Stellantis Proposes Joint Ventures for Four European Plants Including Rennes and Madrid
Stellantis has identified four surplus European plants, including Rennes, Cassino and Madrid, for potential sale or sharing to address overcapacity and gain technology access through Chinese partnerships. The group will repurpose its Poissy facility after 2028, triggering job cuts and supplier impacts at Lear, Forvia and OPMobility.
1. Overcapacity and Plant Selection
Stellantis has determined it holds surplus production capacity across four European facilities, naming Rennes in France, Cassino in Italy and Madrid in Spain as primary candidates for sale or sharing. These sites represent a portion of its 20 regional assembly plants, making it the second-largest automaker network after Volkswagen in Europe.
2. Talks with Chinese Automakers
Discussions are underway with Dongfeng Motor Corp and other Chinese manufacturers to explore joint production ventures and technology exchanges at the selected plants, following recent plant tours in Rennes, Madrid, Italy and Germany. Negotiations could result in multiple partnerships or outright sales, though no definitive agreements have been finalized.
3. Poissy Repurposing and Job Impact
The Poissy plant near Paris will cease car production after 2028 as part of a strategic reconfiguration, prompting workforce reductions and affecting key suppliers such as Lear, Forvia and OPMobility. Labor unions have announced demonstrations in response to the planned job cuts.
4. Strategic Outlook
By sharing or divesting excess capacity, Stellantis aims to optimize utilization, cut fixed costs and secure advanced EV technology from partners. The outcome is expected to reshape its European footprint, influence future production planning and alter supplier dynamics.