Stellantis Project E-Car will Build Small, Affordable EVs
Stellantis, the group company for many European and American brands, is making a concerted effort to produce small, affordable electric cars, with the first E-Cars expected to launch in 2028.
It’s no coincidence that Stellantis has chosen to take a position with launching small cars given its back catalogue from its many European brands that has produced some of the best small cars over the last 40 years.
On the back of this shift to small electrification is the European Commission’s proposal for a Small Affordable Cars initiative to tackle the lack of cheap, compact vehicles in the European market.
By introducing a new "M1E" vehicle sub-category the European Commission states vehicles must be under 4.2 meters in length and built in the EU, with the aim of stimulating small car sales priced between €15,000 and €20,000.
Stellantis’ huge back catalogue is ripe for exploiting and returning - not just affordable transport - but bringing enthusiasm, excitement and even some fun back with entertaining cars filled with style and character centered on a new era with a new technology powering them.
There’s even potential to revive some of the best oldies, such as the Citroen 2CV, a small Fiat Panda that sits below the Grande Panda, a Fiat 126, an all-new Peugeot 106 replacement and a Citroen Saxo VTR, for example. There’s even potential to see the return of the Vauxhall Nova to sit below the Corsa.
The small car segment - along with estate cars, MPV’s and coupe’s - is at risk of dying out to SUVs which is now the dominant force on our roads throughout Europe and beyond. There is nothing wrong with SUVs, but the lack of choice is growing and its evident.
Stellantis may have that secret sauce to draw from, injecting back into an ailing segment desirable, small cars with a large twist of affordability.
Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa commented: “The E-Car is a concept that finds its natural match in the small car success that runs deep in our European Stellantis DNA. Our customers are calling for a revival of small, stylish vehicles, proudly produced in Europe, which are also affordable and environmentally friendly. Stellantis is answering their call with exciting new models for multiple brands. Production is expected to start in 2028 in our Pomigliano (Italy) plant.”
Stellantis said its E-Car models will have cutting-edge design coupled by world-class BEV technologies. And this is being developed with selected partners who are all aligned to achieving affordability with a focus on an accelerated time-to-market deployment.
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About the Author
Graeme Cobb is a lifelong car enthusiast with a passion for writing about cars, EVs, industry updates and more.
You can find Graeme on 𝕏 at @graeme_cobb or YouTube @REV-EV.