Image source: studiolegalebonafede.it
On July 16, 2025, the Business Specialized Division of the Turin Court of Appeal issued a landmark ruling confirming the admissibility of six consolidated collective actions – both class and representative – filed against Stellantis, Groupe PSA Italia, and Automobiles Citroën. The decision, published on the court’s docket, fully rejects the companies’ appeal and upholds the Turin Court’s earlier ruling issued on April 14, 2025.
The proceedings were initiated by individual consumers, including Carlo Regina, and several of Italy’s most prominent consumer protection organisations: Altroconsumo, Movimento Consumatori, Codacons, Adusbef, Adiconsum, U.Di.Con., and the Association of Users of Radio and Television Services. The actions focus on the allegedly omitted, delayed, and inadequate management of a recall campaign involving defective Takata airbags installed in Citroën C3 and DS3 vehicles registered between 2009 and 2019.
Legal Counsel Involved
• Altroconsumo is represented by a legal team including Alfonso Bonafede, Fabio De Dominicis, and Paolo Maresca (Studio Legale Bonafede), along with Alberto Gava and Lorenzo Pacella (Prestige Legal & Advisory).
• Movimento Consumatori is advised by lawyers Paolo Mario Silvio Fiorio, Corrado Pinna, and Giulia Tosatto.
• Codacons, Adusbef, and the Association of Users of Radio and Television Services are represented by Tiziana Sorriento, Giuseppe Sbriglio, Antonio Tanza, Carlo Rienzi, Gino Giuliano, and Marco Ramadori.
• U.Di.Con. is assisted by Giuseppe Sorrentino, while Adiconsum is represented by Nicola Cera, Carlo Battistella, and Sandra Antico.
The defendant companies—Stellantis, Groupe PSA Italia, and Automobiles Citroën—are represented by Hogan Lovells, with a team led by partner Christian Di Mauro, supported by Paolo Lani and Elisa Rossi. Additional representation was provided by Rucellai & Raffaelli, including Enrico Adriano Raffaelli, Elisabetta Teti, Michele Franzosi, Alessandro Raffaelli, and Michela Dall’Angelo.
Key Points of the Judgment
The Court dismissed all five grounds of appeal raised by the defendants, affirming the procedural legitimacy of combining class actions under Article 840-bis of the Italian Code of Civil Procedure with representative actions under Article 140-ter of the Consumer Code within the same procedural framework. The Court emphasized principles of objective connection, procedural efficiency, and systemic coherence.
The judges determined that the alleged misconduct—ranging from delayed risk communication to inadequate execution of the recall campaign—fall within the scope of the collective action laws, for they constitute autonomous and ongoing violations capable of substantiating the admissibility of the actions.
Broader Legal Impact
This ruling marks a significant step forward for Italy’s collective redress framework. It represents the first coordinated use of class and representative actions in the country, reinforcing their role as effective mechanisms for protecting consumer rights in cases of mass harm.
The Turin Court of Appeal’s decision contributes to the strengthening of Italy’s domestic legal system and positions the country as a growing hub for complex and cross-border class actions within the European legal landscape.
The first hearing on the merits is scheduled to take place on November 21, 2025, before the Court of Turin.
