Production halts at French Stellantis plants

Stellantis, a major carmaker, is facing production issues at several of its plants in France. Some facilities are shutting down because they lack batteries for electric vehicles, while others are adjusting production to manage inventory levels.

Shutdowns vary by location and duration

Production at the Mulhouse plant is suspended from October 15 to October 30, and Poissy’s shutdown runs from October 19 to October 23. Rennes will halt operations from October 22 to November 2, and Sochaux stops from October 23 to October 30. These shutdowns affect employees at all locations, with several days without work.

Battery shortages linked to joint venture

The lack of batteries at Sochaux and Rennes is tied to the Automotive Cells Company (ACC), a joint venture between Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz, and Saft, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies. The ACC plant in Douvrin, Pas-de-Calais, is struggling to supply enough batteries for long-range electric SUVs.

Affected vehicles include popular SUV models

The Peugeot 3008 and 5008, assembled at Sochaux, and the Citroën C5 Aircross at Rennes are affected. These long-range electric versions require more batteries than are currently available, and Stellantis says customer demand, especially from businesses, outpaces its supply capabilities.

Other shutdowns focus on production adjustments

At Poissy and Mulhouse, the shutdowns are due to the need to adjust production volumes and manage end-of-year inventory. Poissy, which assembles the Opel Mokka, is preparing for a transition to other activities like parts recycling and vehicle preparation, planned for 2027-2028.

Future investments and inventory challenges

Mulhouse produces the Peugeot 308 and 408, which are nearing a new stage in their sales cycle. Stellantis plans to invest 400 million euros there, with three new models set to be assembled from 2029. However, these new models will take time to replace current ones, and managing inventory has become a critical issue after significant cash outflows in the American market.