Ignacio Bueno, the head of Stellantis’ Vigo factory cluster, hinted this Friday that a fresh delay might be needed. The conditions that caused the first two pauses have not changed, evidenced by the plant’s plan to finish the year with a production drop of 15 to 20 percent compared to expectations.
During a press briefing, Bueno said, “Logic suggests that as long as we face these kinds of situations, not resolving them soon, we will require measures to support employment next year.” This is a recurring theme across Stellantis plants.
“The context in which the ERTE was signed last year, largely due to the semiconductor crisis, remains unresolved,” he noted. He added that this is not a topic currently under discussion with workers or their union representatives.
He also acknowledged ongoing pauses at a plant, describing several challenging days of production throughout the year.
“It won’t be a record year”
“It won’t be a record year by any measure. We can say that this year we lost between 15 and 20 percent because we did not have the components,” he forecasted.
Beyond these issues, the factory that churns out the most cars in Spain, along with other logistics operations, faced delays in releasing vehicles to the rightful markets at the expected pace.
“There is significant congestion in sea traffic due to European ports, which are entry points to the continent’s main markets and are congested with drivers. This has led to restrictions on road transport in several countries as drivers are unavailable, hindering our ability to move ships smoothly. We need solutions,” explained the Vigo plant manager.
“This year, we could say we lost 15 to 20 percent of what we could have achieved if we had the components.”
Yet the problem is not limited to maritime traffic; rail movements also pose challenges. Promotions in the press about corridors across Spain and Portugal raise concerns about goods access through these routes, underscoring the importance of reliable connectivity to the region.
Bueno also referred to ongoing negotiations with the Government to secure European funds tied to the first PERTE for Electric and Connected Vehicles, noting the factory’s role in shaping timelines for these incentives.
“Early next year, a major decision is needed. This is obvious because the group’s strategic plan for developing and industrializing new platforms over time requires it, but it depends on a government that provides the details,” he said. “The worry is landing on a proposal that is attractive to the sector and meets expectations.”
Investments under a magnifying glass
According to the Vigo plant director, Stellantis reviews its investments in each platform with a strict lens, guided by three criteria: plant performance, production quality, and customer support. He called for concrete commitments from the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Ecological Transformation, to address energy-related aid linked to Stellantis’ planned investments. He described this support as pivotal for the future of the production centers and the possibility of finally obtaining the long-sought Balaídos substation for the plant.
Speaking at the same event, Francisco Conde, the first vice-president of Xunta de Galicia and Minister of Economy, stated that a solution can be found to help Stellantis Vigo access European funds. He reminded that a large portion of the first PERTE funds remained unawarded, and urged timely governmental action to enable the planned investments.
Conde emphasized the importance of concrete, timely investments and called for a robust electrical connection to ensure the Vigo factory remains competitive in the market.
End of excerpt. [Source attribution: Stellantis Vigo plant briefing, as reported by corporate communications and regional government statements.]