Geely takes a 25% stake in Menarinibus (former Industria Italiana Autobus)

Geely takes a 25% stake in Menarini and will provide know-how for the development of 6 and 8-meter e-bus models.

Geely led Chinese new energy bus market in 2023 (thanks to small-sized vehicles), according to Interact Analysis, thanks to sales figures around 75,000 electrified trucks and buses.

The official announcement arrived on Wednesday 20th November, on the occasion of a meeting between Seri Industrial, owner of the former Industria Italiana Autobus, now Menarini, and the trade unions.

Reportedly, Geely, majority shareholder of Volvo brand, will also bring to Menarini the know-how for the design of new models, 6 and 8 metre minibuses and midibuses. The “Chinese partner” for Menarini will then not be the formerly mentioned CCIG.

Menarini with Geely

Under the relaunch plan, the design activities and spare parts centre will remain at the Bologna site, while the production hub will be in Flumeri (AV).

The Civitillo family, at the helm of Seri Industrial, according to local media reports, also illustrated to the trade union secretaries what would be the guidelines of the industrial plan to relaunch production. A production that in these months of uncertainty has gone on apace, but which is expected to produce 468 vehicles per year.

Italian bus manufacturer Industria Italiana Autobus (IIA), with plants in Bologna and Flumeri, is navigating a turbulent period following its acquisition by Seri Industrial in June 2024. The takeover has sparked concern among political leaders and labor unions, particularly after plans to shut down the Bologna plant emerged in August.

Industria Italiana Autobus, what a story!

A few steps back. Despite a quite good order book, the launch two years ago of the first electric 12-meter, the birth in Flumeri of the Industry 4.0 carbon free bus academy, the agreement with Nogebus (failed) to sell urban in Spain and Portugal, and the partnership with CaetanoBus for a hydrogen bus, Industria Italiana Autobus in the last few year has not been able to deliver vehicles. In June 2024, it was officially announced that Seri Industrial, led by Vittorio Civitillo, acquired a 98% stake in IIA, effectively becoming the principal owner of the company, that until then had been owned by state companies Invitalia (43%) and Leonardo (29%) with also Turkish OEM Karsan in the ownership structure with 28%.

And Seri Industrial has announced on the 16th of October a change in the company name of its subsidiary: IIA goes back to Menarini. Which is the name of the bus bodybuilder (founded in 1919) that originated the history of the company that in 2011 became Industria Italiana Autobus.