MILAN, April 8 (Reuters) - Stellantis' ( STLA )

Italian auto production dropped further in the first quarter

after output in the country fell to an almost 70-year low in

2024, the FIM Cisl union said on Tuesday, as new models will not

support activity before next year.

Vehicle production in the January-March period, comprising

passenger cars and vans was down 35.5% compared to a year

earlier to around 110,000 units, the union said in a quarterly

report.

Activity contracted in all the six assembly plants the

automaker runs in Italy, it added.

In Pomigliano, production fell 80% for the Dodge Hornet, at

1,356 units. The Hornet, one of the few models Stellantis ( STLA ) makes

in Europe for the North American market, is subject to tariffs

introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Output fell 45.5% at the Cassino facility in central Italy,

where the group produces some Alfa Romeo models which also sell

in the U.S., although in very limited numbers.

Stellantis ( STLA ) was not available for comment.

Fiat-owner Stellantis ( STLA ) in December presented to the Italian

government a plan to revitalise output in the country after

months of falling production due to soft European demand,

especially for electric vehicles, high prices, range renovation

and growing Chinese competition.

"New models will have an impact of some significance (on

output in Italy) only in 2026," FIM Cisl head Ferdinando Uliano

said.

The hybrid version of the small Fiat 500, one of the new

models expected to sell in large volumes, was due to start

production in November. Uliano added production of the new Alfa

Romeo Stelvio SUV was now expected to start in early 2026,

versus initial plans for end-2025.

($1 = 0.9159 euros)