Unfair? Italian Government Considering Tax Rebates On Every Car Exported From Italy

Italy's government is considering tax rebates for export goods to help Fiat SpA with its strategy of building cars in the country to sell in North America, three people familiar with the matter said.

The measure has been discussed in government-sponsored talks on productivity between labor unions and employers lobbying groups, said the people, who asked not to be identified because decisions are not yet final. Rebates would be aimed at boosting productivity in the country and would be applied to all export goods, not just automobiles, according to the people.

PLAY - 10/24/2012 6:38:01 PM

+2 Boost

Boo Hoo! Every other country in the world that produces automobiles has government benefits for its auto industry. Tariffs, low interest financing, grants, tax benefits, bailouts,etc. Japan, China, Germany, USA, France, Italy, South Korea, etc. They all subsidize their automobile industries in one way or another. It is the price a country pays for the jobs, economic output, manufacturing base, technology, etc.

mini22 - 10/26/2012 5:54:06 PM

+1 Boost

I think it is perfectly fair. The US government bailed out Chrysler and GM.Interesting though that Romney was accusing Chrysler of moving ALL Jeep production to China. Getting back to Italy it would not be ALL Jeep production. Rather it would be Fiat based platforms sold as Jeeps.So I don't take issue with it. Frankly Fiat needs to survive since it owns Chrysler.