Stellantis considers more low-cost EVs like the Citroën ë-C3

According to Automotive News, “around” seven models could be based on the architecture, which will be implemented in addition to the group’s four pure electric platforms Small, Medium, Large and Frame. Stellantis is thinking primarily of electric cars, but combustion engine versions are also possible.

Stellantis is planning to introduce a larger version of the Citroën ë-C3 and models from at least two other Stellantis brands from 2024 – but it is not clear by how much a “larger version” would tower over the 4.01-metre-long ë-C3. Asked if the new Fiat Panda, expected around mid-2024, would be one of them, Stellantis head for the Smart Car platform Renaud Tourte told the portal that it was “not completely foolish to think that.” No wonder: after all, Fiat brand boss Olivier Francois told Bloomberg in August that they would offer an electric Fiat for 25,000 euros in July 2024 – with the technology of a small electric car from one of the French Stellantis brands coming to market even earlier. That would be the ë-C3 presented this week.

Opel is also planning an electric model in the range of about 25,000 euros – and could use this platform. However, details have yet to be made public. Thus, whether the models derived from the ë-C3 will come with the same electric drive or a certain variance is possible is still open.

CMP Smart Car is derived from the well-known e-CMP

Given the Stellantis Group’s platform logic, it was unlikely that the ë-C3 would remain a stand-alone model anyway. Unlike the electric Fiat 500, on which no other model has been based, the CMP Smart Car appears capable of low-cost production. It probably also helps that the CMP Smart Car (as the name suggests) is not a new development but is derived from the existing CMP platform.

Tourte added that the CMP Smart Car platform will be industrialised at the Trnava plant in Slovakia, but could also be introduced at other plants, either in Europe or Morocco. Models on the “big” CMP will be built in various European plants of the group, for example, in Tychy, Poland (including the Jeep Avenger and Fiat 600e) or in Figueruelas near Zaragoza, Spain (including the Opel Corsa).

Stellantis will also expand its product portfolio of larger vehicles, as the carmaker officially announced a commercial vehicle offensive. On the following Monday (23 October), as part of the launch of its expanded “Pro One” commercial vehicle strategy for the brands Citroën, Fiat, Opel, Peugeot, Ram and Vauxhall, the group will unveil a completely revamped van model range featuring “second-generation zero-emission powertrains, a unique hydrogen solution, full connectivity, and top-level autonomous driving assistance systems,” Stellantis explains in advance. These vehicles are expected to offer more range “more range without compromising the capabilities offered by internal combustion versions.” The company has yet to give concrete values. But those should be available next week when the models premiere.

At the same time, the company says it is repositioning its North American product line-up with future electrified vans and pickups, including the Ram ProMaster EV and 2025 Ram 1500 REV.

The commercial vehicle division accounts for one-third of Stellantis’ net sales, with 1.6 million units sold annually. It is the “undisputed leader in Commercial BEVs in Enlarged Europe with more than 40% market share.”

autonews.com (small cars), stellantis.com (commercial vehicles)