Automotive News Europe, referencing union sources, mentions that the upcoming model is set for production at the Melfi plant in Italy. This is the same location where the future iteration of the Jeep Compass crossover is expected to be fabricated.
The plant in southern Italy, under Stellantis's purview, will also take on the production of three other models. They plan to roll out a new DS 9 that will be paired with the aforementioned Opel/Vauxhall Insignia. Furthermore, a DS 7 successor and a complementary Lancia model are on the cards. As for the present lineup, the Fiat 500X, Jeep Compass, and Renegade are projected to phase out between 2024 and 2025, as indicated by union sources.
The same document suggests that the upcoming Insignia and DS 9 will be five-door liftbacks. The DS 7, meanwhile, is poised to transition to an entirely electric variant. With Opel's recent unveiling of the Manta-e and Experimental designs, they've showcased their ambition to embrace an electric-centric future with a revamped aesthetic. The forthcoming models are likely to be built on dedicated EV foundations, a project Stellantis has been developing over multiple years.
It's heartening to observe that the auto giant is fulfilling its commitment to reviving Lancia, especially after its reduction to a single market – Italy – and just one model – the older Ypsilon. It appears that Lancia is the next brand in line for rejuvenation, following the financial boost given to the previously struggling Italian marque, Alfa Romeo. DS, Fiat, and Abarth are also set to receive new offerings.
Preserving all these brands undeniably comes with significant costs. However, Stellantis aims to optimize expenses by producing twin vehicles, a strategy reminiscent of the approach the VW Group has successfully employed for years. ANE states that this fresh batch of futuristic models is slated to launch in 2024 and will continue through 2026. Given that the Melfi facility produced a whopping 393,000 cars at its peak in 2015 and 163,646 units in 2021, it possesses the required production capabilities.
Source: Automotive News Europe
