fuel reduction immediately ”
“Cost are soaring. And we feel abandoned. Between the rising gasoline and the increase in costs which is at least 30% we are in the perfect storm. Other than economic recovery. We only see the recovery of costs ”.
Patrizio Righi, president of Fnaarc Siena, the Federation of commercial agents that adheres to Confcommercio, starts from here. “We need more attention for our category which often works in silence but creates and gives jobs”. In Italy there are 225 thousand agents. In Tuscany 19 thousand. Their office is the car with an annual average of over 60,000 kilometers. The increase in fuel prices that is combined with the general soaring costs is not sustainable and significantly reduces the margins of professionals.
“Before the increase I used to fill up with 65 euros now with 103 euros, an increase of over 50%. Just to increase trade – it is the increased alarm Righi – Improved and not improved polka dots, eating out means spending money. However, we have no tax compared to what margins to download and we do not have the possibility to increase our margins. So it’s a disaster. Those who then bought methane vehicles now have higher costs than diesel “.
In fact, methane increased from € 0.9 per cubic meter to € 2.6. An increase impossible to sustain. Meanwhile, the real recovery is far away. “We are still very far from the pre-pandemic levels of 2019 – points out Righi – Nominal revenues rise, but it is a fictitious growth derived from releases. In reality, the margins are decreasing and not a little “.
Also noteworthy are the difficulties of companies that are unable to procure raw materials with a consequent enormous delay in deliveries. “The shortage of raw materials and the continuous increases in price lists – observes Righi – cause enormous inconvenience to those who are on the” battlefield “to sell”.
What to do? Righi is very clear. “Concrete interventions are needed immediately – asks the president – The cost of fuel must also be reduced by acting on excise duties. It is essential to calm the costs associated with mobility. Furthermore, if the parameters have been updated, the current roof may not allow us to carry out our fiscal needs: from most of the safety of the car, to the new green technologies. In addition, every effort must be made to reduce the rates and the tax burden ”.
The agents and sales representatives in Italy are 225,000 professionals who, intermediary over 70% of the national GDP, are the engine of SMEs. “And it is good to remember – adds Righi – that we were among the categories most affected by the economic consequences of the”.