Fiat heralds Naples plant as best in system

[December 14, 2011]  NAPLES, Italy (AP) -- Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne is heralding a modernized car plant south of Naples as the best in the Fiat-Chrysler system.

He says the Pomigliano plant is the first in Italy to approve more flexible work rules -- which will be extended to the rest of Fiat's Italian plants under a new deal signed Tuesday with unions -- and the first to get fresh investments.

Marchionne has made future investments in Italy contingent on the new work rules. But he told a reporters Wednesday that future investments won't be publicized until the time is right.

Marchionne had pledged to invest euro20 billion ($26 billion) in Italy in 2010-2104, but he stopped referring to the figure after being asked to elaborate by Italy's stock market regulator.

[Associated Press; By COLLEEN BARRY]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.