European deliveries rise 10% on Leapmotor and EV lineup
Stellantis reported Tuesday that its third-quarter global vehicle shipments fell an estimated 1% year-over-year to about 1.29 million units, as planned summer production shutdowns in North America and weakness in Turkey offset growth across its European electric-vehicle lineup.
North America was the largest drag on the quarter. Stellantis shipped roughly 47,000 fewer vehicles in the region than in the same quarter a year earlier — a 12% decline — with planned production downtime concentrated on Jeep models including the Grand Cherokee and Compass.
Ram was the exception within North America. Stellantis said Ram shipments rose, attributing demand to its V8-powered Ram light-duty truck and the new Ram 1500 TRX SRT.
European deliveries climbed by 54,000 vehicles, a 10% year-over-year gain. Stellantis said growth came from the Citroen C3 and C3 Aircross, the Opel Frontera, the Fiat Grande Panda, the new Fiat 500 Hybrid, the Jeep Compass and electric light commercial vehicles. Leapmotor-branded vehicles also contributed, with shipments rising 34,000 units to about 44,000 vehicles. Stellantis operates a joint venture with the Chinese EV maker to sell and produce Leapmotor vehicles outside China.
The Middle East and Africa region was the weakest market in the quarter, with shipments falling 21%. Stellantis attributed the decline to the regional conflict, weaker market conditions and reduced Turkey shipments tied to the planned launch of local small-van production. Asia Pacific shipments dropped 6%, while South America was flat.