The Stellantis factory in Termoli, Italy, is going through a new delicate period. After several months of uncertainty and production slowdowns, the factory specializing in thermal engines, notably Firefly (GSE) and V6 engines, is already planning a week's break. According to information relayed by the local media Termolionlinea week of shutdown is scheduled from February 17 to 23, 2025, with a request for temporary suspension of activities with salary reduction for the employees concerned.
A factory already in slow motion
Production of Firefly thermal engines (GSE), which equip models like the Fiat Panda and the Alfa Romeo Tonale, is already strongly affected by a drop in orders. Since the start of the year, the factory has been operating at a reduced pace, going from three to two working days per week. This reduction in production echoes the energy transition in the automotive sector, a painful transition for certain production sites, including that of Termoli.
A difficult energy transition
The future of the Termoli factory remains uncertain. Initially, a reconversion project into Gigafactory of batteries for electric vehicles had been announced, but this was suspended, leaving the unions waiting for concrete answers on the future of the site. Marco Laviano, secretary of the Fim-Cisl Abruzzo-Moliseexpresses the feeling of frustration of the workers: “We want Stellantis to call us and give us a clear direction regarding the future of Termoli”. In the meantime, “the exhausting wait continues,” he emphasizes.
-The announcement of the upcoming shutdown week is a new indicator of the slowdown in production. GSE and V6 engine personnel will have to prepare for a new break which could weigh heavily on their daily lives. Pending new information regarding the Gigafactory project with ACC, the restyling of the Tonale in summer 2025 and the Fiat 500 hybrid, whose production will begin in November 2025 at Mirafiori, could offer a breath of fresh air to Stellantis and restore some dynamism to Termoli’s production.
