Italy asks for Fiat's game plan

Italy's Industry Minister Corrado Passera said Monday that he asked automobile company Fiat to explain its plans, considering the economic slowdown. In July, car sales in Italy fell 20 percent compared to July 2011. As it is Italy's largest automaker, union workers, politicians and others are eager to hear clear plans Fiat might have while sales are at a 33-year low, ANSA reported Monday. "We hope that in the next weeks the company provides us and the country with an explanation of their plans," Passera said at the annual meeting of the Communione e Liberazione in Remini, Italy. Passera was asked if the government planned to meet with company officials to discuss the economic situation. "It's not a question of meetings. (But) we need to follow the matter and to understand," he said.