The Stellantis automotive consortium, which brings together brands such as Citroën, Peugeot, Opel, Lancia or Jeep, would have decided to assign to its Spanish factories in Vigo and Zaragoza the production of new small electric cars based on the Small STLA platform. The cars would enter the production chain from 2025 and the project would involve the investment of more than 1,000 million euros, while the group led by Carlos Tavares hopes to alleviate part of that burden by opting to achieve 150 million euros of the funds of the PERTE VEC II, which closes the window for applications today.

The information was advanced by the newspaper Cinco Días, although Stellantis sources contacted by this newspaper have declined to comment. The assignment of the project is not expected to be made public until at least November, but, if confirmed, it would guarantee the future of the company's two largest factories in our country. The new platform would not be introduced for now in Madrid, where it assembles the C4 and C4X models, both in combustion and 100% electric versions.

In addition, it would be a new setback for the French Government, at war with the dome of Stellantis so that it "relocates" in France the production of its electric cars. In July, the French Minister of Economy, Bruno Le Maire, said that this move would be "an act of economic patriotism" and "sweetened" his demand by noting that they were considering "possible subsidies". In addition, the French State owns 6% of the capital of Stellantis.

According to France, this withdrawal should begin by 'stealing' from Spain the production of the new Peugeot e-208, an electric utility that is planned to be manufactured at the Zaragoza facilities and of which the first test units are already being produced, although the project has not been officially awarded.

The answer that Tavares gave then shattered all those aspirations: "It is not economically viable, it would be a bad solution for both the company and the country," he said. And it would be reconfirmed now with the new project.

And it is that an executive like Tavares, who has made cost reduction a mantra to turn Stellantis into a money-making machine, the Spanish move fits. In fact, the company he runs is the leading vehicle manufacturer in our country and last year between Vigo, Zaragoza and Madrid assembled 852,000 units, 38.4% of total national production.

That volume is divided between no less than 16 models of the brands Citroën, Opel, Peugeot, Fiat, as well as small vans for Toyota. And a not insignificant amount of those cars (more than 112,000 units) were 100% electric. In addition, in the starting portfolio would be the aforementioned Peugeot e-208 and also the new Lancia Ypsilon, which will be made in Zaragoza.

Specifically, of these 16 cars, 12 have a 100% electric version: the Citroën ë-C4 and ë-C4 X in the Center of Madrid, the Opel Corsa-e in the Zaragoza plant and the Peugeot e-2008, together with the commercial and versatile Citroën ë-Berlingo / ë-Berlingo VAN, Fiat e-Doblò / Doblò Van electric, Opel Combo-e Life / Combo-e Cargo and Peugeot e-Partner / e-Rifter, in the Center of Vigo.