Stellantis, the global automotive conglomerate, is reportedly considering the production of small electric vehicles in Spain by 2025. This marks a potential reversal from comments made by CEO Carlos Tavares in March 2022.
According to Spanish publication Cinco Dias, Stellantis is in talks with the government to begin local production of vehicles based on the STLA Small architecture. While the decision has not been finalized, an anonymous source from the company confirmed that talks are ongoing.
This development is particularly interesting given Tavares’ statement last year that Stellantis was not in discussions with the Spanish government about producing EVs locally. However, Reyes Maroto, Spain’s Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism, recently met with Stellantis’ executive vice president of manufacturing in Paris, France, and visited Stellantis plants in Spain.
The decision to produce STLA Small-based vehicles in Spain is likely due to the country’s existing production of the Opel Corsa and the all-electric Peugeot e-208. In addition, Stellantis may also establish a battery plant in Spain, according to Uwe Hochgeschurtz, Stellantis’ director of operations for Europe.
“In 2035, all cars in Europe will have to be electric, because the European Union has decided so, so of course, we will have to make batteries, there is no doubt about that,” said Hochgeschurtz. “There will be battery plants in Europe and probably also in Spain.”
Currently, the battery cells used in EVs produced in Spain are sourced from Asia and assembled at factories in Vigo and Zaragoza.
If Stellantis moves forward with production in Spain, it could signal a significant shift in the company’s manufacturing strategy, and could position Spain as a major player in the global electric vehicle market.
