In a brief statement on 29 July, Iveco confirmed the recent rumours about a possible sale. It simply states that advanced and separate negotiations are underway for the disposal of its subsidiary Defence Vehicles and of the parent company. The statement does not mention any names, referring only to ongoing talks with “several parties”. Still, this confirmation is significant and, as often happens, some media outlets are already a step ahead, citing sources familiar with the matter.
Bloomberg reiterates what had been reported in previous days: that Leonardo is the chosen buyer for Defence Vehicles, while India’s Tata Motors is in line to acquire the industrial vehicles, buses and engines business. It even adds that an official announcement could come as early as Wednesday 30 July, coinciding with the release of Iveco’s financial results for the second quarter of 2025. These developments have driven Iveco’s share price up, pushing the company’s valuation to 5.6 billion euros.
The financial results for the first quarter of 2025 highlight the operational challenges that are pushing Exor towards a sale. Iveco reported consolidated revenues of 3.03 billion euros, down 10.1 percent compared to the first quarter of 2024. Adjusted EBIT fell to 152 million euros from 233 million the previous year, while net profit dropped sharply from 137 million to 38 million euros. In Europe, Iveco holds a 13 percent market share in the industrial vehicles sector, in a context of crisis for the entire industry.
In recent days, the minister for enterprises confirmed that the government is closely monitoring developments, stressing the strategic importance of Iveco for the Italian economy and its 14,000 employees in Italy out of a global workforce of 36,000. The minister has called a meeting with trade unions for 31 July 2025 to follow every development and, if necessary, prepare appropriate measures. The unions have expressed deep concern over the future of jobs and industry, describing it as “unacceptable to learn of Iveco’s sale through press leaks”. The Fiom-Cgil union accused the owners of “dismantling Italy’s automotive industry piece by piece through a plan of spin-offs, disposals and sales”.
