Stellantis prepares to revive production at its Melfi plant with upcoming DS7 and Lancia Gamma models, signaling a step toward capacity recovery in Italy
Executive summary: Stellantis’ Melfi plant in Italy is reopening its assembly line, with plans to begin pre‑series production of a new Alfa Romeo SUV in 2027, while Mirafiori and Pomigliano plants will restart operations on 24 August 2026 after extending solidarity contracts for another year. The restart signals a recovery of manufacturing capacity in Italy, supports the launch of new Stellantis models (DS7, Lancia Gamma, Alfa Romeo SUV), and may stabilize employment and supply‑chain activity in the region.
Who is involved: Stellantis (parent company of DS, Lancia, Alfa Romeo), Italian workers represented by solidarity‑contract unions, and local governments overseeing the Melfi, Mirafiori and Pomigliano sites.
Likely next: Finalization of pre‑series tooling for the Alfa Romeo SUV through 2026, commencement of low‑volume production in 2027, and potential further extensions of solidarity contracts at Mirafiori and Pomigliano based on demand trends.
The Il Sole 24 Ore reports that the Melfi assembly unit is reopening, with pre‑series of a new Alfa Romeo SUV slated for 2027 and Mirafiori and Pomigliano set to resume operations on 24 August after their solidarity contracts were extended by a year. This move reflects Stellantis’ effort to restart idle capacity in Italy amid a gradual recovery of European automotive demand. While the restart is modest in scale, it highlights the company’s focus on launching new models and utilizing existing plants to meet forthcoming product launches.
What's next — scenarios
Capacity Rebound & Premium Focus (50%)
Increased operational margins through higher-margin premium model launches (DS/Lancia) in the Italian market.
- Successful pre-series production start of DS7/Lancia Gamma
- Stabilization of labor costs following contract extensions
Stagnant Demand & Underutilization (30%)
Increased overhead per unit as the Melfi restart fails to meet projected volume targets.
- Flat European automotive registration data in Q4
- Lower than expected pre-order volumes for new premium models
Labor & Structural Friction (20%)
Disrupted production schedules due to renewed industrial action despite contract extensions.
- Unexpected strike actions at Mirafiori or Pomigliano
- Failure to meet the August 24th operational resumption deadline
What to watch
- European passenger car registration trends (next 60 days)
- Melfi plant output volume reports (Q4 2024)
- Official Stellantis production guidance updates (next 90 days)
Timeline
- — Melfi verso la ripresa con DS7 e Lancia Gamma (Il Sole 24 Ore — Economia)
Analysis — what this means
Likely next events
- Mirafiori and Pomigliano plants to resume operations on 2026-08-24
- Pre‑series production of new Alfa Romeo SUV to start at Melfi in 2027
- Stellantis to launch DS7 and Lancia Gamma models in European markets following Melfi readiness
Sectors affected
- Automotive manufacturing
- Stellantis vehicle production
- Italian automotive sector
Key entities
Sources
- Melfi verso la ripresa con DS7 e Lancia Gamma — Il Sole 24 Ore — Economia