Institutions, associations and political parties 

The integrity of lobbying practices and other ethical issues within the Group (excluding Chrysler Group that has a different monitoring system) is monitored through audits performed by the Fiat S.p.A. Audit & Compliance department. Standard audits seek to verify compliance with the Code of Conduct, including aspects and resources that could possibly be linked to lobbying activities. The results of these activities are reported to the Compliance Officer, Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors.
Registered in the previous EU Commission Transparency Register since its establishment in 2008, Fiat S.p.A. confirmed its registration in 2011 in the new EU Commission and European Parliament Joint Transparency Register for organizations and self-employed individuals engaged in EU policy-making and policy implementation. The purpose of the register is to ensure that lobbying practices are transparent and legally compliant as well as consistent with ethical principles, so as to prevent undue pressure and illegitimate or privileged access to information or to decision makers.

Dialogue with associations focuses on issues of an economic nature, such as those related to growth, development and company performance; environmental issues linked to sustainable mobility; labor policies (flexibility, training, pension systems); and specific needs associated with Fiat Group products, manufacturing and commercial activities (technical, trade and tax regulation).

In particular, consistent with the Fiat S.p.A. Code of Conduct and Chrysler Group Integrity Code, the Group aims to contribute positively to the future development of regulations and standards in the automotive industry and in all other sectors related to the mobility of people and goods.
In Europe, the Group belongs to trade associations such as the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) for passenger cars and commercial vehicles, as well as working groups such as the European Round Table (ERT) for industrial leaders. Through ACEA, which interfaces on a regular basis with the major European institutions, Fiat S.p.A. has contributed to the definition of regulations and directives on CO₂ emissions, technical car standards and international transport and trade policies, in an effort to ensure that regulations are balanced and sustainable for automakers and EU member states.

In North America, the Group works with several industry organizations. As a founding member, Chrysler Group has a long history of working with the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) and supporting critical projects. This cooperative forum for the auto industry is focused on improving business processes and practices involving trading partners and peers throughout the supply chain. Projects in corporate responsibility, supply chain management and quality allow both Chrysler Group and the industry to improve the quality and efficiency of daily work.
The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is the leading advocacy group for the US auto industry. The Alliance focuses on developing and implementing constructive solutions to public policy challenges that promote sustainable mobility and benefit society in the areas of environment, energy and motor vehicle safety. The organization provides Chrysler Group and the auto industry with a united voice on US federal and state regulatory and legislative matters.
In Brazil, Fiat has long been an active member of the Associação Nacional dos Fabricantes de Veículos Automotores (ANFAVEA). This nationwide association brings together the country’s automakers with the purpose of addressing industry and market issues affecting the automotive sector and coordinating and protecting the collective interests of the association’s members.

Automotive associations, however, are not the only organizations with which the Group collaborates. Fiat Group also has strong relationships with public entities, universities and other organizations through which it contributes to experimental activities or laboratory testing aimed at defining the content of specific legislation or regulations for promoting sustainable mobility. Lobbying activities on social issues in some countries, such as the US, are managed separately by Group companies which deal directly with institutions, government and trade unions. Chrysler Group has robust processes to ensure that the company conducts lobbying activities with respect to governmental authorities in the US in accordance with laws and applicable government ethics and disclosure rules.

In other countries, such dealings are carried out through the industrial and employers’ associations to which Group companies belong, such as the Bundesvereinigung der Deutschen Arbeitgeberverbände (BDA) in Germany and the Mouvement des Entreprises de France (MEDEF) in France. These associations act to protect the interests of their members and represent them in social dialogue, both at the national and local levels, with the key political and administrative institutions, trade unions and other social parties.

In Italy, Fiat S.p.A. has decided to withdraw its membership from Confindustria as of 2012 and negotiate its own labor contract. Through agreements forged directly with its social partners, Fiat Group will compete internationally on a more level footing with its competitors at a time of such particular difficulty for the world economy.
In addition, Business Europe – the confederation of European businesses which, through its 41 member federations from 35 countries, represents more than 20 million companies of all sizes – is a recognized partner that participates in social dialogue at the European Union level.

Any relationship between Fiat Group and political parties and their representatives or candidates is conducted according to the highest standards of transparency and integrity. Financial contributions by the Group are only allowed where permitted by law and must be authorized at the appropriate level within each Group company. In 2011, no contributions were made by Fiat Group to political parties.
Fiat Group does not have a Political Action Committee (PAC), but employees are free to make personal contributions to political candidates or parties, to the extent that these contributions do not violate corporate policy.
Any political association or financial contribution made by Group employees is considered personal and completely voluntary.