Italy's government is considering taking control of the defunct auto brands Innocenti and Autobianchi, currently owned by Stellantis, and offering them to Chinese companies to encourage setting up factories in Italy, as reported by Il Sole 24 Ore on Friday.

Innocenti, known in the 1960s and 1970s for producing an Italian version of the British Mini, and Autobianchi, which produced upscale city cars like the A112 and Y10, were both shut down in the 1990s. The Italian industry minister has registered new versions of these brands at the national patents and brands office, with graphics that are different from those registered by Stellantis.

According to Il Sole, the government's move could be facilitated by a law passed in December, along with a draft implementing decree currently under examination by the Court of Auditors, which allows the appropriation of brands unused for at least five years. Once under government control, these brands could be offered to companies, including foreign ones, willing to invest or relocate manufacturing activities to Italy.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's nationalist government has had ongoing disputes with Stellantis, accusing the automaker of neglecting its historical production sites in Italy. The government is in discussions with Stellantis to increase Italian production to 1 million vehicles annually and aims to attract a Chinese automaker to expand the domestic industry.

Fiat, now part of Stellantis, unveiled its Serbian-made Panda model and celebrated its 125th anniversary at its historic headquarters in Turin. Industry Minister Adolfo Urso, who attended the event, reiterated the government's call for Stellantis to revitalize its manufacturing activities in Italy. Stellantis has acknowledged the media reports but stated that it has not been informed by the government about any such plans.