No electric Fiat 500s will roll off the production line at the Mirafiori factory near Turin in northern Italy for a month.
Production is being temporarily halted until October 11 due to lack of demand, carmaker Stellantis announced on Thursday.
“The measure has become necessary due to the current lack of orders,” a consequence of the “major difficulties” that all car manufacturers are experiencing in the electric vehicle market in Europe, the French-Italian-American carmaker said in a press release.
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Stellantis adds that it will invest 100 million euros to equip the electric Fiat 500 with, among other things, a new powerful battery. And from 2025 or 2026, the company wants to build a new hybrid version of the car at the Mirafiori factory. (Continue reading below the photo)
Stellantis builds more electric cars in the US
On Wednesday, automaker Stellantis announced it will invest more than $400 million (363 million euros) in three US factories to produce electric cars.
The three plants in the state of Michigan are involved. Stellantis confirmed Wednesday that the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant will be its first U.S. factory to build an all-electric vehicle.
That plant will build the first electric Ram 1500 REV pickup truck. The Ram 1500 REV is set to launch later this year. Stellantis is also investing in its Warren Truck Assembly Plant for the production of the upcoming electrified Jeep Wagoneer.