Stellantis suspends production at three plants in France due to a shortage of batteries for electric vehicles

Franco-Italian automotive group Stellantis will suspend production at three plants in France for at least one week in October due to a shortage of batteries for certain electric vehicles. The measure affects the plants in Sochaux, Rennes and Mulhouse, and employees were informed on Tuesday.

The plant in Sochaux, in eastern France, will halt operations from October 23 to 30. According to the company, batteries are lacking for electric versions with extended range. Stellantis says demand for these models, particularly from fleet customers, currently exceeds supply capacity.

The Rennes plant will also be temporarily closed, from October 22 to 30, with the situation particularly affecting the Citroën C5 Aircross model. In Mulhouse, production will be halted from October 15 to 30.

The automaker says the suspensions are a one-off measure intended to adjust production to market demand and prevent unsold vehicles from accumulating. Stellantis was formed in 2021 through the merger of French group PSA and Italian-American group Fiat Chrysler and brings together brands including Peugeot, Jeep, Maserati, Fiat and Opel.