“We are investigating the construction at the same location, in Slatina, of a new production unit, identical to the one we have already built.  We are now in the process of evaluating the opportunities, and believe that we will begin construction this spring and finalize in 2010,” said Malerba.

Pirelli is present on the Romanian market with a tire factory, which will require an investment worth €170 mln by the end of the year, a metal cord factory, to cost €30 mln, and a diesel engine filter factory, which will require an investment of €25 mln. The latter two units are not yet operational.