The European auto industry continues to face major challenges, with factory closures and job losses becoming increasingly common.
Rising costs, shifting market demands, and the transition to greener technologies have put pressure on manufacturers across the continent.
The latest example is the closure of the FCA Powertrain factory in Bielsko-Biała, Poland, a site with over two decades of history in engine production.
Produced More Than 7.3 Million Engines.
The plant officially shut down in early 2024 after a phased process of workforce reductions throughout 2023. Initially, 300 employees lost their jobs, followed by an additional 470 workers.
Some were offered positions at other factories owned by Stellantis, the parent company of FCA Powertrain, but many were left without options.
Since its opening in 2003, the Bielsko-Biała factory produced more than 7.3 million diesel and gasoline engines, according to WP.
These units powered vehicles from brands like Fiat, Jeep, GM, and Suzuki. Known for its advanced technology, the factory played a significant role in the Stellantis manufacturing network. However, its operations have now ceased.
The machinery from the plant has been dismantled and shipped overseas to Stellantis’s factory in Betim, Brazil. There, production of the same engine lines will continue.
The closure leaves only a small administrative team at the site in Poland, marking the end of a significant chapter in the region's industrial history.
The property itself has been sold to DL Invest Group, a real estate developer based in Katowice, Poland, for an estimated €25 million.
The company plans to redevelop the area into a modern office complex, a dramatic transformation from its industrial roots.
