Stellantis weighs producing ethanol hybrid vehicle in Brazil

SAO PAULO, March 4 (Reuters) – Stellantis (STLA.MI) is considering the manufacturing and sale of a hybrid auto run by electrical energy and ethanol in Brazil by 2025, and plans to launch a new brand in the region this yr, the company’s main operating officer for South The united states stated on Friday.

Antonio Filosa mentioned the firm ideas to start 16 new versions and 7 electrical and hybrid designs in the region by 2025, in a system that aims to enhance French brands Peugeot and Citroen without having dropping sight of Fiat and Jeep’s sector management.

“All around 2025, if anything goes suitable, we could begin proposing this style of technology,” Filosa reported when questioned about a possible start in 2026. He extra, nonetheless, that the firm even now does not have a definitive timeframe.

“Ethanol is very suitable in Brazil and much less so in other Latin American nations, but it is setting up to attain relevance in other nations around the world these types of as India,” explained the executive, underlining that the enhancement of the ethanol hybrid would initial concentrate on the Brazilian current market.

Filosa also mentioned Stellantis is planning the launch of a new manufacturer in the region – the group at this time works with 7 brand names in South The united states – but did not affirm which a person.

“You will know afterwards this year. It starts off with an ‘A’, but it is not Alfa Romeo,” the government reported. In Stellantis’ brand name portfolio, the only other brand name that has the initial letter “A” is Italy’s Abarth.

Reporting by Alberto Alerigi Jr. Crafting by Peter Frontini modifying by Jonathan Oatis

Our Criteria: The Thomson Reuters Trust Ideas.