Stellantis will make a temporary halt to the production of the electric Fiat 500 at its Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy, from 2 December to 5 January.
This decision comes after several production stoppages at the facility this year, which were driven by weak market demand in Europe for electric vehicles (EVs).
“The reason is the continuing uncertainty in sales of electric cars in several European markets, which account for 97% of Mirafiori’s production, and luxury cars in some non-European countries such as China and the United States,” Stellantis said in a statement.
Earlier this month that trade unions anticipated a full production stoppage at the factory in Fiat’s hometown of Turin, Italy, for the entire month of December.
Stellantis communicated to unions that assembly operations would cease from 2 December to 17 December, extending the plant’s downtime.
The production pause at the Turin plant, which also manufactures two Maserati sports cars, will add to the plant’s previously scheduled end-of-year holiday closure.
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By GlobalDataDespite the halt, parts of the complex, such as administrative offices and research sites, will continue to operate.
The plant is a significant employer in the region, with around 13,000 staff members.
This month, Stellantis revealed plans to close its Luton plant in the UK, a facility that has been producing Vauxhall vehicles since 1905.
The plant, which employs approximately 1,100 workers, currently manufactures combustion engine light commercial vehicles (LCVs). It was set to begin production of an electric version of the Vivaro van in 2025.
Also, Stellantis plans temporary production halts at two southern Italy plants amid investment discussions, according to Reuters.
The Termoli engine plant will pause from December 16-22, and the Cassino auto factory will stop on November 29, with workers furloughed during these periods, the company confirmed in statements.