Fiat production in Italy disrupted as Stellantis faces component shortage
A shortage of an electronic component used in an engine control unit has disrupted production at two Stellantis sites in Italy, affecting volumes of Fiat models including the Pandina and the 500.
Fiat 500 production has been temporarily halted at Stellantis Mirafiori plant in Italy since October 19
Stellantis
At the beginning of November, Stellantis confirmed in an Italian-language press release that a shortage of a supplier component intended for the N3 GSE engine control unit had caused serious production stoppages affecting certain Fiat models. The engine is used in the Fiat Pandina, manufactured at Stellantis' Pomigliano d'Arco plant near Naples, and the Fiat 500, produced at its Mirafiori plant in Turin.
Pandina volumes were particularly affected by the disruption to production, the company noted. Stellantis has said that it is working together with its suppliers to restore full production as an urgent priority, but warned that the supply difficulties could continue to affect output at Pomigliano d'Arco and Mirafiori throughout November and December.
The production disruption weighed on Fiat's market performance in Italy in October, with the brand's share of the passenger car market falling to 9.3%, from 11.4% in September. Fiat recorded 12,259 registrations during the month, including 7,198 Pandinas – which remained Italy's best-selling car despite the production constraints. While Fiat's market share was marginally higher than in October 2025, Stellantis said the shortage had prevented it from producing the number of vehicles planned for the month, with a particularly significant impact on Pandina volumes.
Stellantis noted that he temporary reduction in production volumes could also affect some of the group's Italian plants involved in manufacturing engine components, where temporary suspensions of activities may become necessary. The N3 GSE engine is assembled at Stellantis' Termoli plant on Italy's Adriatic coast, although the company has not confirmed whether this particular facility has been affected by the component shortage.
A production stoppage at Stellantis' Mirafiori plant, initially attributed to weak demand for the Fiat 500 and scheduled to last from October 19 to October 30, has now been extended, in part due to the component shortage, according to several Italian workers' unions. In a September statement announcing the initial planned production suspension, Stellantis had cited difficult market conditions and declining vehicle affordability as factors affecting production at Mirafiori.
Three unions in Italy – FIOM-CGIL, FIM-CISL and UILM – recently confirmed to Reuters that workers assigned to the Mirafiori plant's Fiat 500 production lines will remain on furlough until November 20, while some other activities, including Special Vehicle, RG Premium and Maserati-related operations, will continue.
Looking ahead, the production outlook for the Mirafiori plant remains uncertain. Italian newspaper MF reported on November 12 that it expected the plant to resume Fiat 500 production for just two weeks, from November 23 to December 4, before stopping again until 2027.
Igor Albera, secretary of metalworkers' union FIM-CISL for Turin and Canavese, told Reuters that he considered the report credible, adding that two weeks of production would be sufficient to cover the current order book for both the hybrid and electric Fiat 500. Stellantis has not confirmed this production schedule, however, stating that plans are being assessed on a week-by-week basis as it works to restore normal operations.
Automotive Logistics has contacted Stellantis for further comment and will continue to provide updates surrounding this disruption.
