ELLESMERE PORT, England -- Stellantis said it will build full-electric versions of its Opel/Vauxhall Combo, Peugeot Partner and Citroen Berlingo small vans at its factory in Ellesmere Port, northwest England.
The automaker will spend 100 million pounds ($138 million) to convert the factory for electric-vehicle production starting at the end of 2022, it said on Tuesday in a statement.
The plant will become the first in the Stellantis production network to build only electric vehicles.
The decision secures the future of the plant, which has been uncertain since Stellantis decided to move production of the new-generation Astra Tourer station wagon from Ellesmere Port to Opel's home factory in Ruesselsheim, Germany.
The electric vans will be built in Ellesmere Port for the UK and for export to continental Europe. The factory will produce light commercial versions with side panels and passenger versions with up to seven seats.