Citroën ë-C3 and Peugeot e-3008 face production delays

The delay was first reported by Bloomberg. The news outlet cites unnamed sources familiar with the matter saying that the manufacturer is “behind schedule because of delays with final software checks for use in mass production.”

The affordable EV starts at around 23,000 euros. Deliveries were scheduled to begin in early summer. The carmaker now says that buyers will receive their cars after the “summer break.” Bloomberg adds that Citroën has already received 30,000 orders for the ë-C3 so far, which is built at the Trnava plant in Slovakia.

The Citroën ë-C3 was first introduced in October 2023. It offers a WLTP range of 320 kilometres in the combined cycle and is based on Stellantis’ platform SLTA Small. It uses an 83 kW electric motor and a 44-kWh battery, and can charge with a peak of 100 kW. We have already had a chance to test the upcoming SUV (read the full car review here) and found that it definitely has potential. Especially considering the price. Whether a production delay puts a damper on things remains to be seen, but it is unlikely.

But there is more trouble, insiders report. Apparently production of the Peugeot e-3008 SUV was also delayed due to problems with the powertrain. Shortages for some parts also played a role, but are a thing of the past, Stellantis says. “The Sochaux site will not be at optimal production levels for a few more weeks, and this is normal and under control,” a spokesperson told Bloomberg by email. “Suppliers are also in launch phase, with production and shutdown periods.”

The electric Peugeot is made at the Sochaux factory in France. It was first presented in September 2023 and went on sale earlier this year. It sits on the STLA Medium and promises up to 700 kilometres on one charge.

The delays won’t be without consequences. Bloomberg writes that Stellantis is looking to reduce its workforce. According to its sources, it could cut as many as 1,200 “salaried engineering positions in the US, Europe and China,” as these are considered “high-cost” regions. A final decision on the number of redundancies has apparently not yet been made. Again, the plan has not been officially confirmed.

Update 2 August 2024

A Stellantis spokesperson has denied the rumour that sales of the Citroën ë-C3 will start later due to software problems. The start of deliveries had been planned for Q3.

He did admit that not all software functions had been finalised during the international press test drives in May—these were pre-production models. According to the article, these functions will be made available in the coming weeks.

However, there has been no reaction to the alleged delays with the Peugeot e-3008.

bnnbloomberg.ca, automobilwoche.de (update, in German)