In Italy the FIAT group has agreed to sell its TORO insurance company to the DE AGOSTINI publishing house for EUR 2.4 bn. This sale will allow FIAT to reduce its debt of EUR 1.4 bn. TORO is the fourth largest insurance company in Italy with a staff of 3000 and around EUR 5.2 bn in consolidated premiums and an operating income of EUR 147 millions in 2002.