Automotive News Europe — 2025-12-01
Automotive Industry
Production at Stellantis’ French factories is set to drop over the next three years, the Financial Times reported.
The number of units being produced at the company’s five assembly factories in France is predicted to fall by 11 percent between 2025 and 2028, the report said, citing trade union estimates based on company presentations.
Stellantis expects that production will fall at all five assembly factories over the next three years, meaning sales would dip to less than 590,000 in 2028, the FT said, citing union figures, adding that Stellantis’ French output is set to be lowest at its Poissy plant.
Earlier this year, the automaker temporarily halted production at the Poissy plant due to weak demand in Europe.
Stellantis has been hit harder than many other automakers by a slowdown in demand in France.
Through November, passenger car sales in France declined by 4.9 percent to 1.46 million units. Stellantis’ ten brands saw their volume down by 8 percent to 386,447 units.
Renault Group grew sales by 2.6 percent to 389,306 units in the same period, finishing marginally ahead of Stellantis, according to figures from French trade group PFA.
Since the creation of Stellantis, that in January 2021 merged the operations of PSA Group with Fiat Chrysler Automobile, Stellantis has been ahead of Renault Group in France.
While the company reported a 13 percent rise in third-quarter revenue, it flagged one-off charges from changes to its strategic and product plans under new CEO Antonio Filosa.
Filosa, who will present his business plan in the new year, has announced other moves, including booking billions of euros of pre-tax charges in the first half, bringing back popular models such as the Jeep Cherokee SUV, and refocusing on hybrid and gasoline vehicles.
Decision on Poissy’s future
Stellantis said a decision on whether to continue car production after 2028 at Poissy will be taken in the first half of 2026, but “the factory will not close,” the FT article said.
Unions welcomed the commitment but noted that jobs were at risk because no new vehicles were allocated for production at the site.
“It’s not a panacea. There is no new project to make cars,” Laurent Oechsel, representative of the CFE-CGC union, was quoted as saying in the report. He added that unions were waiting for more details of Filosa’s strategy in the new year.
Fabrice Jamart, representative of the more hardline CGT union, added: “For me, it’s playing to the gallery, to say ‘We are doing something, we’re taking care of you, don’t worry.’ Then when the axe falls, it will be too late,” the report said.
Reuters could not immediately verify the FT report. Stellantis did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
What does Stellantis make in France?
Stellantis has five assembly plants in France. Here is a breakdown of what it does at each factory.
Poissy: Produces DS3 and Opel/Vauxhall Mokka models, among others.
Sochaux: The largest assembly plant in France and second-largest in Europe make the Peugeot 3008 and 5008. The plant also has significant R&D activities.
Mulhouse: Produces cars such as the Peugeot 308 and 408 and DS7.
Rennes: The plant manufactures a variety of models, including the Peugeot 5008.
Hordain: Produces light commercial vehicles such as the Peugeot Expert/Traveller.