Stellantis is reportedly preparing to invest more than €1 billion to produce a new van at its Hordain plant in northern France, as the automaker reshapes its European manufacturing footprint and strengthens its commercial vehicle business. According to Bloomberg, the investment would upgrade the existing facility and include research and development spending elsewhere in France, with people familiar with the plans saying the project is part of a broader overhaul of the company’s European operations. Stellantis has not publicly confirmed the reported investment at Hordain.
The proposed investment is expected to increase automation at Hordain and bring some manufacturing processes currently handled by suppliers back inside the plant. The move would build on Hordain’s established role in Stellantis’ commercial vehicle network, where the company already produces medium sized vans under several brands. Stellantis has also confirmed that Hordain is part of its European van production network for electric commercial vehicles, including vehicles supplied to Iveco under a 2025 agreement.
The potential investment comes as Stellantis Pro One pursues an aggressive expansion of its commercial vehicle operations. The company said in May that the division sold approximately 1.65 million units globally in 2025 and plans to introduce 11 new models by 2030, including two new generations of vans and new multi energy platforms. Stellantis is targeting 30% volume growth for Pro One by 2030, while the division already ranks first in Europe and South America and second in the Middle East and Africa. The strategy reflects growing pressure on global manufacturers to combine electric vehicle investment with more flexible production systems and stronger commercial vehicle offerings.
For France, the reported Hordain investment would provide another significant commitment to domestic automotive manufacturing at a time when European carmakers face intense competition, high production costs and the rapid transition towards lower emission vehicles. It would also strengthen Stellantis’ ability to serve European commercial vehicle markets from within the region while supporting its broader push towards automation and multi energy platforms. The key issue for investors and policymakers will now be whether Stellantis formally confirms the project, the final investment value, production timeline and employment implications, particularly as the company balances its European industrial base against increasingly competitive global manufacturing conditions.
