Stellantis plant in Tychy has produced 500,000 B-segment SUVs since 2023, but the milestone comes with a bitter aftertaste. The factory once capable of building 600,000 cars a year now operates only half of its capacity, and the second production line has been idle since June 2024.
The jubilee car is an Alfa Romeo Junior in Sport Speciale trim, powered by a 1.2 T3 145 HP mild-hybrid engine that was also made in Tychy. Alongside the Junior, the plant assembles the Jeep Avenger and Fiat 600, all three sharing the same platform and available with combustion, hybrid, or electric powertrains.
Despite the celebration, the output of half a million cars over three years is far below the plant’s historical peak. In 2009, during the global financial crisis, the Tychy factory produced nearly as many cars as Fiat’s five Italian plants combined. That success, however, triggered a political backlash in Italy.
A bittersweet milestone
– I greatly appreciate the competence and commitment invested in producing each of the half a million jubilee vehicles. The Tychy plant is an important part of the Stellantis team behind the market success of these cars – said Christophe Montavone, Stellantis director of manufacturing in Europe.
The Tychy factory, founded in 1975, has built over 11 million cars in its history, including icons like the Fiat 126p, Cinquecento, Seicento, and the previous-generation Panda and Fiat 500. After the creation of Stellantis, one assembly line was converted to produce B-segment SUVs, while the other continued with A-segment models until they were phased out.
The impact of past decisions
The root of today’s underutilisation lies in a decision made in 2009. Then-Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne, seeking Italian government support during the crisis, agreed to move production of the next-generation Panda to Italy – despite warning that the move would be economically inefficient. The decision delivered political favours but cost Tychy its volume and momentum.
In 2025, the plant celebrated its 50th anniversary, surpassing 11 million vehicles produced. That same year, the adjacent engine plant marked 5 million engines made since 1999, starting with Isuzu diesels. The jubilee engine was a three-cylinder T3 unit destined for a Jeep Avenger.
Currently, only the B-SUV line is active, with capacity estimated at 300,000-400,000 cars per year on a three-shift system. However, market fluctuations forced the plant to cancel the third shift in spring 2026. The second line remains empty – the hope that Chinese Leapmotor T03 production would fill it has not materialised so far.
Source: WNP.PL, Fot. Stellantis press materials
