Historic French Engine Factory Closes After 57 Years of Production
The iconic Stellantis plant in Douvrin, formerly known as Française de Mécanique, has officially ceased operations as the automotive industry shifts toward electric vehicles.
The legendary Stellantis manufacturing facility in Douvrin, France, widely known by its historic name Française de Mécanique, permanently shut down its machinery on Friday, October 30. Operating for 57 years, the plant served as a major symbol of industrial reconversion in the Pas-de-Calais mining basin, producing more than 52 million engines over its lifetime.
Established in 1969 through an unusual strategic partnership between historic French automotive rivals Peugeot and Renault, the facility was designed to revitalize the region following the closure of local coal mines. At its peak during the 1970s and 1980s, the 140-hectare site operated continuously around the clock, employing nearly 6,800 workers who manufactured up to 10,400 engine blocks daily.
Among the most notable creations forged within the factory walls was the iconic TU engine. Launched in 1986, the small four-cylinder engine powered a significant portion of the French vehicle market for nearly three decades, with more than 15.6 million units assembled until its retirement in 2013.
The transition away from the golden age of thermal engines began with workforce reductions starting in the 1990s. Stellantis eventually became the sole owner of the site in 2014, orchestrating a planned shutdown as part of the broader automotive shift toward 100 percent electric mobility.
Former workers expressed profound sadness over the closure of the plant, which many described as having a strong community atmosphere. Henri Davroux, an 81-year-old former operator who started at the factory in 1970, shared his sorrow with local media, stating, "It was really a good company, very familial. When we go back there today and see what it has become, you want to cry."
The physical site is now giving way to the ACC battery gigafactory, a massive industrial project backed by 1.3 billion euros in public subsidies and co-owned with Mercedes and TotalEnergies. Although the company stated that none of the remaining 1,500 employees from 2021 were left without options, the reality of transitioning workers proved difficult.
Only 348 former mechanical workers successfully transitioned to the new facility, facing challenges in shifting from traditional thermal engine machining to the specialized chemistry and electronics required for battery cell production. Labor representatives criticized the transition, pointing to the difficulties of retraining older manufacturing personnel, even as the new battery plant ramps up its operations.