Workers at the Stellantis plant in Figueruelas, Zaragoza, are still awaiting official confirmation regarding the company’s reported plans to halt production on its Line 1 for two years. This potential pause would align with efforts to restructure and modernize the plant’s operations.
Planned Adjustments to Production Lines
According to La Tribuna de la Automoción, Stellantis intends to transfer production of the Peugeot 208 from Line 1 to Line 2 between the summer of 2025 and 2027. Line 2 currently handles assembly of the Opel Corsa and Lancia Ypsilon models. The proposed downtime for Line 1 would be used to implement the STLA platform, a critical step in electrifying the production process. This move aims to consolidate manufacturing on Line 2 temporarily while preparing the plant for the future of electric vehicle production.
Union Perspective: Jobs Likely Unaffected
Lydia Silva, the general secretary of the Workers’ Commissions (Comisiones Obreras) at Stellantis, acknowledged that timelines for these changes could shift based on production demands. She emphasized that the adjustments are not unexpected, given the current challenges in the European automotive sector and the slower-than-anticipated growth in electric vehicle sales. However, Silva remains optimistic that these changes will not result in job losses, expressing hope that market conditions will improve in the medium term.
Government and Industry Reaction
The Aragón regional government has yet to receive official confirmation of the proposed adjustments from Stellantis. Vice President Mar Vaquero highlighted the predictable nature of these changes, citing the persistently low demand for electric vehicles across Europe as a key factor. She noted that the government remains in close contact with industry leaders and is committed to collaborating with the sector due to its significant role in the regional economy.
Despite receiving funds from Spain’s PERTE III program—a government initiative to support transformative projects in the automotive industry—Stellantis has not announced any firm plans to build a long-awaited electric battery gigafactory in Figueruelas. Vaquero expressed understanding of the company’s cautious approach but remains optimistic that the investment will eventually be confirmed.
