Stellantis to shift production of Opel Insignia replacement to Italy

End of the Insignia in Germany

Stellantis bid farewell to the Opel Insignia last year as production ceased at the Opel factory in Rüsselsheim. The midsize car, a rival to the VW Passat, will see a replacement, but it won’t be produced in Germany.

Italian assembly

The upcoming successor to the Opel Insignia is set to be assembled in Italy. Specifically, it will be manufactured at the Melfi factory, which will continue to produce the Jeep Compass in its next iteration. Three additional models will also be produced at this plant.

DS 9 and DS 7 replacement

Among the new models to be manufactured in Italy is the DS 9, twinned with the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia. Additionally, a replacement for the DS 7 is planned, and it will feature an all-electric powertrain.

Electrification and new platforms

Opel is signaling an all-electric future with concepts like the Manta-e and Experimental, hinting at a fresh design language. These upcoming models are expected to ride on dedicated EV platforms developed by Stellantis.

Revival of Lancia

Stellantis aims to rejuvenate the Lancia brand, which has been reduced to one market (Italy) and a single model (the aging Ypsilon). This revival follows the recent cash injection into another troubled Italian brand, Alfa Romeo. Stellantis is committed to revitalizing brands like DS, Fiat, and Abarth, with new products in the pipeline.

Cost-saving strategy

Stellantis plans to control costs by creating sister cars, similar to the approach used by the VW Group. This strategy aims to spread expenses across multiple brands and enhance efficiency. The rollout of next-generation models is scheduled to begin in 2024 and continue until 2026.

Manufacturing capacity

The Melfi plant in Italy has sufficient manufacturing capacity, having produced 393,000 cars in its peak year of 2015. However, in 2021, it manufactured 163,646 vehicles, making it a suitable location for the production of these new models.