More than forty vehicles burned in the Stellantis plant located in Sachaux, a northern French commune, drawing widespread attention from national media in France and beyond.
Security teams at the facility detected an intrusion into the warehouse area at around 4:30 am local time on February 12. That moment marked the beginning of a dramatic incident. Security observed at least one person entering the premises, but the intruder fled before authorities could confront them.
Stellantis issued an initial statement indicating that intruders had breached the business property and left without clear evidence of their aims. The company asserted that the blaze appeared to be a deliberate act, not a random accident, and described the fire as an arson event rather than a mere safety breach. This stance followed early investigations that suggested a targeted approach to the site and its assets.
In total, 52 vehicles were affected by the fire, with 42 sustaining complete destruction. Among those lost were Peugeot models 3008 and 5008, which had recently come off the production line. The sudden damage raised concerns about the vulnerability of new builds and the potential ripple effects on production schedules, supplier arrangements, and regional job security.
The blaze reportedly spread in part due to the vehicles being parked beneath solar panels at the site, a setup that may have facilitated rapid ignition and wider flames through shared electrical infrastructure. Local authorities coordinated the response, working to contain the fire and assess the structural impact on the factory complex while investigators gathered evidence for a formal determination of responsibility.
Separately, a separate incident involved a car carrier previously loaded with Chery vehicles. A fire damaged the on-board cargo, though details about the cause and whether any crew members were harmed were not clearly disclosed by MarineTraffic, which tracks maritime movements. The carrier had departed South Korea for Vietnam on January 28, and officials have withheld further comments pending a full inquiry. The case highlights ongoing concerns about fire safety aboard transport vessels and the protection of high-value automobile shipments in overseas routes.
Industry observers note that repeated fires in automotive facilities and transport chains can disrupt regional supply networks, affecting production lines, dealership inventories, and consumer confidence. In this case, the Sachaux event underscores the importance of robust security measures at manufacturing sites and the need for rapid, transparent communication with the public when such incidents occur. Analysts emphasize that investigations will focus on identifying the perpetrators, evaluating security gaps, and determining any links to broader criminal activity within the automotive sector. The outcome of these inquiries may influence safety protocols and insurance considerations for plants across North America and Europe, where manufacturers continually balance efficiency with risk management.