July 26, 2024 – Stellantis, the automotive giant, has declared its commitment to tackling the formidable impact of Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) on the European market. At the opening ceremony of a new electric vehicle production line in Serbia, CEO Carlos Tavares stated, “We are poised to face the fierce challenge posed by Chinese automakers in the European market, and Stellantis is ready for the battle.”
As part of its strategic response, Stellantis is leveraging its Kragujevac plant in Serbia as a key base. This facility, which previously produced the Fiat 500L, has now transitioned to manufacturing the new Fiat Grande Panda, a small crossover EV. Benefiting from reduced production costs and the soon-to-be-developed largest lithium mine in Europe, the new vehicle is expected to have a price tag of as low as $28,000. Tavares emphasized, “We will prove to them that we are diligent, possess the right technology, and are formidable competitors.”
Notably, Stellantis is also adopting a different tactic: collaborating with its rivals. Earlier this year, through a joint venture with Lepao Automobile, the company began assembling Chinese-made Lepao T03 electric vehicles at the Tychy plant in Poland.
In comparison, the Fiat Grande Panda is built on the same platform as the Citroen e-C3, equipped with a 113 horsepower front motor and a 44 kWh battery, offering a WLTP range of 195 miles (approximately 313.82 kilometers). Additionally, a mild hybrid variant with a 1.2-liter gasoline engine will be introduced.
Stellantis Group, formed through a 50:50 merger between PSA Group and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), is an automaker and mobility solutions provider. According to its official website, the group encompasses 15 automotive brands: Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, DS, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, RAM, and Vauxhall, covering all segments from ultra-luxury and luxury to mainstream passenger cars, heavy pickups, SUVs, and light commercial vehicles. Furthermore, it includes dedicated brands for mobility, finance, components, and services.
