ROME, Nov 20 Reuters Stellantis on Wednesday announced new temporary stoppages at two of its plants in southern Italy, while the Rome government called on the automaker to commit to new investments in the country.

In two separate statements, the company said it informed unions about a pause in production at the Termoli engine plant on Dec. 1622 and at the Cassino auto factory on the day of Nov. 29. During the stoppages, workers will be furloughed.

The automaker, whose Italian brands include Fiat and Alfa Romeo, said it was determined to ensure the continuity of its Italian operations, but noted it was facing a challenging path requiring difficult choices and offering no easy solutions.

Stellantis is facing industrywide challenges such as low demand for more expensive electric cars and competition from China. It is also grappling with bloated inventories that have led it to cut profit and cashflow forecasts.

In Italy, it has repeatedly paused production this year, including at its historic Mirafiori plant in Turin, but in talks last week with the government and unions, it pledged not to close factories in the country or make mass redundancies.

During those talks, the government asked Stellantis to present a new convincing and sustainable plan of investments for Italy by Dec. 16, Industry Minister Adolfo Urso said in a parliamentary question time session.

Stellantis was urged to clarify its intentions over a stalled batterymaking plant and commit to making in Italy a…