Stellantis suspends vehicle production in Russia

Carmaker Stellantis said on Tuesday it was suspending production at its Russian plant due to logistical difficulties and sanctions imposed on Moscow.

The world's fourth-largest automaker, which produced and sold the Peugeot, Citroёn, Opel, Jeep, and Fiat brands in Russia, has just 1% of the country's car market.

It runs a van-making plant in Kaluga, around 201 km south-east of Moscow, co-owned with Japanese carmaker Mitsubishi, which halted production at the facility earlier this month.

"Given the rapid daily increase in cross sanctions and logistical difficulties, Stellantis has suspended its manufacturing operations in Kaluga to ensure full compliance with all cross sanctions and to protect its employees," Stellantis said in a statement.

Stellantis had already suspended all exports and imports of vehicles with Russia, moving production to western Europe. It had also said it was freezing plans for more investments in the country. Van production in Kaluga had remained just for the local market.