ROME (AP) -- Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne says Fiat would be better off without Italy, provoking an angry reaction from unions.
Fiat has recently raised its 2010 forcatsts, and Marchionne notes that trading profit would be at least 2 billion. He says that "not one euro ... comes from Italy."
He said during a TV show Sunday night that without Italy Fiat "could do more." He cites poor labor efficiency and lack of competitiveness.
Guglielmo Epifani of the CGIL, Italy's largest union, was quoted is saying Monday that "Marchionne is very skeptical over the future of Fiat in Italy" and that "the truth is Marchionne wants to leave Italy."
Rocco Palombella of the metalworkers union Uilm urges Marchionne "to stop humiliating workers."
Marchionne also runs Chrysler LCC.