The long-standing Fiat car factory in Bielsko-Biała, Poland, operational since 1948 and renowned for producing the iconic Fiat 126p "Maluch," is set to close, resulting in the loss of over

450 jobs. A trade union attributes this closure to EU regulations concerning vehicle emissions.

The FCA Powertrain plant in Bielsko-Biała, owned by Stellantis, the merger of Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot Citroën, has announced its liquidation. During the communist era, the state-owned facility manufactured cars under Fiat licenses, notably the celebrated "Maluch." After privatization in 1992, Fiat assumed control of the plant.

Wanda Stróżyk, chairwoman of the Solidarity trade union representing Polish Fiat workers, expressed expectations of the closure, noting the prior dismissal of 300 employees last year. Another union, the Metalworkers Trade Union (ZZPM), attributed the liquidation to European Commission regulations on internal combustion engine emissions and declining engine orders, resulting in the layoff of the entire 468-member workforce from February to December 2024.

Amidst these developments, FCA Powertrain's management pledged to collaborate with trade unions to ensure favorable conditions for the affected employees' career transitions. Stellantis offered employment opportunities at its other Polish production sites to former Bielsko-Biała plant workers expressing interest.

The FCA Powertrain, established in 2003 by Fiat and General Motors, has produced over 7.3 million engines, including award-winning models like the 1.3-liter MultiJet turbodiesel engine in 2005 and the TwinAir engine in 2011.

The closure, seemingly attributed to the Fiat Chrysler-PSA merger forming Stellantis, raises questions about the future of Polish automotive factories. Despite assurances during the merger announcement that no factories would close, the subsequent shutdown of PSA's passenger car factory in Gliwice in 2021 contradicted these promises.

This closure adds to a series of announcements by various vehicle manufacturers shuttering factories in Poland, including Scania and Volvo Buses. However, Poland's growing success as a hub for electric vehicle production has seen significant investments from companies like Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen. Photo by Archiwum fotograficzne Lecha Zielaskowskiego, Wikimedia commons.