Stellantis expects to make decision on South African plant in coming months

Stellantis says it is still reviewing plans for a proposed manufacturing plant in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province and expects to make a decision in the coming months. The automaker announced in 2023 a greenfield facility in Gqeberha, formerly Port Elizabeth, as its first South African plant, initially intended to produce only the Peugeot Landtrek pickup. The project, previously due for completion last year, is being redesigned to support multiple models as export economics and consumer preferences shift. Mike Whitfield, Stellantis South Africa managing director, said the company has paused but not stopped the work amid a market reshaped by cheaper Chinese imports, with pickup production locally falling from 94% to around the low 70%s. Stellantis plans to clarify next steps within months, while increasing Asian sourcing and benchmarking costs in the region alongside factories in Morocco and Turkey.