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Transport & Mobility – FCA

FCA

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles:
excellence through sustainable innovation

 

Sergio Marchionne
Sergio Marchionne

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is a global automotive group that designs, engineers, manufactures and sells vehicles, as well as provides automotive services, parts and accessories worldwide. The Group operates in approximately 40 countries and has commercial relationships with customers in more than 140 countries. In 2016, the Group was recognized for another successive year as one of the most sustainable companies in the world by internationally-recognized rating agencies.

FCA will provide the Italian G7 Presidency with a fleet of about 100 vehicles, including electric and natural gas powered vehicles.

There can be little doubt about the numerous challenges and opportunities that technology brings to industry and society. All around us we see many examples of the impact technology has on our decision-making processes as well as of the disruptive role it is poised to play in the near future.

For the automotive industry, technology is driving change at a speed never seen before. Along with the challenges, it is also opening up new horizons in terms of performance capabilities and a revolution in how we think about collaboration.
As innovation pushes us forward, however, we are also facing the need for an urgent and collaborative effort in combatting climate change. Together with other sectors, the automotive industry is being called upon to help stabilize the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and to take an active role in the research and development of solutions for more sustainable mobility.

FCA believes that an effective, long-lasting solution to climate change can only be achieved through the combined efforts of governments, energy producers, manufacturers, academia, the financial community and consumers.
As a global organization, FCA has already established long-term targets aimed at reducing our environmental footprint in areas where we can have the greatest direct impact, such as our production processes, our products and our supply chain. These targets for environmental sustainability, which address both local and global requirements, are also aligned with the inspirational principles that drive the UN Sustainable Development Goals initiative.

Driving achievement of those targets is the concrete, shared commitment of some 300,000 people who work for FCA around the world. Behind every one of our plants and locations are the stories of men and women who – regardless of their role within the organization – contribute to the continuous improvement of our production processes and the innovative and sustainable technologies that go into our products.

“FCA believes that an effective, long-lasting solution to climate change can only be achieved through the combined efforts of governments, energy producers, manufacturers, academia, the financial community and consumers
As the history, the transformation and the achievements of each of our plants demonstrate, central to our operating philosophy and culture is a focus on reducing the environmental impact of production processes – including elimination of waste, adoption of efficient technologies and direct involvement of employees to seek innovation opportunities – as well as an integrated approach to the development and delivery of sustainable mobility solutions.

While we are defined by what we do, we also believe that how we do it is equally important.  Our approach to achieving profitable growth includes expanding our business globally while always remaining mindful of how our actions affect the world in which we operate. This commitment to playing a positive role is fundamental to the character of our Group. It reflects our core belief that achieving sustainable economic results requires a balanced approach that also contributes to the environment and society as a whole.  We believe that sustainable innovation represents a source of shared value for society at large when it is participatory, responsible and inspired by the values of integrity and trust.
Sergio Marchionne
Chief Executive Officer, FCA

Italy, a centre of excellence 

Italy is home to more than 26 per cent of FCA’s global workforce, making it the country with our second largest presence. The plants in Cassino, Melfi, Pomigliano, Grugliasco and Mirafiori (Turin area) are the largest in Italy. All of these plants have also achieved Bronze, Silver or Gold level recognition under the World Class Manufacturing (WCM) programme, which embodies the operating principles that define our approach to efficiency and the environment. They are concrete examples of how, at FCA, the fourth technological revolution is already taking place.

“As we develop our global activities, we continue to invest in Italy – a centre of excellence in design, innovation, production and many other areas of strategic importance to the Group”

Areas of excellence developed in Italy that have been successfully exported to other regions include:

  • – know-how as pioneer in the development of natural gas for sustainable mobility
  • – the WCM methodology first introduced and adapted to the FCA business model in Italy.

 

Fiat 500X and Jeep Renegade: the Small SUV and Crossover designed for worldwide customers

Cassino, a World Class Sustainable Plant

In 2016, the Cassino plant began the production of the first of an entirely new generation of Alfa Romeos – the Alfa Romeo Giulia – for export to markets around the world. Through a process of continuous improvement, over its history the plant has always been a model of innovation and efficiency and it was one of the first car assembly plants in the world to adopt state-of-the-art automated processes. The transformation completed in 2016, however, is the most radical yet. Both plant and operating model were revolutionized to prepare Cassino for the production of a premium product. The plant has been designated as a World Class Sustainable Plant because of its advanced technologies and solutions which ensure the highest standards in efficiency and ergonomics and also make Cassino a premium eco-performer.  With zero waste-to-landfill since 2000, the plant also has a zero-carbon footprint and a project is underway to make it fully water self-sufficient. Process excellence is also delivering premium product quality as demonstrated by the Alfa Romeo Giulia’s multiple awards, including EuroCarBody 2016.

Melfi, showcase for the fourth industrial revolution

The FCA plant in Melfi currently produces the new Fiat 500X and Jeep Renegade, which represent the Group’s entry into the rapidly-expanding Small SUV and Crossover segments. The extensive adoption of WCM standards, progressive digitalization of processes, strong commitment to sustainable innovation and direct participation of employees in the pursuit of excellence have all led to the successful adoption of a lean, smart and digital operating model. Today, the plant boasts a well-integrated and highly-organized production system with maximum flexibility for adaptation and improvements. That production system, based on key concepts such as placing humans at the centre of the process, makes Melfi one of FCA’s most sustainable, lean and smart production sites. The plant was recently recognized for performance and innovation with the “SMART Digital Operations” OEM Special Award for which it was selected from among OEM plants operating in countries across Europe.

Fiat Panda. Manufactured at Pomigliano plant, Italy

 

Pomigliano: birthplace of more than 300,000 natural gas Fiat Pandas

The Pomigliano plant, where the Italian production of the iconic Fiat Panda recommenced in 2011, is another example of best practice at FCA. Awarded WCM Gold level in 2013, in February this year the plant also marked another major milestone: production of the 300,000th natural gas Fiat Panda.
Natural gas is one of today’s best solutions for reducing urban pollution and CO2 emissions levels:

  • – it generates 23 per cent less CO2 emissions than gasoline;
  • – it produces essentially zero particulate emissions;
  • – in the form of biomethane, it represents a renewable fuel source;
  • – it is a viable alternative to traditional fuels and one of the most economical.

 
As a pioneer in the natural gas vehicle market, FCA is a long-standing promoter of sustainable mobility and has helped protect the planet through avoidance of roughly one million tons of CO2 emissions.
The natural gas Fiat Panda has also been the best seller in its segment in Europe since 2007.
Named Best Green Engine of the Year in 2013, the Fiat natural gas two-cylinder TwinAir Turbo engine remains the only alternative fuel engine to have received this award.

FCA continues to invest significantly in solutions that promote the use of alternative fuels, from natural gas to renewable biofuels. FCA is collaborating with leading energy players to expand the number of natural gas refueling points throughout Europe and, in doing so, provides the public with a concrete and sustainable solution to help meet its mobility needs.

Turin manufacturing complex: the heart of a global rebirth of “Made in Italy”

In recent years, FCA’s manufacturing activities in and around Turin have benefited from significant investment related to renewed product plans aimed at the premium segment. In 2013, the Avvocato Giovanni Agnelli Plant (AGAP) near Turin – named after former Chairman and grandson of Fiat’s founder – began production of the all-new Maserati Ghibli and the latest generation of the Maserati Quattroporte. The Maserati brand has a long tradition as a maker of refined, elegant sports cars that exemplify the highest standards in Italian engineering and craftsmanship quality.

Maserati Ghibli, a design Italian masterpiece

Through an intensive change management process, the team at AGAP succeeded in integrating Maserati’s traditional principles of craftsmanship and attention to detail with a modern and technologically-advanced industrial approach. This radical improvement in processes has made a major contribution to Maserati’s renewed global success and positively impacted thousands of lives – employees and suppliers in particular.  As a result of FCA’s investment in the re-opening of the site, which formerly belonged to a supplier, around 1,100 existing employees were able to return to work.
The nearby Mirafiori complex has also been recently converted into a Premium plant for production of the Maserati Levante and is another example of how investing in process and product innovation generates a positive cascade effect benefiting our customers, employees and business partners.

About Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is a global automotive group that designs, engineers, manufactures and sells vehicles, as well as providing automotive services, parts and accessories worldwide. The Group operates in approximately 40 countries and has commercial relationships with customers in more than 140 countries. In 2016, the Group was recognized for another successive year as one of the most sustainable companies in the world by internationally recognized rating agencies.

FCA will provide the Italian G7 Presidency with a fleet of about 100 vehicles, including electric and natural gas powered vehicles.