L’industria automobilistica europea e il caso italiano nella transizione in corso

he article analyses the transformation of the European automotive industry and the Italian case, interpreting it as a structural redefinition of the industrial division of labour. Three converging dynamics are reshaping the sector at European level: the integration of production in Central and Eastern Europe, the transition to electromobility and the rise of China. Against this backdrop, European manufacturers are suffering from strategic inertia and institu- tional fragmentation. Italy is seen as a country in transition from a central position to the semi-periphery: a sharp decline in vehicle production (-73% between 1990 and 2024), a loss of national control over strategic hubs with the internationalisation of Fca/Stellantis, and a lower R&D intensity compared to core countries. However, an internal dualism is emerging: whilst vehicle assembly is in deep crisis, the components sector is holding up relatively well, with more structured suppliers, focused on exports and innovation, demonstrating their ability to adapt. The conclusions highlight the need for a coordinated industrial policy at European, national and regional levels to manage the tran- sition without dispersing the existing production base.