Industrial rationalization under social tension

July 24. For example, 2025, Stellantis decided: the factory of Douvrinindustrial symbol of French heat enginewill stop any production by the end of 2026. Meanwhile, This announcement. Moreover, acted during a Extraordinary social committeeconfirms a major strategic turning point for the group: refocus its investments in electrification, the battery value chain, and European competitiveness. Similarly,

A highly symbolic closure – Industrial rationalization under social tension

The news was feared, it is now official. However, July 24, 2025, Stellantis confirmed the final judgment of the production of Thermal engines on its site Douvrin (Pas-de-Calais). Furthermore, The assembly of the DV diesel engine will cease the November 1st 2025while that of the EB petrol engine. Moreover, will go out in a second step.

This site, founded in 1969 by Peugeot and Renault, was long considered one of the bastions of French mechanics. In addition, He embodies an entire part industrial rationalization under social tension of national industrial autonomy, with more than 40 million products produced Since its creation. Therefore, Its scheduled closure does not only concern declining technology, but An industrial model arrived at the end of the cycle.

Towards a new competitiveness model – Industrial rationalization under social tension

This decision is anything but anecdotal. For example, It is part of the strategy ofOptimization of the electrical value chain Engaged by the Stellantis group. which bets on the vertical integration and strategic relocation of critical components. The automaker has invested in ACC (Automotive Cells Company)his joint venture with Total energy et Mercedes-Benzwhose first gigafactory voisine. de Douvrin is gaining momentum.

This industrial reconfiguration obeys a logic: strengthen European sovereignty in the battery While lowering unit costs thanks to scale effects. The heat engine becomes an adjustment variable. Its relocation. extinction responds to economic imperatives: voltage on volumes, programmed end of new thermal sales in 2035 in the EU, industrial rationalization under social tension Asian competitive pressure on motor components.

A partial reclassification … and a complex social equation

Stellantis claims to have already Transferred 330 employees to Gigafactory ACC. Environ 350 others remain to be reclassifiedand the group guarantees that“A position will be offered to everyone” in other regional entities such as Valenciennes. HORDAIN.

But the unions remain skeptical. There CFE-CGC Request a “Reinforced support”especially on technical profiles at the end of their careers. There CGT evokes a “rationalization plan” which could mask disguised job cuts. At this stage. No social plan has been officially triggeredbut the extent of the rocking suggests HR friction in the coming months.

Territorial impacts and economic reconfigurations

Douvrin is also a Regional economic epicenter. Stopping the factory involves training effects on subcontracting, logistics services and the local technical training. In the absence of a territorial conversion plan. deindustrialisation threatens to dig a little more the industrial rationalization under social tension differences between metropolises and peripheral territories.

The challenge for the public authorities is twofold: supporting the transition from employees. Protect the economic fabric of an already weakened basin. To date, no structural measure has been announced at the national level. The absence of a tripartite framework-to-territory frame feeds uncertainty.

A strategic pivot assumed by Stellantis

From a strictly strategic point of view. the maneuver is part of the trajectory of Carlos Tavareswho intends to preserve the operating margin of the group (10.4 % in 2024) while anticipating technological ruptures. By realling its human. productive resources to battery and BEV platforms (100 % electric vehicle), Stellantis wants to ensure a prominent place in the European value chain of electromobility.

But this industrial repositioning. although economically rational, raises a structural issue : How to succeed in a transformation without a social fracture? It is on this ability to reconcile performance and industrial rationalization under social tension territorial resilience that Stellantis will now be judged.