Stellantis has decided to advance vacations for its personnel at the El Palomar plant in Buenos Aires until January 2026, amid a 30% drop in 0 km car sales in November. The measure includes maintenance tasks during December. The company assures it does not affect its investment plans in Argentina.
Stellantis announced that personnel at its El Palomar plant in Buenos Aires province will take vacation leave during December. "During that period, maintenance and industrial system conditioning tasks will be carried out, with normal production resumption scheduled from January 5, 2026," states the company's official communiqué.
The plant produces models such as Peugeot 208, 2008, and Partner, as well as Citroën Berlingo. In September, hybrid versions of Peugeot 208 and 2008 for the Brazilian market began production. Company sources told Perfil that this decision does not compromise plans in Argentina, with investments exceeding US$ 300 million in the Buenos Aires facility. Production will end the year at 75,000 vehicles, surpassing the 70,000 of 2024.
The announcement comes amid a slump in automotive sector sales. According to the Asociación de Concesionarios de Automotores de la República Argentina (ACARA), November saw 32,905 0 km cars patented, 3.6% fewer than the 36,220 in November 2024 and 33.2% fewer than the 51,982 in October. Year-to-date over eleven months, sales totaled 587,666 units, a 49.7% increase from the same period in 2024.
ACARA president Alejandro Beato remarked: "The nearly 35,000 units patented in November is a good number; remember we had two fewer business days and that this month, along with December, are historically the lowest of the year." He added there is good activity in dealerships and anticipates progress on labor, tax issues, and more convenient credit rates to boost the sector.
The first source also mentions an advanced production stop at the Córdoba factory, where Cronos, Titano, and RAM Dakota are made, though details focus on El Palomar.