Stellantis Plans To Gradually End Production At Its Melfi Plant

500X, Renegade, and Compass, Will Gradually Be Phased Out, For Next-Gen Vehicles Before 2026...

Robert S. Miller January 6, 2024

Jeep® Renegade on the assembly line at the Melfi Assembly Plant. (Stellantis).

The Stellantis Melfi Assembly Plant in Italy is on the brink of a significant transformation, marking a pivotal shift in its production lineup. This evolution comes as the facility gears up to manufacture five innovative compact electrified vehicles based on the company’s STLA Medium architecture, set to commence production in late 2025.

Fiat 500X on the assembly line at the Melfi Assembly Plant. (Stellantis).

The plant, renowned for producing the Jeep® Compass, Jeep Renegade, and Fiat 500X, is set to bid farewell to its current roster between 2024 and 2026. The transition signals the end of an era for these well-received models, marking a shift towards a new automotive landscape.

Jeep® Renegade in the metrology lab at the Melfi Assembly Plant. (Stellantis).

Amidst this transition, the Melfi facility is anticipated to gradually halt production of the Fiat 500X, Jeep Renegade, and Jeep Compass within the specified timeline. The Fiat 500X will be the first to bid adieu in 2024, followed by the Jeep Renegade a year later. While the future of the Fiat counterpart will be succeeded by the Fiat 600e and the forthcoming Fiat Multipla, the Jeep Renegade’s successor remains under speculation, with possibilities pointing towards production in Spain, although uncertainties linger regarding its nomenclature.

Jeep® Compass 4xe at Melfi Assembly Plant. (Jeep).

As for the Jeep Compass, while the current generation will cease production by 2026, it will not depart from the Melfi plant entirely. The facility anticipates the introduction of the next-generation Compass soon after the current model ends production. The new European market Compass will exclusively electric and built on the STLA Medium platform, maintaining its roots within the Melfi Assembly Plant.

However, despite the promise of five new electric vehicles slated for production, concerns loom among workers and trade union representatives regarding potential job security and the ability of these upcoming models to fill the void left by the outgoing vehicles. The Fiat 500X, Jeep Compass, and Jeep Renegade have carved a significant market share, boasting commendable sales figures not only in Italy but across Europe. Expectations remain high that the forthcoming Stellantis-produced vehicles will continue this streak of success.

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bill burke Jan 06, 2024 #1

Put me in the low expectations camp on this plan and product mix. Melfi will whither on the vine for lack of sales and the all electric plan will be the major contributing factor. Denial and ego are at fault here, as the rest of the world is coming to grips to the reality of free market forces.
Radically altering a group of successful vehicles with an ill conceived plan just to save face or appear progressive thinking is in fact the very definition of mismanagement. As a Stellantis share holder I call for management to immediately abandon this nonsense and develop replacements, clearly.now configured in a way that is popular with consumers, with ICE option replacements that will succeed, be popular and really, truthfully, actually, honestly raise expectations. Right now my expectations for this foolishness is in the toilet.

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MigualA Jan 08, 2024 #2

Now out of the question, to say how could this effect Fiat and even Jeep vehicles sold for the Asian market, where Melfi could export, the Jeep Renegade and Compass sold in markets like Japan and South Korea for example, I do think Jeep vehicles sold in Asian markets and Australia depends on Melfi.

So does this effect Jeep vehicles sold in Asian markets?

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S Stephen345 Jan 08, 2024 #3

Now out of the question, to say how could this effect Fiat and even Jeep vehicles sold for the Asian market, where Melfi could export, the Jeep Renegade and Compass sold in markets like Japan and South Korea for example, I do think Jeep vehicles sold in Asian markets and Australia depends on Melfi.

So does this effect Jeep vehicles sold in Asian markets?

Just confirming that the Renegade is no longer sold in Australia and our current Compass comes from India.

S Stephen345 Jan 08, 2024 #4

Hi Bill, I fully agree with you. I once had dreams for a glorious return of Chrysler Dodge etc to Australia, but have seen that wither and die Jeep is struggling here mainly due to the terrible customer relationship formed by previous management and now the supposed move upmarket with the Jeep being sold as a luxury vehicle! Way too expensive for the average person. RAM is well respected but are a small player with factory backed RHD conversion being completed locally.
Sorry for the rant, just disappointing to see thus all happen.
My 300c Hemi is still running fine, along with my Grand Cherokee, at least I still have them!

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