Abstract

The events that marked the evolution of the crisis of FIAT auto during the last two years renewed the debate on the possible interventions of industrial policy; the more discussed topics were the social effects of the crisis (temporary lay-off, labour mobility, shut-down of Termini Imerese, reappraisal of Mirafiori), the opportunity, or not, of a direct intervention on behalf of the State into FIAT, the necessity to stimulate the research of new technologies in the industry. On the other hand, there was much less debate on both the consequences of the FIAT crisis on the suppliers, and the possible interventions of industrial policy towards those kinds of firms, which will have, besides, a more regional than national dimension. Starting from this point of view, our work will offer firstly a short overview of the national and European legal framework into which to locate possible industrial policy's interventions. However, the main point of this essay is focused on the firms producing components linked to FIAT Auto, in particular the ones localised in Piedmont, the region most affected by the FIAT crisis but also a real and proper car district. For those companies we propose industrial policy measures carried out at regional level, in particular the creation of an Agency for the development of the car industry district.