production maintenance
The Stellantis plant in Figueruelas, Zaragoza, is preparing for a milestone season. For several months next year, up to five car models from four different brands will roll off the same assembly lines simultaneously. This marks an unprecedented level of product variety at the facility, which has been operating for more than four decades. The spring launch window, anticipated around April, will bring these diverse models into full production, illustrating the plant’s evolving role in Stellantis’ electrification and multi-brand strategy.
Among the models set for production is the Lancia Ypsilon, which will become the third electric vehicle to be manufactured at Figueruelas. The presence of the Ypsilon underscores the plant’s expanding portfolio as the company accelerates its electrification roadmap. The broader mix is shaped by delays to other launches previously planned for the site, including city SUVs Opel Aircross and Citroën C3 Crossland, which have been postponed. In the meantime, the next-generation versions of these and related models are expected to be produced at the Trnava facility in Slovakia starting in the summer of 2024, reflecting Stellantis’ regional production strategy.
From the same Central European complex comes the ongoing production of the Stellantis range, with the addition of the electric and mild-hybrid variants of the popular Peugeot e-208. This model joined the Figueruelas lineup a couple of months ago and has quickly established a steady payroll presence. The launch curve for these electrified versions began on October 2 and has gained strong traction with market demand, signaling a positive trajectory for the plant’s electrification efforts and an uptick in overall plant utilization.
In total, five models will be in production at Figueruelas at the same time—an arrangement that would push the facility into new territory. The schedule would increase the workload and emphasize the plant’s multi-brand capabilities. The operation is moving toward a future where assembly lines are optimized for a broader mix of vehicles, reinforcing the plant’s role in the company’s transition toward greater electrification and supply chain resilience.
production maintenance
Looking at the total annual output, the Figueruelas site is expected to finish the year with a result close to the 2022 level. The Zaragoza plant projects around 360,000 vehicles for the year, a figure that sits near the 365,263 units produced the previous year. These numbers are based on current estimates and will be finalized in the coming days as the production counts are completed. The pace reflects cautious planning by the company amid ongoing market uncertainty and supply chain challenges affecting the broader auto industry.
Forecasts for 2023 have remained prudent given the persistent headwinds in the sector. The initial goal of reaching 379,000 vehicles could not be met due to continued parts shortages, including microchips, though the impact has been somewhat less severe than in prior years. The plant did see a trough in production in 2021, when around 324,000 vehicles were built, marking one of the lowest outputs in the last thirty years. The current trajectory shows a gradual recovery as supply chains stabilize and demand remains robust in key markets.
Logistics and supply challenges have not disappeared entirely. In a recent week, a few shifts on the line were canceled due to material constraints. Factory personnel indicated that a sizable stock of unfinished vehicles remains on the lot because certain components have not yet arrived. This situation underscores the ongoing balancing act between meeting demand and maintaining smooth, continuous production lines.
Italian challenge
Amid these dynamics, Figueruelas is taking concrete steps to support the revival of the historic Italian brand Lancia with the Ypsilon comeback. Lancia, one of Europe’s oldest brands with a 116-year legacy, has faced a lean period with limited product launches and slower sales in recent years. The early stages of the Ypsilon program indicate a deliberate strategy to reintroduce the brand to European markets. A small batch of units, just over 20, rolled off the production line during testing, produced under strict precautions to protect the model’s image as the company prepares its official reveal slated for February. The pre-production phase is expected to lead into mass production, anticipated to begin within roughly four months, positioning Figueruelas at the center of Lancia’s European relaunch plan.
In this context, the plant is balancing several priorities: sustaining high utilization of the existing lines, integrating new electrified variants, and ensuring quality as the Lancia Ypsilon makes its return to the market. The strategy reflects both the plant’s adaptability and Stellantis’ broader aim to diversify its European production footprint while advancing an electrified lineup across multiple brands.