ECONOMY Automotive

Chinese cars produced in Rennes: Stellantis denies being "a Trojan horse"

Chinese cars produced in Rennes: Stellantis denies being "a Trojan horse"
Chinese cars produced in Rennes: Stellantis denies being "a Trojan horse"

Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa defends the decision to soon produce electric vehicles for the Chinese manufacturer Dongfeng at the Rennes-La Janais plant. Faced with criticism, he maintains that this partnership is primarily a solution to maintain industrial activity and preserve jobs at the Breton site.

“We are not a Trojan horse,” he asserted on Thursday on franceinfo. According to him, this cooperation with Dongfeng should prevent factory closures and preserve current staffing levels. Stellantis employs 38,000 people in its twelve French factories and works with nearly 600 suppliers in the country.

An electric 2CV for less than 20,000 euros

The automotive group is going through a difficult period after a loss exceeding €22 billion in 2025, largely due to the revision of its global electric vehicle strategy. Antonio Filosa also points out that the European market has never recovered its pre-pandemic volumes and that France has lost approximately 600,000 production units since the 2000s.

The CEO of Stellantis also confirmed the unveiling of a new electric 2CV at the upcoming Paris Motor Show. Developed in part by French engineers, it is expected to be priced under €20,000. Antonio Filosa stated his intention to maintain Stellantis's presence in France for the long term and to "build the future" of the group with its French employees.

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