Stellantis plans to temporarily halt production at four French plants in October as the automaker adjusts operations to supply constraints and changing demand. Three facilities are being affected by shortages of batteries for long-range electric vehicles, highlighting the supply-chain challenges facing manufacturers as EV demand and production requirements evolve.

Battery Shortages Create a New Bottleneck for EV Production

At the Sochaux plant, which produces vehicles including the Peugeot 3008 and Peugeot 5008, production is scheduled to stop from October 23 to October 30. At the Rennes facility, where the Citroën C5 Aircross is produced, production will be halted from October 22 to October 30. Stellantis said availability of certain batteries used in long-range versions is insufficient to meet demand, particularly from business customers.

The situation illustrates a key challenge for the global automotive industry. Even when demand for specific electric models is strong, manufacturers remain dependent on battery suppliers being able to deliver components at the required scale. Stellantis is also working to adjust production schedules to avoid building vehicles that do not match current customer demand.

Four Plants, but Different Reasons for the Production Stops

The Mulhouse plant is also scheduled to suspend production from October 15 to October 30, but the company has not attributed the stoppage to the same battery shortage. Instead, the move is linked to production adjustments. The facility is expected to benefit from part of Stellantis’ €1 billion investment program in France announced in June, including approximately €400 million allocated to the site. Stellantis plans to introduce three new models at the plant starting in 2029.

The fourth facility, in Poissy near Paris, is scheduled to stop production from October 19 to October 23. In this case, the company is adjusting output and inventory levels to align production with market demand. The distinction is important for investors because a temporary stoppage caused by a missing component carries different implications from one driven primarily by inventory management and production planning.

Stellantis Faces Supply Pressure Despite Improving Performance

The production disruptions come as Stellantis has been showing signs of operational improvement. The company reported second-quarter 2026 revenue of €43.5 billion, up 13% from the same period a year earlier, while net income reached €300 million. Industrial free cash flow was positive at €1 billion. In Europe, the group recorded 1.37 million vehicle registrations during the first half of the year, an increase of 3.8%, giving it a 16.7% market share.

For investors, the key issue is whether the battery constraints remain temporary or begin to limit Stellantis’ ability to meet demand for electric models. The company is scheduled to report third-quarter results on October 28, shortly after several of the planned production stoppages begin. Vehicle deliveries, inventory levels, manufacturing costs and management’s comments on battery availability will be important indicators of whether the disruption is isolated or part of a broader supply-chain constraint.