Stellantis Invites Chinese Workers to Transform Its French Plant

Stellantis is preparing to invite a workforce from China to assist in the setup of a new paint shop at its facility in eastern France. The recruitment process is scheduled for between March 2025 and January 2026 and may bring in 100 to 200 skilled technicians. These workers will focus on installing machines and technology, which includes a significant portion sourced from China. The initiative aims to enhance the facility’s efficiency, targeting a 30% reduction in power usage and halving water consumption. To date, around 30 visa applications have been submitted, which are necessary for the one-year work period to support the commissioning of the new production line. Despite the challenging visa process, Stellantis acknowledges the importance of having a skilled workforce for this ambitious project. This recruitment marks a growing trend of collaborations between Western companies and Chinese technologies in the automotive sector, as Stellantis has previously utilized Chinese equipment in other projects. The group is working with an Italian company for the paint shop's development, engaging additional local and French partners for the integration and automation processes.