Stellantis’ orders alone accounted for approximately 80% of Symbio’s planned production volume, according to a release published by Michelin.

“Cargo Box” bodies, installed on a light commercial vehicle chassis powered by a battery electric driveline, are now being built in series in a dedicated “body shop” in the Atessa plant.

They will be sold alongside Iveco’s own ‘Daily’ range of large vans, expanding its portfolio in the light commercial vehicle segment.

In her new role, she will report directly to the group’s Chief Operating Officer for “Enlarged Europe”, Jean-Philippe Imparato.

The whole vehicle will be produced entirely on the line at Atessa, which Stellantis said marked a “historic moment” for the facility and “a significant step in sustainable commercial vehicle manufacturing”.

At its stand, Stellantis presented a Fiat ‘E-Ducato’ with a box body and a fuel cell electric version of Opel's ‘Movano’ large van range.

It is a 26,000-square-metre facility capable of producing up to 16,000 units per year; following a planned expansion to 40,000 square metres, it will be capable of producing 50,000 units.

Stellantis is selling the facelifted vans, based on the long-running ‘Ducato’ line, under four brand names: Fiat, Citroën, Opel/Vauxhall and Peugeot.

Daimler Trucks has been involved in the Chinese joint venture for more than a decade; this is the first time a Mercedes-Benz-badged Actros will roll off a producion there.

Element 25 has agreed to supply manganese sulphate monohydrate to Stellantis over five years, beginning in 2026 – providing a total of 45 kilotons, which will be used in the manufacture of battery cells for Stellantis’ electric vehicles.

'Mobilisights’ will have exclusive access to data taken from connected vehicles sold under the group’s many brands, which it will sell to third parties such as government, utility companies, and research institutions.

The Dutch automotive corporation has entered negotiations to acquire a substantial stake in the Michelin-Faurecia joint venture and expects to complete the transaction within the first six months of 2023.