The «multi-brand» auto giant is expected to start producing «green» cars on the STLA Small platform as early as 2025.
The auto giant Stellantis is relatively young: it was formed in early 2021 as a result of the merger of the Italian-American concern Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the French group PSA (now the “old” names are not used). The multi-brand auto giant includes Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram and Vauxhall. Previously, it was assumed that not everyone would “survive” after the merger, but Stellantis decided not to retire any of the brands.
In the photo: the current Opel Corsa
The CEO of Stellantis is Carlos Tavares (formerly head of PSA). It is worth noting that the top manager is often critical of electric vehicles, as well as the environmental policy of the EU. According to him, the EU strategy, which involves a full transition to electric vehicles after 2035, carries great environmental, economic and social risks. By the way, quite recently Germany and Italy spoke out against a complete ban on internal combustion engines.
However, despite the position of Carlos Tavares, Stellantis continues to follow the path of large-scale «greening». According to the strategy, declassified in the summer of 2021, the company uses four modular platforms focused on electric vehicles for its new products. We are talking about the «trolleys» STLA Small (maximum power reserve on a single charge — up to 500 km), STLA Medium (up to 700 km), STLA Large (up to 800 km) and STLA Frame (also up to 800 km).
Now the Spanish publication Cinco Dias, citing its own source in the auto giant, reports that Stellantis is in talks with the Spanish federal government to establish local production of new cars on the STLA Small platform. According to the speaker, no decision has been made so far, a number of resolved issues remain, but the dialogue continues. If an agreement is reached, the novelties will probably be on the conveyor in 2025.
By the way, a year earlier, Carlos Tavares noted that he was not in discussions with the Spanish government about plans to organize local production of new electric vehicles. So either at that time the head of Stellantis decided not to disclose the intentions of the corporation, or over the past year the plans had changed significantly.
In the photo: the current Peugeot e-208 GT
It is assumed that Stellaantis may begin production of cars on the STLA «trolley» in Spain, since the factories operating in the country are already producing the Opel Corsa compact and the all-electric Peugeot e-208 model. It should be noted that there are no cars on the STLA Large platform in the list of “candidates”, since earlier Stellantis confirmed that their production will be launched at the plant in Cassino (Italy), models of the Alfa Romeo and Maserati brands are now produced here.
It is possible that the auto giant will also build its own battery plant in Spain, said Uwe Hochgeschutz, COO of Stellantis in Europe. The timing of the launch of a potential enterprise has not yet been announced. It should be noted that now the Spanish factories of the auto giant are receiving battery packs assembled at sites in Vigo and Zaragoza from elements that are supplied from Asia.