DAVID BLACKMON: Stellantis Pivots To Diesel – What That Means For Europe’s EV Future

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In what has to be one of the most predictable and sensible corporate U-turns of the decade, Stellantis  – the sprawling auto umbrella that owns Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroën, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Jeep and a dozen other brands — is quietly bringing diesel engines back to life across Europe.

The strategic pivot comes after the company was forced to swallow a staggering £19 billion ($24 billion-plus) hit from its rushed electric vehicle gamble, causing the world’s fourth-largest automaker to decide maybe, just maybe, customers know what they want better than Brussels bureaucrats and Davos visionaries.

Starting late last year, Stellantis began reintroducing diesel powertrains in at least seven models: the Peugeot 308 hatchback, the premium DS 4, the Opel Astra, commercial and passenger vans like the Opel Combo, Peugeot Rifter and Citroën Berlingo, plus continued diesel options in Alfa Romeo’s Tonale, Stelvio and Giulia, and the DS7 SUV. Company spokesmen put it plainly: “We have decided to keep diesel engines in our product portfolio and — in some cases — to increase our powertrain offer. At Stellantis, we want to generate growth; that’s why we are focused on customer demand.” (RELATED: Chinese Carmaker BYD Dethrones Tesla As........

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