford has announced a reduction of around 14% in its European workforce citing weak demand for electric vehicles and competition from subsidised Chinese rivals.   The battery cell joint venture Automotive Cells Company (ACC) of Stellantis Mercedes-Benz and TotalEnergies is pausing construction work on its battery cell plants in Kaiserslautern and Termoli this is in order to switch from its nickel-based cell chemistry to more cost-effective battery technologies ACC has been planning three European battery cell plants for years is currently ramping up following its opening last year The other two factories in Kaiserslautern and Termoli are scheduled to go online in 2025 and 2026 as reported by Reuters and various other media outlets ACC has temporarily suspended work on the plants in Germany and Italy The reason given is the declining demand for electric vehicles The company is said to have explained that it needs to research and develop cost-effective batteries in order to supply cheaper electric vehicles and that it will specify its industrial and construction schedule at the end of 2024 or beginning of 2025 The joint venture is currently focussing on NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) battery cells ACC is owned by Stellantis, Mercedes and Saft, a battery subsidiary of TotalEnergies – recently in a 45:30:25 per cent ratio. It recently became apparent that Stellantis could be reorienting itself. It has long been suspected that the OEM could be looking for an alternative partner in Chinese manufacturer CATL to build a European factory for cheaper LFP cells Reuters now writes that such a production facility has already been agreed between the two partners was recently asked in a media briefing whether his company would support three ACC factories in Europe in addition to the joint venture with CATL “We are going to adjust our investment plans on EVs to the pace at which market sales of EVs grow We do not control that speed,” he replied Mercedes wrote in a statement that it is committed to ACC and that its electrification strategy remains on track the Stuttgart-based company is currently also putting the brakes on investment by changing course the company had pursued a very stringent ‘electric only’ strategy The reason for turning away from this was the disappointing sales figures for current luxury electric cars which were forcing Mercedes to make ‘tough cuts’ as the Handelsblatt newspaper reported in May This context helps to explain why at least two out of three shareholders are likely to see the need to put the brakes on plant construction the Rheinpfalz newspaper first reported on the pause – citing ACC Secretary General Matthieu Hubert The state chancellery of Rhineland-Palatinate confirmed the decision on Tuesday Hubert is quoted in the Rheinpfalz newspaper as saying that the market for electric cars is developing more slowly than expected we have to answer the question of what kind of battery cell technology the market requires.” the state government of Rhineland-Palatinate has also spoken out It is very confident that production will take place in Kaiserslautern ACC wanted to invest two of a total of seven billion euros in Kaiserslautern The public funding for construction at the Opel site amounts to around 437 million euros The previous schedule envisaged completing the construction work in Kaiserslautern by mid-2024 then installing the equipment and starting production at the beginning of 2025 Three production blocks with a capacity of 13.4 GWh each were planned by 2030 – around 40 GWh in total 40 GWh each are also planned for the French and Italian sites It is not yet known to what extent the reorientation phase at ACC will also affect France A further two blocks have been planned to date in order to reach the aforementioned 40 GWh The beginnings of ACC date back to 2018 – not yet under this name at the time The project began at the end of 2018 as a Franco-German battery cell initiative by PSA which applied for the so-called ‘Altmaier billion’ in reference to the then Minister of Economic Affairs The plan for a plant on both sides of the Rhine then became part of the first ‘Battery IPCEI’ the Franco-German consortium gave the go-ahead for pilot production at a Saft plant in France in January 2020 the partners developed the cell technology for the future plants in Douvrin and Kaiserslautern there was still talk of 24 GWh per year and factory The joint venture Automotive Cell Company (ACC) was officially founded in September 2020 by PSA With the merger of PSA and FCA to form today’s Stellantis Group Mercedes-Benz had officially become another ACC partner shortly beforehand In February of this year, ACC took out a loan of 4.4 billion euros from commercial banks to finance the construction of the three battery cell factories The shareholders also injected additional funds at the same time – which had an impact on the previously balanced ownership structure the loan was to be used to finance four further production blocks the debt package was not only intended to finance the new production capacities but also the company’s development work The money may therefore now be channelled into the development of cheaper cell technologies ACC is not the first battery cell manufacturer to adjust its plans Chinese battery specialist SVOLT announced that it would not be realising its plant in Lauchhammer it has reassessed its location strategy – and has also expressed frustration at the lack of political support In a statement issued by the company last week it said: “In addition to an already low level of planning security at various levels – from the threat of international punitive tariffs to market distortions due to lengthy and unevenly distributed subsidies” a “significant customer project has also been cancelled.” In addition the renewed discussions about the end of combustion engines in the EU are having a counterproductive effect on the planned localisation efforts The construction of the SVOLT factory in Saarland continues to be delayed at the same time Another example is Ford: the plans for a Turkish battery cell plant under the direction of LG Energy Solution and Koç – a shareholder in the Ford Otosan joint venture alongside Ford – have been on ice for some time The background to this is a cost-cutting programme adopted by the Ford Group in response to losses running into billions at Ford’s Model e electric division and weakening consumer demand reuters.com, automobilwoche.de Don't have an account? Subscribe “Our goal is to help stakeholders understand the future of mobility.” Home › News › Reuters: Stellantis abandoning battery plans for Termoli plant Stellantis planned to retool its Termoli plant for battery production but now it is moving to dual-clutch transmissions for hybrids Stellantis-led joint venture (JV) ACC has abandoned plans to retool its combustion engine plant in Termoli ACC will adapt the site to produce electrified dual-clutch transmissions (eCDTs) for hybrid vehicles according to a 17 February 2025 report by Reuters Sign up now and gain unlimited access to our news Subscribe Let us help you understand the future of mobility Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" and trends shaping the future of electric mobility Tickets for this in-person event are limited and trends shaping the future of the software-defined vehicle and trends shaping the future of autonomous mobility You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed Italy's government is putting pressure on Stellantis to make a firm commitment to the ACC joint venture's battery cell factory in the country Work there is currently on hold in order to ‘improve’ the plans for the production facility The battery cell joint venture between Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz and TotalEnergies – the full name is Automotive Cells Company (ACC) – is currently pausing construction work on two of its three planned battery cell plants The sites in Kaiserslautern and Termoli in Italy have been affected Work is officially on hold there in order to switch from nickel-based cell chemistry to more cost-effective battery technologies in the early construction phase Car manufacturer Stellantis is the largest shareholder in ACC and is now coming under pressure from the Italian government According to a report by the news agency Reuters Industry Minister Adolfo Urso is threatening that the government will divert public funds for the project if Stellantis does not make a commitment to the site “within hours.” He is quoted as saying: “Stellantis must give us a reply If Stellantis does not give us a positive feedback within hours We can’t afford to lose these funds because Stellantis is not sticking to its commitments.” Stellantis issued a statement late on Thursday evening It states that ACC is currently improving the plan for the factories in Italy and Germany “to introduce a new technology for the production of cells and modules Stellantis is thus sticking to its line of argument the reason given was the declining demand for electric vehicles – and that the company therefore wanted to research and develop more cost-effective batteries in order to supply cheaper electric vehicles How exactly things will continue in Kaiserslautern and Termoli is to be specified at the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025 A further two blocks were previously planned in order to reach 40 GWh There is only talk of ‘disruptive cell chemistries’ ACC’s original plan was to convert a Stellantis engine plant in Termoli for the Italian plant An investment volume of around 2 billion euros was stated for this – including 370 million euros in public EU funds from the Corona Recovery and Resilience Facility although the funds are limited until the end of 2026 reuters.com The Italian government has issued a stern warning to Stellantis that if it doesn’t give a firm commitment to establishing a local battery production plant Stellantis had promised to establish a battery factory in Italy through the ACC battery joint venture that it is the largest investor in alongside two other battery gigafactories in Europe work on plants in Italy and Germany were put on hold earlier this year Read: Stellantis Snags Rivian’s Manufacturing Head To Lead EV Push industry minister Adolfo Urso said that Stellantis must commit to the project or else it is at risk of losing €370 million ($411 million) in public funds from the EU’s post-COVID-19 recovery fund and it must do so shortly,” Urso said “If Stellantis does not give us a positive feedback within hours We can’t afford to lose these funds because Stellantis is not sticking to its commitments.” Urso added that the ministry has been waiting on answers from Stellantis for too long and said that while “the government did its part ACC is part-owned by Mercedes and TotalEnergies and says it will confirm its industrial and construction timeline later this year or in early 2025 It had initially expected to begin operations at a new battery plant in Termoli but is currently revising plans for this site and one in Germany “to introduce a new technology for the production of cells and modules to be in line with the evolution of the market.” Reuters understands that slowing demand for electric vehicles has prompted the carmaker to increase output of components for hybrid powertrains at the Termoli factory A tough day today for the juniors in Rome against Atl.Lodigiani and the girls who at 19pm will play everything at home against Maceratese. The probable formation: Mascolo, E. Ferrante, Bellusci, Marchegiani; Pepa, Alfieri, Raparo, Pesaresi; Canons: Pierfederici, Zini. SAS Rogue Heroes happily plays fast and loose with the truth but the reality of the special forces heroics in Italy reads like fiction anyway Culture | TV SAS Rogue Heroes season two begins with the statement that it is “Based on a true story… but be aware… this is NOT a history lesson.” Indeed the show does – exuberantly – play fast and loose with the facts of the SAS’s real role in the invasion of mainland Europe in spring 1943 (following season one’s look at the creation of the SAS and first campaigns behind Nazi lines in North Africa) But the exciting and impressive thing is the true story behind it all OK there may have been slightly less one-armed machine gunning to AC/DC but what really happened is still an incredible tale of derring-do The full story is told in Ben Macintyre’s excellent book of the same name but here's a look over at the real story behind series two NB this is told without spoiling events in the show which often entail different fates for characters… the 1st SAS was rejigged into the Special Raiding Squadron The Special Boat Squadron was also set up at this time under the command of George Jellicoe the 2nd SAS was also set up by David Stirling’s older brother Lieutenant Colonel Bill Stirling (played by Gwilym Lee in the show) Mayne’s Special Raiding Squadron were the spearheads of the Allied invasion of Sicily Sicily is a large island in the Mediterranean at the toe of Italy and was an important stronghold for the Axis powers of Nazi Germany and the Fascist Italian government Operation Husky took place in July 1943 combining British It began with an amphibious and airborne assault with one Allied army landing on the south-eastern coast and another on the central southern coast At that time in Sicily there were around 200,000 Italian troops 32,000 German troops and 30,000 Luftwaffe ground staff though more German troops were sent to the island by the end of July The operation was devised at the Casablanca Conference in January 1943 by the Combined Chiefs of Staff and planned in detail with Generals Montgomery and Alexander From 3rd July the Allies bombed Sicilian airfields and Axis communication posts though they left beach defences alone so as to retain an element of surprise as to where the landings would occur Glastonbury profits more than double amid ‘corporate’ criticism Hundreds of dinosaur footprints dating back 166 million years found in quarry Yin from The Traitors says show like ‘therapy’ and ‘did not feel very intense’ Why you should try The Wine Flyer for Christmas gifts and in fact strong winds meant only 12 of the 147 British gliders landed on target and 69 crashed into the sea leading to the drowning of more than 200 men; something hauntingly depicted in the TV show as Paddy Mayne orders his men to ignore the struggling men in the water and concentrate on their own attack The scattering of American and British troops meant they attacked as small isolated units which had the positive effect of spreading confusion in enemy ranks Sea landings fared better in the early hours of July 10 along the southern and eastern coasts and by morning the port of Licata was captured Bill Stirling’s 2nd SAS unit raided a lighthouse on the southeast coast in Operation Narcissus with 40 men capturing the important high ground area on July 10 Meanwhile Paddy Mayne led two operations that day The first was to capture an enemy coastal battery to allow for the safe landing of troops behind him after being given carte blanche by HQ to do what he saw fit The second operation was the capturing of the town of Augusta which he achieved in broad daylight in a surprise attack that allowed them to collect enemy stores and equipment These operations are memorably depicted in the show and the official citation confirms Mayne’s heroics: “In both these operations it was Major Mayne’s courage determination and superb leadership which proved the key to success He personally led his men from landing craft in the face of heavy machine-gun fire he succeeded in forcing his way to ground where it was possible to form up and sum up enemy defences.” General Alexander’s plan was to split the island by creating a line between Licata and Catania thrusting north through the Caltanissetta and Enna regions The Allies cleared the Italian and German forces from the island and opened up the Mediterranean sea lines which led to Mussolini being toppled from power in Italy on July 25 Full scale Axis withdrawal began on 11th August The Allies invaded Italy on September 3 1943 compelling Hitler to send German troops to Italy to support the crumbling Italian forces; a fifth of the German army was diverted from the eastern front to southern Europe Mayne’s Special Raiding Squadron made raids along the Italian coastline as part of this including taking the town of Termoli on the Adriatic coast He held out for three days of German counter-attacks until Allied troops arrived to secure the town after a truck laden with men was hit by an artillery shell Mayne was seen charging up a hill with a child’s pram filled with bottles of wine The drinking session that followed ended with Mayne pulling out the pins of two hand grenades and throwing them on the table Meanwhile the 2nd SAS took part in Operation Begonia from October 2 to 6 The objective was to locate escaped prisoners of war from the Italian interior Hundreds of POWs were found and taken to the beaches but only 50 were actually evacuated due to faults in planning like a lack of radios Operation Candytuft saw the 2nd SAS land by boat on the east coast between Ancona and Pescara in which they destroyed rail bridges and disrupted rear areas the Special Raiding Squadron reverted to the name 1st SAS and together with the 2nd SAS were withdrawn from Italy under the command of the 1st Airborne Division Stirling – called ‘the Phantom Major’ by Nazi Field Marshall Rommel quite mad,” by his own Field Marshall Montgomery – was captured in January 1943 around Gabes in Tunisia (as seen at the end of SAS Rogue Heroes season one) by a special German unit set up to take on the SAS He escaped the Germans in Italy but was recaptured by the Italian III Armoured Group ‘Cavallegerri di Monferrato’ but escaped numerous times before ending up in the notorious Colditz Castle The castle was used as camp called Oflag IV-C which was set up for Allied officers who repeatedly tried to escape from other camps Colditz was set on a high rocky outcrop overlooking the River Zwickauer Mulde and was ‘inescapable’ He arrived at Colditz on 20th August 1944 and remained there until the end of the war He was transferred to the Regular Army Reserve of Officers in 1947 given an honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel He retired in 1965 and went on to become a controversial figure in Britain as he worked as an arms dealer and mercenary in Saudi Arabia and Libya and created an organisation called Great Britain 75 which aimed to organise a private army to overthrow the government As lieutenant colonel of the reformed 1st SAS continued to lead the SAS through the final campaigns of the war though it is not yet known if subsequent series of SAS Rogue Heroes will cover them After becoming one of the most decorated and celebrated soldiers ever – though he scandalously didn’t receive the Victoria Cross – he eventually returned to Newtownards in Northern Ireland to work as a solicitor rarely talked of his wartime heroics and died in a car accident after a night of drinking on December 12 1955 Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer UK tourists face major travel shake-up as Dubai airport set to close Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in major blow for Putin ahead of Victory Day celebrations Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in blow for Putin David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash in London 'shut down' by council over noise complaints David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash 'shut down' over noise complaints Cianni, last Sunday, at the triple whistle and the confirmation of the result of Sora, a huge sigh of relief. "Absolutely yes. It was a particular season, complex, difficult and in which we had an infinite number of misfortunes, one after the other. Despite this, we held firm and in the end our values ​​emerged and I believe that when you live similar years so intensely then something good and lasting always comes out, at least for the near future". Was there a risk of confidence fading? "No, in the sense that the team, with mister Bilò, has always offered performances that were up to par. Sometimes we were gratified by the results and sometimes less so, but in terms of commitment and attitude the boys have always given their all. There is always the risk that when the championship takes a negative turn, then straightening it out is very complicated". When will we start talking, concretely about the future, starting clearly with the technical staff? "Now we have this match to honor to close the season in the best possible way. I think that within the next week we will meet with the Company to start talking about programs". MACTE Museo di Arte Contemporanea in Termoli will host the Italian premiere of Elisa Caldana’s project The Falcon of Karachi After a stint working in Pakistan and an exhibition at West Den Haag in the Netherlands Caldana brings to Italy a series of works that become part of MACTE’s permanent collection thanks to her Italian Council 12 win in 2023.The focus of the exhibition is the Laggar falcon India and Myanmar that is threatened with extinction Through an artistic language that ranges from film to sculpture Caldana reflects on the relationship between wildlife and domestication exploring the cultural and political processes that emerge when wildlife is forced into captivity The main installation is conceived for the MACTE rotunda a space transformed to evoke the atmosphere of a Karachi courtyard the public is invited to immerse themselves in a dialogue between the works Prominent among the sections is a film shot by the artist during his repeated trips to Pakistan Another striking feature is the fabric works reproducing the raptor’s plumage made in collaboration with international artisans Also at the center of the exhibition is the bronze sculpture Untitled (Released): depicting hands holding a hawk before its release this work evokes themes of oppression and liberation Elisa Caldana weaves a narrative in which the metaphor of Laggar’s hawk becomes a tool to reflect on power relations between humans and nature pollution and the dynamics of control exercised over the environment but also a means of questioning rights - human and otherwise - and collective responsibilities MACTE is offering a Public Program that includes meetings and workshops there will be an open dialogue with the artist and curator Bruno Alves De Almeida of the Jan Van Eyck Academie in Maastricht the museum will host a hands-on workshop led by Caldana together with Dutch textile designer Aliki Van der Kruijs thanks to the support of the Embassy and Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands This workshop will offer participants the opportunity to explore artistic techniques related to textile work MACTE offers a selection of works from the Termoli Prize collection in the side rooms These include works by artists such as Benni Bosetto alongside lesser-known but significant pieces such as Bettino Craxi’s silkscreens dedicated to Pierre Restany and the Malangatana altarpiece which is exceptionally displayed until the end of the exhibition before returning to storage For more information about the exhibition and the program of events, you can visit the MACTE Foundation’s official website at www.fondazionemacte.com. The words of the unions are very clear and describe a critical situation with the cessation of assembly activities expected as early as the summer Declining demand for conventional engines and the end of production of important engines such as the Neptune V6 and GME combined with uncertainty about the future of the GSE 1.0L ACC’s abandonment of the battery gigafactory project is a further blow to the site’s conversion prospects It remains to be seen what measures will be taken to mitigate the social and economic impact of this potential closure and whether the production of the Fiat 500 hybrid can represent a real and lasting turnaround Recent statements by trade unions regarding the situation at Stellantis in Termoli sound a clear alarm: starting in June or July assembly activity at the plant may cease completely worrying signs had foreshadowed this critical situation The structural decline in demand for internal combustion engines the halt in production of the Neptune V6 engine destined for Maserati the end of the GME life cycle for Alfa Romeo and the profound uncertainty shrouding the future of the small GSE 1.0L the key engine for the Fiat Panda and 500 hybrid models were outlining a situation that was certainly not good Adding to the complexity of the context is the now almost certain abandonment of the project that was to transform the site into a large battery factory (gigafactory) by ACC The images coming out of Termoli today are eloquent: trucks loaded with decommissioned components and workers bitterly watching the gradual emptying of the plant “This is a gradual and systematic dismantling,” stresses Gianluca Falcone the Fire production line is at a standstill The 8-valve engines are already out of production and the 16-valve engines will follow the same fate by summer and the V6 is deemed economically unsustainable for the future presented as a green breakthrough opportunity for the site The much-discussed Termoli battery factory celebrated by local and national political figures now turns out to be an unfulfilled promise acknowledged the “extreme complexity” of its implementation fewer than 2,000 employees at the Termoli plant are living in a climate of uncertainty about their professional future They are facing an industrial reorganization that seems to have lacked concrete solutions and a lack of viable employment alternatives initially presented as a potential solution for the site will involve only about 300 workers and not until 2026 That is the main concern swirling among the increasingly desolate spaces of the Molise factory One glimmer of optimism is the arrival of the future Fiat 500 hybrid ACC intends to build a third production site at the Stellantis facility in Termoli Partners to accelerate ACC development with an objective of at least 120 gigawatt hours of cell capacity by 2030 Stellantis supports Automotive Cells Company’s (ACC) growth plans as it intends to transform Stellantis’ existing Termoli plant in Italy to a new battery facility and finalizes the agreement to add Mercedes-Benz as a new equal partner with TotalEnergies/Saft and Stellantis The partners have also committed to increase ACC’s industrial capacity to at least 120 gigawatt hours (GWh) by 2030 and to scale up development and production of next-generation high-performance battery cells and modules “We are grateful to everyone involved in this investment to secure the future of the great community in Termoli,” said Carlos Tavares “Transforming the existing plant to help support a more sustainable future positions ACC as the European leader in battery manufacturing and reaffirms thanks to the collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Development Italy’s role in supporting Stellantis’ transformation to a sustainable mobility tech company.” As part of the Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan Stellantis announced plans to have global annual battery electric vehicle sales of five million vehicles by 2030 reaching 100% of passenger car BEV sales mix in Europe and 50% passenger cars and light-duty trucks in the United States Stellantis also increased planned battery capacity by 140 GWh to approximately 400 GWh to be supported by five gigafactories together with additional supply contracts Automotive Cells Company was founded by Stellantis and TotalEnergies/Saft in August 2020 The closing is subject to customary closing conditions (NYSE / MTA / Euronext Paris: STLA) is one of the world’s leading automakers and a mobility provider Its storied and iconic brands embody the passion of their visionary founders and today’s customers in their innovative products and services we lead the way the world moves – aspiring to become the greatest sustainable mobility tech company while creating added value for all stakeholders as well as the communities in which it operates This communication contains forward-looking statements statements regarding future events and anticipated results of operations the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction the anticipated closing date for the proposed transaction and other anticipated aspects of our operations or operating results are forward-looking statements These statements may include terms such as “may” Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance they are based on Stellantis’ current state of knowledge future expectations and projections about future events and are by their nature subject to inherent risks and uncertainties They relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur or exist in the future and undue reliance should not be placed on them Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors including: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic the ability of Stellantis to launch new products successfully and to maintain vehicle shipment volumes; changes in the global financial markets general economic environment and changes in demand for automotive products which is subject to cyclicality; changes in local economic and political conditions changes in trade policy and the imposition of global and regional tariffs or tariffs targeted to the automotive industry the enactment of tax reforms or other changes in tax laws and regulations; Stellantis’ ability to expand certain of their brands globally; its ability to offer innovative attractive products; its ability to develop manufacture and sell vehicles with advanced features including enhanced electrification connectivity and autonomous-driving characteristics; various types of claims governmental investigations and other contingencies including product liability and warranty claims and environmental claims investigations and lawsuits; material operating expenditures in relation to compliance with environmental health and safety regulations; the intense level of competition in the automotive industry which may increase due to consolidation; exposure to shortfalls in the funding of Stellantis’ defined benefit pension plans; the ability to provide or arrange for access to adequate financing for dealers and retail customers and associated risks related to the establishment and operations of financial services companies; the ability to access funding to execute Stellantis’ business plans and improve its businesses financial condition and results of operations; a significant malfunction disruption or security breach compromising information technology systems or the electronic control systems contained in Stellantis’ vehicles; Stellantis’ ability to realize anticipated benefits from joint venture arrangements; disruptions arising from political social and economic instability; risks associated with our relationships with employees disruptions of supply or shortages of raw materials components and systems used in Stellantis’ vehicles; developments in labor and industrial relations and developments in applicable labor laws; exchange rate fluctuations credit risk and other market risks; political and civil unrest; earthquakes or other disasters; and other risks and uncertainties Any forward-looking statements contained in this communication speak only as of the date of this document and Stellantis disclaims any obligation to update or revise publicly forward-looking statements Further information concerning Stellantis and its businesses including factors that could materially affect Stellantis’ financial results is included in Stellantis’ reports and filings with the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission and AFM Salvatore Arancio ’s solo exhibition entitled Bruno’s House will be articulated in the rooms of MACTE - Museum of Contemporary Art in Termoli curated by Caterina Riva with Marta Federici some of which have entered the museum’s collection thanks to the PAC Plan for Contemporary Art: a video a soundscape and some sculptures that recompose an imaginative journey among the architecture and presences of the Swiss park pleasure and experimentation of Art in its most varied forms Bruno’s House unfolds in a series of enveloping environments from the central rotunda and side rooms to the MACTE garden where the permanent sculpture Voyager put in place by the artist in September 2023 is installed.Arancio’s practice elaborates a phantasmagorical and marvelous universe that leaves the audience’s imagination free to associate shapes and colors On display are a series of sculptures of overflowing proportions and dimensions with sinuous and organic forms that refer to fragments of metamorphic bodies between vegetable generate a vertigo of iridescent reflections and colors in contrast to the raw material of the bricks that support them with an original soundtrack commissioned from British musician Robin Rimbaud/Scanner offers a jarring montage of lysergic images shot by Arancio among the kaleidoscopic architecture of Bruno Weber Park accompanied by sound that introduces a dark sense of unease shifting the visual narrative out of linear time Salvatore Arancio’s Bruno’s House project won the public notice PAC2021 - Plan for Contemporary Art promoted by the General Directorate for Contemporary Creativity of the Ministry of Culture The sculptures were made by Salvatore Arancio at different times and included periods of work in Band in Hungary and Italy Arancio’s solo exhibition is accompanied by a selection of works from the permanent collection Malangatana Valente Ngwenya ’s triptych and Nedda Guidi’s sculpture artists also present this year at the Venice Biennale as well as works by Bruna Esposito and Chiara Enzo winners of the 2021 and 2023 editions of the Termoli Prize The exhibition’s public program includes two special invitations to artists Marco Lampis and Francesca Anfossi: starting in July an audio guide to Arancio’s exhibition designed and developed by Marco Lampis for the blind public will be available on the museum’s website; in the second half of September Francesca Anfossi will lead a workshop with bread open to adults and children created in collaboration with the Istituto Alberghiero di Termoli Every aspect of his practice intersects their origins and representations: whether natural and artificial His works have been exhibited in international institutions and festivals including: La Biennale di Venezia (2017); MO.CO L’Aquila (2021); Museo del Novecento Buenos Aires (2016); BI-CITY Biennale of Urbanism/Architecture Canada (2010); Prague Biennale 4 (2009); Whitechapel Gallery Pope Francis has sent a video message to the Church in Termoli in the southern Italian region of Molise the statue of Our Lady of Fatima will be visiting the Parish of San Timoteo in the Diocese of Termoli-Larino the Holy Father spoke in a very cordial way to the people of Termoli encouraging them to “open the door to Our Lady.” Pope Francis described how Mary “is very polite The Holy Father warned  believers to be careful about putting off the visit: “Not today but tomorrow.” He urged them to respond: “Come in Mother: You know better than I do the things I've done He points out that Our Lady is “coming now Pope Francis concluded his message by conveying the Lord’s blessing and asking the people to pray for him Thank you for reading our article. 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