Outages persist due to a microchip shortage, and the anticipated Perte for Electric and Connected Vehicle (VEC) support remains undeployed. The prospect of high voltage capabilities drifting into reality still feels distant, yet daily life continues at Stellantis Vigo. The plant keeps assembling vehicles as parts allow, pushing to adopt new platforms and iterate rogue models while updating existing ones. A semi-hybrid variant of the Peugeot 2008 SUV is available, produced during the plant’s restatement phase from the K9 van project. This parallel work lets Balaídos advance new tooling while staying in close contact with suppliers.
Such midstream modifications are common across the industry. They mirror model evolutions that broaden dealership coverage, and when a vehicle gains traction across markets it tends to lift overall sales, including light commercial vehicles built in Vigo.
For the Peugeot 2008, the SUV fills the gap left by minivans in fashion and market demand. Vigo’s model remains Europe’s third best selling in its category, based on first-half data from consultancy JATO Dynamics. These figures reflect a period of early mass production as of 2019.
As Faro de Vigo reported in August, Balaídos has already restated production by adding a hybrid version to the lineup, making it the first model to be produced at the Vigo facility. The hybrid uses mild hybrid electric vehicle technology, known in English as MHEV and in Spanish as semi-híbrido.
In Peugeot 2008’s case, the work is notably advanced. The plant is currently in a confidential phase and has started producing the first pre-series vehicles. The situation differs for vans, where the project is just beginning.
Although the K9 project minibuses began arriving at Balaídos in 2018, progress has been slower for this segment. Van sales tend to be steadier, with demand remaining relatively stable. Since production began in 1996, Vigo has repeatedly led sales in this category.
Since Fiat Doblò joined the K9 and the olive factory through the PSA and FCA merger, the plant now assembles five silhouettes: four Stellantis models (Doblò added to Citroën Berlingo, Peugeot Partner and Opel Combo) plus one from Toyota (Proace City), following collaboration with the Japanese automaker.
Stellantis Vigo is moving ahead with light commercial vehicle modernization and has begun conversations with key suppliers. The scope of aesthetic tweaks and the anticipated inclusion of the new lion-brand logo introduced last year are expected to appear on both conventional and electric variants, including the eK9. The yearlong testing and refinement continue under various program names.
Staff at Stellantis Vigo will vote to elect a new works council this week. The election will determine who represents about 6,000 workers for the next four years amid a backdrop of ongoing uncertainties from chip shortages and timing of funds for new industrial platforms such as STLA. The vote takes place from the start of the night shift through Friday. In the previous election, delegates from SIT, UGT and CUT won most seats, with representation from CC OO and CIG also present on a 33-seat committee.