The Stellantis factory in Sochaux (Doubs), faced with major logistical problems in the shipment of its vehicles, is forced to store some of its cars at the disused airfield of Lure-Malbouhans (Haut-Saone). This is what management announced on Wednesday.
Indeed, the vehicles have been “lightened” for a few days at this aerodrome “to speed up their distribution in local markets,” said a spokeswoman for the factory. The car parks at the venue are currently saturated due to significant logistical problems related to the shortage of drivers in Europe.
Manufacturers also face “port congestion and instability in rail transport,” management at Stellantis Sochaux said last week.
A vehicle transit point
A situation that is all the more visible in Sochaux as the site is a hub for vehicles manufactured elsewhere by the group, in particular from Rennes and Trnava (Slovakia).
The automaker, born from the merger of PSA and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in January 2021, is also currently reviewing its vehicle shipping logistics, now turning to diversified players and not just one operator, which was Gefco.
The Lure-Malbouhans aerodrome, with an area of 242 hectares, is a former NATO standard military site, inactive since 1997 and sold to the Haute-Saône departmental council in 2005.
“Enhanced Security”
“Reinforced security” has been implemented at the site, management of the auto group said.
Local dealers also collect the vehicles directly from the Sochaux site to ensure shipments. At the same time, the factory’s production remains strong and orders continue “thanks to the success of our vehicles”, the management rejoices.
The Sochaux site, which acquired a new assembly line earlier in the year, produces 1,100 cars per day and is soon aiming for a cruising speed of 1,200 vehicles per day.
We observe “a very good operating performance”, according to the management spokesperson, which nevertheless reinforces the congestion.
Source: BFM TV
