PARIS (Reuters) – Stellantis has informed unions and Austrian authorities of its intention to phase out production of manual gearboxes at Vienna-Aspern, a spokesman for the automotive group said on Wednesday, as a result of the cars tipping to electric.
The manufacturer born of the merger between PSA and FCA will now initiate discussions to support the 300 employees of the Austrian site, added this spokesperson, confirming information from APA (Austria Presse Agentur).
The Austrian plant, inherited from Opel, produces six-speed manual gearboxes, a technology in decline with the rise of automatic transmissions for electric or hybrid vehicles.
The production of manual gearboxes will continue on the other hand on the French site of Valenciennes (North).
When Stellantis was created, the group promised that no factories would close as a result of the merger. Asked about this point, the manufacturer’s spokesperson replied that it was still true but that the closure of Aspern was explained by economic reasons related to electrification.
(Gilles Guillaume report, edited by Bertrand Boucey)
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