Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares and President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Mangualde Production Center in Portugal. Stellantis announced that the Fiat Doblò will become the fourth model built on the production line at Mangualde, joining the light commercial vehicle (LCV) line-up of Peugeot Partner, Citroën Berlingo and Opel & Vauxhall Combo.
“We intend to lead the commercial vehicle market and now with the addition of the Fiat Doblò to Mangualde’s portfolio, we will achieve greater efficiency, improve our competitiveness and offer the very best to our professional customers,” said Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares. “We also celebrate our many team members for their commitment to sustainable production with the installation of the solar energy park that will power one-third of the plant’s energy needs once complete. I also want to warmly thank the President for joining me as we honor the automotive industry here in Portugal.”
“It was important to me to be here, together with all of you, to celebrate the 60 years of this plant in Mangualde. This factory has had a unique history, overcoming all kinds of crises and managed to resist, and now reaching the present day with an unparalleled reputation, which places it at the top in terms of quality and efficiency overall. As part of Stellantis, Mangualde represents one of the leaders in the transport and mobility sector, one of the most global in the world,” said Marcelo. “I came here to hear good news, as Stellantis is adding another brand and another model to this factory’s portfolio. And, additionally, the launch of a project that will help Portugal continue leading the climate and energy transition. Congratulations to all!”
Opened in 1962, the Stellantis Production Center in Mangualde has produced 1.5 million vehicles to date. It is a pillar of Portuguese industrial activity and now almost one in every four vehicles produced in Portugal comes from the Mangualde production line.
The plant currently builds the Citroën Berlingo Van/Berlingo, Peugeot Partner/Rifter and Opel & Vauxhall Combo Cargo/Combo Life models – co-elected ‘International Van of the Year 2019’. In 2021, a total of 67,841 vehicles left the Stellantis plant, equivalent to almost a quarter (23.5%) of the total volume of vehicles produced in Portugal.
Planned for October, the Fiat Doblò will become the fourth model built at Mangualde joining the list of 22 models produced at the plant over its 60 years of operation, including the three models that are currently manufactured there. The introduction of the Doblò reinforces Stellantis’ commitment to the Portuguese industry, while also creating even greater efficiency and competitiveness.