Stellantis NV will pause production at three manufacturing sites in France during late October 2026 to address a shortage of long-range electric vehicle batteries and reduce excess inventory. The automaker cited strong demand from business customers for EVs with extended range, which has exceeded the current supply of necessary battery components.
What it means
The production stoppages target specific facilities based on model performance and component availability. The Sochaux plant in eastern France, which assembles Peugeot 3008 sport utility vehicles, will cease operations from October 23 to 30. The Rennes factory, responsible for the Citroën C5 Aircross, will shut down from October 22 to 30. Additionally, the Mulhouse facility will close during the final two weeks of October due to weaker-than-anticipated sales of models like the Peugeot 308.
Stellantis is coordinating with Automotive Cells Co. (ACC), a joint venture involving Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz Group AG, and TotalEnergies SE, to ramp up battery manufacturing. ACC operates a production site in northern France and has recruited specialists from China to improve output efficiency and lower scrap rates. A media representative for ACC stated the company is “honoring the commitments made to our client Stellantis, with module delivery levels that meet their requirements.”
The supply constraints follow a surge in EV interest triggered by disruptions to tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz during the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. These geopolitical events drove gasoline and diesel prices to record highs in France and other nations, shifting consumer preference toward electric alternatives. Stellantis also faced operational challenges in Italy; its Melfi plant in the south ran intermittently due to parts shortages, while the Mirafiori facility in the north implemented temporary layoffs from October 19 to 30. The Mirafiori reductions were attributed to elevated local energy costs and sluggish demand for the hybrid Fiat 500.
Key facts
- Sochaux plant closure: Oct. 23–30 (Peugeot 3008 production)
- Rennes factory closure: Oct. 22–30 (Citroën C5 Aircross production)
- Mulhouse plant closure: Final two weeks of October (Peugeot 308 demand issues)
- Mirafiori plant layoffs: Oct. 19–30 (due to energy costs and Fiat 500 demand)
- Battery supplier: Automotive Cells Co. (ACC), a joint venture with Mercedes-Benz Group AG and TotalEnergies SE
- Primary cause: Shortage of long-range EV batteries amid strong business customer demand
Source: Bloomberg News report, Sept. 29, 2026