Stellantis & Nidec to build first electric drives in 2022

Stellantis has provided an update on the transformation of its Trémery and Metz plants to manufacture powertrain components for electrified vehicles. For example, at Trémery, formerly the largest diesel engine plant, production of electric motors will begin this year as part of the Emotors joint venture with Nidec.

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The production of the joint venture that was established in 2018, is to be increased to more than one million units by 2024. The joint venture’s first electric motor is called M3 and will debut in an as-yet-unspecified Stellantis BEV model in late 2022. The M3 is designed to operate at 400 volts with an output of 115 kW.

This means that the vehicle could be the Peugeot e-308, for example – reports have already mentioned an output of 115 kW for its BEV version. Of course, platform siblings of the e-308 are also possible, such as the new e-408 or the Opel Astra, which according to Stellantis will be offered as a BEV from 2023.

The 100 kW drive that Stellantis currently offers in its models based on the e-CMP or EMP2 still comes from the German supplier Vitesco Technologies. It is not yet clear whether this drive will continue to be installed (for example in the small cars) or will be completely replaced by the M3.

At the Metz plant, meanwhile, the focus is on the production of dual-clutch transmissions (eDCT) for hybrid vehicles as part of the e-transmissions joint venture with Punch Powertrain. The plant is expected to increase its annual production capacity to about 600,000 eDCT transmissions by 2024. The eDCT is available with two levels of electrification at 48 volts and 320 volts.

“Trémery-Metz is a prime example of how we are executing our manufacturing transformation, both in France and across our global operations,” said Carlos Tavares, Stellantis CEO. “We have now created a new global value chain with trusted partners, including five gigafactories, to support our global EV battery strategy and propel our Dare Forward 2030 targets. I want to warmly thank our social partners, local stakeholders and our highly skilled employees for their collaboration as we ramp up production at Trémery-Metz and manufacture our electrified future.”

Update 20 December 2022

Stellantis has started production of electric drive systems at its former largest diesel engine plant in Trémery as part of the Emotors joint venture with Nidec. Production capacity is expected to reach more than 1 million units annually by 2024. The first electric motor will be called M3 and has an output of 115 kW. From January 2023, it will initially be used in the new DS 3 E-Tense, Peugeot e-308, Jeep Avenger and Opel Mokka Electric, and Astra Electric.

“Controlling our electrification value chain will ensure our technological independence in the context of economic and geopolitical crises while mitigating the impact of this dramatic change for our sites and employees, particularly in France where we are and will undoubtedly remain the commercial and industrial leader,” said Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares.

stellantis.com, stellantis.com (update)