Future-proof: Stellantis awards the STLA Small platform to Figueruelas and Vigo

Stellantis Figueruelas has already been officially awarded the STLA Small electric vehicle assembly platform, as well as the Vigo plant, as announced this Wednesday by the group’s director of operations in Europe, Jean-Philippe Imparato, in a meeting with the media, and subsequently confirmed by the multinational. Thus, the next generation of models attributed to them will be made on this platform and production is assured from 2030, the date set for stopping the manufacture of thermal cars. 

STLA Small is a native multi-energy BEV platform, offering a range of up to 500 kilometres , designed to facilitate efficient mobility. Following the launch of the STLA Medium platform in 2023 and the announcement of STLA Large and STLA Frame in 2024, STLA Small is the latest of the multinational’s four global platforms, which are one of the pillars of its  electrification strategy. The award of STLA Small to Vigo and Zaragoza is complementary to the one already announced in December 2024 in Pomigliano (Italy) for compact models.

The multinational has highlighted that this range of platforms guarantees that Stellantis can “offer the right solutions to customers” based on a wide variety of electrification adoption scenarios. “All Stellantis global platforms are designed and conceived to extend the life cycle thanks to the interchangeability of battery cell chemistry, EDMs, power inverters and control software,” they indicated in a statement.

AN ARRIVAL SUPPORTED BY THE COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT AND THE GIGAFACTORY

An officialisation that was already echoing in the Zaragoza plant, after the collective agreement was signed in 2023 that contemplated the arrival of this platform to ensure production beyond 2030 and the recent confirmation of the gigafactory with the investment of 4.1 billion together with CATL. A combo that, together with the award of the Pertes and the investment of 10 million from the Government of Aragon, made one think that it was only a matter of time.

The Minister of Industry, Jordi Hereu, has positively assessed the announcement, which makes “ Spain advance in the race to become the European hub for electric mobility”. He has highlighted that this commitment shows that the country has “competitive plants” and “strengthens our position as one of the world leaders in vehicle production”. In addition, he has highlighted that the Group has obtained 342.4 million from the various Perte calls for tenders for its three plants, of which 139.5 million are for modernising the value chain.

For his part, the President of the Government of Aragon, Jorge Azcón, also wanted to celebrate the news, “which guarantees production and employment in the coming years” at Stellatis Figueruelas. “A new success for the Aragonese automotive industry and the reward for the excellent work of the employees of an exemplary factory,” he posted on the social network X. 

From the Zaragoza factory, the president of the Company Committee, Rubén Alonso (UGT), has described the announcement as “a breath of fresh air” for Stellantis Figueruelas, which does nothing but “highlight” the agreements promoted by the unions. The platform is a reality and, in his opinion, represents  “a boost for the Zaragoza complex and the entire automotive industry .” “It is good for us and for Aragon as a whole,” he said.

STELLANTIS CONSOLIDATES ITS INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP IN SPAIN WITH 41.3% OF PRODUCTION

The news comes as Stellantis has released its 2024 production figures. The multinational is consolidating its industrial leadership in Spain with 41.3% of the country’s total production. Last year, 981,120 vehicles of five brands left its plants in Madrid, Vigo and Zaragoza: Citroën, Fiat, Lancia, Opel and Peugeot . Of these, 11% were BEVs and 32% were light commercial vehicles. These figures represent a decrease compared to those of 2023, when total production exceeded one million units.

In 2024, the  Zaragoza plant produced 372,481 vehicles, of which 50,855 were 100% electric, while in Madrid there were 92,589 vehicles (11,119 electric) and in Vigo there were 516,050 (45,421 electric). The only one that grew was the one in Zaragoza, by 1.8% , while Madrid and Vigo decreased in volume.

Last year there was also progress in electrification . In Figueruelas, the battery assembly workshop, integrated into the Assembly and Final Finishing plant since 2023, thus facilitating logistics and production management, recently increased its production capacity, reaching 35 batteries per hour, which would mean a maximum annual production of 190,000 batteries.

In terms of sustainability, Stellantis Zaragoza has added a wind farm to its photovoltaic park this year . Finally, in terms of brands and models, production of the new Lancia Ypsilon has started at the Figueruelas plant.