Stellantis announces production stoppages in October at four French factories

The car manufacturer Stellantis announced on Tuesday the shutdown for five to fifteen days in October of its factories in Sochaux, Rennes, Mulhouse and Poissy, for industrial reasons. These various production interruptions were announced to staff representatives, the group indicated in a message to the press. They aroused the anger of the CGT union in Mulhouse, which demanded a reduction in production rates rather than a closure, and a warning from the CFDT in Rennes.

In Sochaux (Doubs), the historic factory of the Peugeot brand, where high-end SUVs, the 3008 and 5008, are produced, the shutdown is scheduled from October 23 to 30. “This decision is linked to insufficient availability of certain batteries intended for “long range” versions of our electric vehicles,” explained the manufacturer.

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“Demand for these versions is sustained, particularly from professional customers, and remains higher than current supply capacities,” he added. In Rennes (Ille-et-Vilaine), the stop is scheduled from October 22 to 30; “identical explanation,” said Stellantis. “Demand for these “long range” versions is strong, particularly among professional customers. This situation particularly concerns the Citroën C5 Aircross,” he explained.

Repercussions on the purchasing power of employees

The factory's CFDT was concerned about the repercussions on the purchasing power of employees. Union delegate Laurent Valy, interviewed by Ici Armorique, noted “the financial impact of partial activity and the increase in fuel costs”, a subject which according to him could “become explosive”. In Mulhouse (Haut-Rhin), the stop will be longer, from October 15 to 30. This factory manages the end of life of the two models it produces, the Peugeot 308 and 408, which “do not have the possibility of accommodating long-range batteries”. The site is to benefit from 400 million euros out of an amount of one billion euros of investments in France announced in June by the group.

Stellantis plans to assemble three new models there, compact sedans and SUVs (segment C), from 2029, which guarantees the future of this factory opened in the 1960s. The CGT was moved by this choice of technical unemployment. “If we produce fewer cars, let’s keep everyone, including temporary workers, lower production rates and take advantage of it to improve working conditions and train employees in Mulhouse,” she pleads in a press release.

“For those hired, this represents hundreds of euros that may be missing. For temporary workers, it's even worse (...) The Peugeot and Agnelli families and other big shareholders have collected billions in dividends in recent years. Now that sales are falling, it’s not up to employees to pay,” she said.

Finally in Poissy (Yvelines), the shutdown will take place from October 19 to 23, “to adapt production to market demand in a logic of fine stock management”, specified Stellantis. The group announced in April the cessation of vehicle production by 2028, in favor of the production and recycling of parts and the preparation and transformation of vehicles.