Stellantis has started weekend shifts at its Kragujevac automotive plant in June, as production expansion for the Fiat Grande Panda programme in Serbia accelerates. The company said the step follows months of recruitment, workforce expansion and production ramp-up. The stated aim is to meet European demand for hybrid and electric versions of the model.
Union representatives said the new work organisation includes dedicated weekend shifts for approximately 800 workers. Operations are scheduled primarily through 12-hour shifts on Saturday and Sunday. They added that the arrangement is intended to increase output without relying on extensive overtime used in previous months.
The same representatives said the weekend schedule is expected to gradually replace overtime previously carried out by employees on second and third shifts. The change is linked to a broader expansion of manufacturing capacity at the plant. It comes after a period in which production was adjusted during the earlier stages of the programme.
Workforce and production targets for Grande Panda
The decision reflects an improvement in the operational position of the Kragujevac factory, according to industry reporting. After a challenging launch phase in 2025, production of the Fiat Grande Panda has stabilised. Stellantis is now pursuing higher output targets tied to demand for the model’s hybrid and electric variants.
Industry reports indicate that Stellantis aims to raise annual production toward 150,000 vehicles. This would compare with current annualised production estimates of approximately 120,000 vehicles. Meeting the target is described as requiring both workforce expansion and additional production cycles beyond the traditional weekday schedule.
The plant’s role within Stellantis’ European manufacturing network has also increased, with export volumes forming a major share of output. More than 90% of vehicles produced in Kragujevac are destined for export markets, primarily across the European Union. Demand reported from Italy, France and Germany has exceeded current production capacity, according to the same reporting.
Export markets and implications for Serbia’s automotive sector
For Serbia’s automotive sector, the expansion has broader economic implications tied to employment and industrial activity. The plant has developed into one of the country’s largest industrial exporters and employers. Employment has risen from roughly 1,000 workers less than two years ago to around 3,000 employees.
The increase is supported by additional production shifts and recruitment campaigns targeting both domestic and foreign labour. As output grows, component manufacturers, logistics providers, packaging companies and industrial service providers linked to the Stellantis ecosystem are expected to benefit from higher vehicle volumes. Supplier utilisation rates and regional industrial activity are described as likely to rise accordingly.
Regional positioning for electric and hybrid manufacturing
Serbia has been seeking to position itself as a competitive manufacturing base for electric and hybrid vehicles, combining lower production costs with proximity to major European markets. The ability of the Kragujevac plant to sustain three-shift production and add weekend operations is cited as part of that positioning. The reporting also notes potential capacity to accommodate additional vehicle programmes.
From an investor perspective, union representatives said weekend shifts indicate a transition from a factory recovery phase into a capacity expansion phase at . They said management is attempting to capture growing market demand through higher utilisation of existing assets rather than focusing only on stabilisation. The move is described as reinforcing the strategic role of the Serbian operation within Stellantis’ broader European manufacturing footprint.
