The affair is becoming increasingly concrete. After several days of rumors about a possible rapprochement between Stellantis and Chinese carmaker Dongfeng, a new element has confirmed that the discussions are not merely theoretical: visits have indeed taken place... and they are causing serious concern among employees.
Two visits confirmed, but official discourse very cautious
It's now official: at a meeting of the social and economic committee, Stellantis management acknowledged that delegations from Dongfeng had visited the Chartres-de-Bretagne site, near Rennes, on two occasions. The first visit took place in January, followed by a second in April.
An outside firm was also commissioned to evaluate the Breton plant, a detail that is far from insignificant in this type of industrial dossier.
On the management side, however, the tone remains extremely measured. Stellantis explains that it regularly welcomes players from the automotive sector as part of its normal activities, without wishing to comment further on these visits or discuss the future of the site. This cautious stance contrasts with the extent of the questions being asked internally.
«We're not for sale»: unions take up the cause
On the ground, the tone is very different. The unions, for their part, are no longer hiding their concern at what they see as a possible major strategic shift.
Laurent Valy, CFDT delegate, sums up the position very clearly: «We're not for sale». A strong phrase that illustrates the categorical rejection of a possible sale of the site. For staff representatives, an industrial partnership could be envisaged, particularly if it were to bring in additional production volumes, but the outright sale of the plant remains a red line.
The other unions echoed this sentiment. Some talk of a «brutal» announcement, while others admit to having discovered the information in the press, fuelling a feeling of vagueness and lack of transparency. «There's no smoke without fire», say several representatives, aware that the repetition of weak signals is beginning to outline a more serious trend.
A strategic plant... but in a fragile state
The Rennes site is not just any site in the Stellantis industrial organization chart. It currently produces the Citroën C5 Aircross, at a rate of around 400 vehicles a day, and employs over 2,000 people.
But behind this apparent stability, the situation remains fragile. The plant currently produces only one model, making it particularly dependent on volumes and the Group's strategic decisions. For several months now, the unions have been calling for the allocation of a second vehicle to secure business. Added to this are recent disruptions, with production stoppages linked to supply problems. All of which adds to the feeling of uncertainty.
A project in line with a broader European strategy
These visits should not be analyzed in isolation. They are part of a much broader context: that of a global review by Stellantis of its industrial facilities in Europe.
As mentioned in recent days, the group faces overcapacity estimated at the equivalent of several factories. Demand remains below pre-pandemic levels, while the transition to electric power is complicating investments and slowing down certain projects. Several sites are potentially concerned by transformation scenarios: production sharing, industrial partnerships... or even divestments. Rennes is one of the sites regularly mentioned, alongside Cassino in Italy and plants in Spain and Germany.
China, an essential partner
This tie-up with Dongfeng is no coincidence. Stellantis now openly assumes its growing dependence on the Chinese ecosystem, particularly in the field of electric vehicles.
The group recognizes that China has a considerable lead, In fact, China has an estimated ten-year lead in electric vehicle technologies. Batteries, software, supply chains... all areas in which Chinese players currently dominate. Partnerships appear to be a necessity rather than a choice. Dongfeng, Stellantis' long-standing partner, could play a key role in this strategy, for both the Chinese and international markets.
Numerous recent visits, both to Europe and China, confirm that this cooperation is changing scale. The meeting on May 21, during the Stellantis Capital Markets Day, could provide further information on this subject.
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