Stellantis unveils new platform for new strategy plan

Contents

A technical basis replaces five: STLA ONE

Stellantis presented the new five-year strategy plan, “FaSTLAne 2030,” with a play on words in its name, at its Investor Day in Auburn Hills (Michigan). The investment volume is around 60 billion euros. The centerpiece of the hoped-for overtaking program is the new modular vehicle architecture STLA One, which is set to be used in the first vehicles in 2027.

As Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa explains, around 50 percent of global vehicle volume is to be accounted for by three global technical platforms by 2030. More than 24 billion euros – about 40 percent of total research and investment expenditure – are to flow into the development of new platforms, drive systems, and technologies.

STLA One replaces five platforms

The new STLA One architecture is intended to become a scalable solution for five previously separate platforms. It covers the best-selling European vehicle segments B, C, and D – from small cars and compact cars to mid-size cars, including crossovers and SUVs in each case.

Stellantis relies on an 800-volt architecture for fast DC charging and high efficiency. The technical basis supports battery-electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and range extender drive types. According to Stellantis, each drive variant is to be optimized “per energy by design,” meaning with packaging, cooling, and crash structures tailored to the respective drive type. STLA One also integrates the first Stellantis platform from the outset with a zonal electronic architecture with over-the-air updates (“STLA Brain”), brand-specific infotainment (“STLA SmartCockpit”), and steer-by-wire. The latter eliminates conventional mechanical steering columns and opens up new interior concepts.

Economies of scale through high parts commonality

The economic goals are ambitious: Stellantis aims for a cost reduction of 20 percent compared to previous architectures, driven by modularity, standardized interfaces, and new battery concepts. Up to 70 percent of the components are to be reused across models. By 2035, STLA One is to serve as a “mega-platform” for more than 30 model series and enable over two million vehicles per year.

The platform is particularly relevant for the European market: brands such as Peugeot, Opel, Citroën, Fiat, and Alfa Romeo traditionally serve high volumes there in precisely the segments that STLA One covers. Models such as the Peugeot 208 or 308, the Opel Corsa or Astra, and compact crossovers and mid-size cars could potentially be based on the architecture; however, Stellantis has not yet named specific model names.

Over 60 new launches by 2030

In total, Stellantis plans more than 60 new models and 50 major updates across all brands and drive types by 2030. The drive distribution reflects a multi-energy approach: 29 BEVs, 15 plug-in hybrids or range extenders, 24 hybrids, and 39 vehicles with classic internal combustion engines or mild hybrids. Around 70 percent of investments are to flow into the four global core brands Jeep, Ram, Peugeot, and Fiat, as well as the Pro One commercial vehicle division. Brands such as Opel, Citroën, and Alfa Romeo are to benefit more from their respective local roots on the global platform.

(fpi)