Stellantis Group reintroduces diesel engine to save sales in Europe

Stellantis Group reintroduces diesel engines in Europe in response to customer demand

In a twist worthy of a movie script, auto giant Stellantis has decided to take a step back from radical electric power. After years of the industry trying to bury diesel under a mountain of post-Dieselgate regulations, economic reality has hit hard: European consumers still want torque, range and long-distance efficiency.

The result? A strategic reintroduction of diesel units into the portfolio of iconic brands such as Opel, Peugeot and Citroën.

A decision dictated by numbers, not ideology

Stellantis' announcement comes not out of nostalgia for the fossil fuel era, but out of dire financial necessity. The group recently reported colossal losses, estimated at over 22 billion euros, largely caused by an overly optimistic transition to electrification.

While charging infrastructure in Europe remains patchy and electric car (EV) prices are still prohibitive for the middle class, diesel has remained the “unsung hero” of commercial fleets and commuters.

    "We are focused on customer demand. As Stellantis, we want to generate growth," the group's representatives said in a statement that marks a clear change in discourse.

Who are the beneficiaries of the "Diesel Renaissance"?

Stellantis' strategy is a two-tiered one: expanding the range for volume brands and strengthening the position for premium brands.

Brand	Confirmed/Targeted Models	Strategic Context
Peugeot & Citroën	Compact models and SUVs	Reintroducing BlueHDi engines to regain market share in high-volume segments.
Opel	Astra and Grandland	Adapting to the German market, where diesel remains a top choice for corporate fleets.
Alfa Romeo	Tonale, Giulia, Stelvio	Maintaining performance and long-range autonomy for high-mileage drivers.
DS Automobiles	DS 7	Combining French luxury refinement with long-distance efficiency.

The European Paradox: Between Euro 7 and Showroom Reality

Although the European Union is pushing emissions limits through new standards, modern diesel engines are cleaner than ever, using complex filtration systems and AdBlue to neutralize nitrogen oxides (NOx).

Stellantis's setback signals a broader trend in the industry: pragmatism. Manufacturers are starting to realize that forcing the elimination of combustion engines before the market is ready could lead to financial collapse. By offering a mixed range (Electric, Hybrid and Diesel), Stellantis hopes to cover its losses and provide a smoother transition to a green future.

Stellantis Group's presence on the Romanian market in 2025-2026

On the Romanian market, the Stellantis group (which brings together brands such as Peugeot, Citroën, Opel, Fiat, Jeep, Alfa Romeo or DS) navigates in a context full of challenges, but also strategic opportunities. Although it does not dominate the volume charts like Dacia or the Volkswagen group, Stellantis relies on diversity and specific segments.

Unlike the markets of France or Italy, where Stellantis is fighting for 1st place, in Romania the group occupies a more discreet position in the overall ranking of new car registrations:

• Consolidated sales: The Group ended 2024 with approximately 6,000 units sold, a figure below the performance of individual brands such as Ford or Toyota.
• Top Brands: In 2025, although the Romanian market grew by about 3.8% (reaching over 156,000 units), Stellantis brands were rather "niche players" or fleet players.
• The star of the group: Citroën C3 remained one of the group's most popular models in Romania, managing to sporadically appear in the monthly sales charts in the B segment, competing with models such as Dacia Sandero or Renault Clio.

If the fight is tough in the passenger car segment, Stellantis is a major force in Romania on the light commercial vehicle market.

• The Peugeot Boxer, Citroën Jumper and Fiat Ducato models are extremely popular among courier and distribution companies.
• The market share in the utility segment is much more solid (estimated at over 15-20% at group level), far exceeding the performance of passenger cars.

Indicator	Status	Explanation
Passenger Car Sales	Modest	Struggling to compete with Dacia and rising Asian brands (Toyota, MG).
Commercial Vehicles	Strong	Market leaders in the Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV/Van) segment.
Electric Vehicles (EV)	Declining	Following the local trend of cooling interest in EVs during 2025.
2026 Outlook	Optimistic	Reintroducing diesel and new hybrid models is expected to boost market share.

Conclusion

The return to diesel is not an abandonment of electrification, but a safety net. In a world where the consumer decides with his wallet, Stellantis has chosen to listen to the voice of the market at the expense of theoretical directives. It remains to be seen whether this move will be enough to recover the 22 billion euros lost in the "electric fever".