MILAN (Reuters) – Stellantis mentioned on Monday it might make dual-clutch transmissions for hybrid automobiles at its Termoli plant in Southern Italy, which its three way partnership ACC has earmarked for the creation of an electrical car battery-making hub.
The Termoli plant, which at the moment makes engines, is one among three websites in Europe the place Stellantis-led ACC has introduced plans to create EV battery-making gigafactories.
Whereas a gigafactory in France has already began operations, plans for 2 comparable services in Italy and Germany have been formally paused final 12 months, as ACC was switching to decrease value batteries amid slowing demand for EVs.
A spokesperson for ACC – which additionally has Mercedes and TotalEnergies as shareholders – mentioned on Monday the JV was nonetheless assessing its funding plans for Italy and Germany with an intention to take a choice inside this 12 months, however not earlier than June.
Stellantis’ announcement on Termoli doesn’t change the continuing scenario, the spokesperson added.
Earlier this month the CEO of TotalEnergies, which owns a 25% stake in ACC, mentioned the JV ought to focus its efforts simply on the French plant, signaling the plans for the Italian and German gigafactories may very well be finally scrapped.
Stellantis mentioned in an announcement on Monday it’s going to produce electrified twin clutch transmissions (eDCT), a key element for hybrid automobiles, in Termoli ranging from 2026, to assist increase its hybrid product line.
It made no reference to ACC’s plans for the plant.
“With a goal of 300 thousand items per 12 months, Termoli turns into Stellantis’ third manufacturing hub for this subtle transmission,” the corporate mentioned.
The automaker already makes eDCTs in Mirafiori, Italy, and Metz, France.
Italy’s main metalworker unions welcomed the announcement on Monday, saying eDCT manufacturing would supply employment for round 300 of the full 1,800 employees on the Termoli plant.
Gianluca Ficco of UILM union mentioned long-term choices have been now wanted for the way forward for the plant, together with on the gigafactory plan.
Stellantis additionally mentioned on Monday it might enhance manufacturing ranges for key parts wanted to help elevated eDCT output at its vegetation in Sint Truiden, Belgium, and in Metz.
It added it might additionally set up a brand new meeting line for the parts in Metz.
Stellantis, the world’s fourth largest carmaker, at the moment has a separate plan with Chinese language battery maker CATL to construct a 4.1 billion euro ($4.3 billion) gigafactory in Spain.
($1 = 0.9537 euros)
(Reporting by giulio piovaccari; enhancing by Cristina Carlevaro, Valentina Za and Jan Harvey)
