Stellantis is still reviewing plans for a proposed manufacturing plant in South Africa's Eastern Cape province and expects to make a decision in the coming months, the company's local manager said on Tuesday.
The automaker announced plans in 2023 to build a greenfield factory in the coastal city of Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth, its first plant in South Africa, with the original intention of producing only the Peugeot Landtrek pickup truck.
The plant was originally due to be completed last year, but the plans are being reworked to support multiple models as export economics and consumer preferences change.
"We certainly have not stopped that process. We put it on pause," South Africa managing director Mike Whitfield told reporters at a press conference outlining the Middle East and Africa section of the group's €60 billion ($68.47 billion) global strategy unveiled in May.
"We've seen the market changing significantly with the advent of Asian players, the buy down to below R400 000," Whitfield said.
