On October 30, 2026, Stellantis closed its long-running engine plant in Douvrin, France, ending 57 years of production and over 52 million engines made. The factory was well known for building the 1.2L PureTech three-cylinder engine, which faced reliability concerns over the years. Despite the closure, the 1.2L engine is not discontinued. Instead, its production has already shifted to facilities in Hungary and Morocco.
Hungarian Factory Becomes Key Engine Hub
The site in Szentgotthárd, Hungary, now produces the 1.2L EB2 engine, alongside the 1.6L EP6 unit. This plant has grown into a strategic center for Stellantis’ European gasoline engines. Since 2020, the Hungarian factory has produced over 2 million engines and supplies parts to 13 Stellantis vehicle plants. The facility can manufacture up to 460,000 three-cylinder engines yearly. Additionally, since mid-2024, it has started making the 1.6L engine used in plug-in hybrids, targeting 220,000 units annually.
Morocco Expands to Support Engine Production
Far from Europe, Stellantis’ Kenitra plant in Morocco has also taken over a major role. A large expansion completed in July 2025 boosted its engine production capacity from 100,000 to 350,000 units each year. Since May 2025, the site has assembled a new generation of the 1.2L EB2 engine and will begin machining operations in November 2026 to increase its industrial capabilities. Morocco now serves as the group’s second major production base for this engine type, alongside Hungary. The plant also produces the Fiat Grizzly, which uses this three-cylinder engine.
The PureTech Engine Evolves but Continues in Use
Stellantis has worked to move past the earlier 1.2L PureTech engines, which had issues such as timing belt failures. The latest third-generation EB2 engine has seen technical upgrades, including a timing chain on hybrid variants, improving its durability. Stellantis’ CEO, Antonio Filosa, publicly apologized to affected customers shortly before the Douvrin plant closed.
The shutdown of the Douvrin factory marks the end of the 1.2L engine’s production in France, not the engine itself. Continuing production in Hungary and Morocco ensures the three-cylinder engine remains available for current and future European models.
Source: italpassion.fr