Stellantis Melfi Plant Gears Up for Major Production Increase & Leadership change
The Stellantis plant in San Nicola di Melfi is poised for a significant turnaround, with production slated to jump from 17,600 cars this year to between 150,000 and 200,000 annually starting in 2026. This increase, announced yesterday in a meeting with unions, will begin with the “Jeep Compass” (bhev & Mhev, followed by Phev) and expand to include the new DS7 and Lancia Gamma models (both Mhev & Bhev). Production is expected to peak in February 2026,reaching 15 weekly shifts – a substantial increase from the current single daily shift.
The growth will be accompanied by staffing adjustments, with 100 voluntary departures planned by year-end, bringing the total to 500 as agreed with unions, while current staff numbers stand at 4619.
Union representatives expressed cautious optimism, viewing the news as a positive signal for the region’s automotive sector and related industries. They also urged continued focus on worker training and support for struggling satellite companies.
Alongside the production boost, a change in plant leadership was announced: Engineer Nicola Barbieri will succeed Engineer Nicola Intrevado, who has led the Melfi plant for the past twenty years.
The unions emphasized the need for clear strategies from the EU, the Government, and stellantis to manage the automotive transition and protect employment, while also calling for fair worker rotation and support for related industries facing order scarcity.
