Stellantis and Israel Innovation Authority announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding

Torino – Jerusalem, April 7^th, 2021 – Stellantis, with its subsidiary FCA Italy S.p.A., and Israel Innovation Authority announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the aim to establish and enhance cooperation in technological innovation in order to help both Israeli entities and Stellantis benefit from each other’s capabilities, technology leadership, resources and worldwide presence.
The agreement is part of the Israel Innovation Authority’s R&D and Pilot Collaboration with Multinational Corporations (MNC) Program that offers a unique framework for technological cooperation between MNCs and innovative Israeli companies.
FCA Italy [“FCA”] is a wholly owned subsidiary of Stellantis N.V., one of the world’s leading automakers that designs, develops, manufactures, distributes, and sells vehicles and mobility solutions around the world and also a mobility provider guided by a clear vision to offer freedom of movement with distinctive, affordable and reliable mobility solutions.
The Israel Innovation Authority is responsible for Israel’s innovation policy, is an independent and impartial public entity that operates for the benefit of the Israeli innovation ecosystem and Israeli economy as a whole.  Its role is to nurture and develop Israeli innovation resources, while creating and strengthening the infrastructure and framework needed to support the entire knowledge industry. The Israel Innovation Authority provides a variety of practical tools and funding platforms aimed at addressing e dynamic and changing needs of the local and international innovation ecosystems.

The agreement for industrial cooperation between Israeli technology companies and Stellantis was signed by Dr. Ami Applebaum, Chairperson of the Israel Innovation Authority, and Roberto Di Stefano, e-Mobility at Stellantis, with the aim to create a framework for the provisions of assistance for jointly approved cooperation projects in innovation between Israeli entities and Stellantis.
As part of the agreement, the Israel Innovation Authority, together with Israel’s economic mission to Italy, will support Stellantis in identifying technological developments that fall within its sphere of activity. If the Group is interested in seeking further development of such technologies, the Israel Innovation Authority will provide funding for the Israeli startups, while Stellantis will support the startups’ R&D, marketing and other global activities.
The agreement is part of the Israel Innovation Authority’s Collaborative Framework with Multinational Corporations Program, which began in 2005. Among the corporations that have already signed such collaborative agreements with the Authority: Intel, Audi, Adler Pelzer, Abbot, Unilever, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Panasonic, Philips, Nielsen, Fujitsu, Renault and many others.
According to the agreement, the Innovation Authority helps multinationals pinpoint Israeli technologies that address the corporation’s specific needs, providing financial support for research and development. The multinational matches those funds – whether through investment, lending personnel or R&D equipment, or by providing consultation on regulatory, technological or marketing strategy – aiding the Israeli company and opening opportunities in markets abroad.

FCA Italy S.p.A. who formally signed the agreement, is a key subsidiary of Stellantis N.V., a global company of 400,000 employees and with a rich heritage stretching back 125 years, home to a full portfolio of storied and iconic automotive brands (Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Fiat, Ram, Opel, Peugeot, Citroën among them) that have graced the road and conquered the podium in the world of motorsport as well as innovative mobility brands. The Group has a well-established presence with robust operating margins in three regions – Europe, North America and Latin America – in addition to significant untapped potential in important markets such as China, Africa, the Middle East, Oceania and India. With industrial operations in more than 30 countries, the Company has the ability to efficiently meet and exceed consumer expectations and deliver vehicles and services of unparalleled quality in more than 130 markets. Stellantis’ portfolio is uniquely suited to offer distinctive, sustainable mobility solutions to meet its customers’ evolving needs, as they embrace electrification, connectivity, autonomous driving and shared ownership.
The Group is a world leader for this new era of mobility dedicated to providing freedom of movement with distinctive, affordable and efficient transportation solutions uniquely positioned to capture the opportunities of a global industry undergoing rapid and profound change and offering innovative solutions that will help change the way society moves.
The Group through its e-Mobility Department has been working for over two years to build an ecosystem made of products and services with best-in-class partners to make the transition towards electric mobility for its customers seamless and smoother with emphasis on sustainability and protecting the environment. In light of the Group’s vision to continuously expand the boundaries of technology innovation, Stellantis has focused on startup-oriented investments and has discovered the benefits of Israeli technology and the many innovative developments Israeli companies offer in this field.  To bolster the agreement, the Group already identified areas for the initial potential collaborations that will be focused on driving assistance, cybersecurity and industry 4.0 and has been scouting more than 30 startups for over a year. A number of proves of concepts – all confidential for now in this ramp-up phase – are already ongoing.

“Smart mobility is among the fastest growing fields in the world, and there’s no doubt that this agreement between Stellantis and the Israel Innovation Authority is a vote of confidence in the Israeli startup ecosystem, and further proof that in the new world of automotive – so tied to innovation and technology – Israel is a key player,” said Dr. Ami Appelbaum, Chairman of the Israel Innovation Authority and Chief Scientist at the Ministry of Economy and Industry. “Collaboration between a global company like Stellantis and Israeli companies will lead to the development of new technologies and innovations in a variety of fields,” he continued. “Stellantis is eager to learn from the scientific and technological innovations that exist in Israel. Our cooperation will contribute greatly to Israel and to Israeli R&D. This agreement is a testament to Israel’s role at the forefront of innovation, which is drawing international attention in many leading fields”.

Jonathan Hadar, Head of Israel’s economic mission to Italy added: “This agreement is an excellent example of how Israel is becoming part of the industrial development and digital transformation taking place in Italy these days in all sectors and in particular in the car industry.”

“For a global Company like ours – explained Roberto Di Stefano, e-Mobility at Stellantis – it is essential to pay attention to the ideas generated in startups, and provide resources to support their ability to propose innovative technologies aimed at a more sustainable future. Since its birth a couple of years ago, the e-Mobility team has always been very attentive to the proposals of these new innovative entities and looked with increasing interest at the opportunities they offer as well as the possibility of stimulating future partnerships. This agreement will enable our Group to accelerate a unique model of collaboration with Israeli startups and an exclusive partnership with the Israel Innovation Authority”.

“This memorandum of understanding is the formalization of the current, fruitful relationships with the Israeli ecosystem, and is an additional leverage to support collaborative projects with the Israeli startups selected at FCA Research Center (CRF) in several Advanced Technologies areas such as Driving Assistance, Cybersecurity, Industry 4.0” added Roberto Fedeli, CEO of CRF.

About Stellantis

Stellantis is one of the world’s leading automakers and a mobility provider, guided by a clear vision: to offer freedom of movement with distinctive, affordable and reliable mobility solutions. In addition to the Group’s rich heritage and broad geographic presence, its greatest strengths lie in its sustainable performance, depth of experience and the wide-ranging talents of employees working around the globe. Stellantis will leverage its broad and iconic brand portfolio, which was founded by visionaries who infused the marques with passion and a competitive spirit that speaks to employees and customers alike. Stellantis aspires to become the greatest, not the biggest while creating added value for all stakeholders as well as the communities in which it operates.
For further information, go to www.stellantis.com
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About Israel Innovation Authority

The Israel Innovation Authority, responsible for the country’s innovation policy, is an independent and impartial public entity that operates for the benefit of the Israeli innovation ecosystem and Israeli economy as a whole.
Its role is to nurture and develop Israeli innovation resources, while creating and strengthening the infrastructure and framework needed to support the entire knowledge industry.
The Israel Innovation Authority provides a variety of practical tools and funding platforms aimed at addressing the dynamic and changing needs of the local and international innovation ecosystems.
For more information, visit our site www.innovationisrael.org.il/en

About Israel’s economic mission to Italy

Israel’s economic mission to Italy is part of a network of 45 offices of Israel’s ministry of economy and industry around the world, aimed at supporting and developing economic and business relations between Israel and Italy.
The role of the office includes finding partners and scouting for individual companies both in Italy and in Israel as well as building economic platforms both on sectorial and national governmental levels.
For more information, visit our site http://www.israeltrade.it/

For additional information

Stellantis Corporate and Institutional Communications
Claudio D’Amico, +39 334 7107828, claudio.damico@stellantis.com

Stellantis e-Mobility Communication
Marco Belletti, +39 334 6004837, marco.belletti@stellantis.com

Israel Innovation Authority’s media contact
Hagit Sela-Lidor (International Marketing & Communications Manager, Israel Innovation Authority)
+972-50-5362288, hagits@innovationisrael.org.il