Experts have told GB News that Vauxhall owner Stellantis is wrong to reinvest in diesel cars, as the manufacturer turns its back on electric vehicle sales.
Stellantis has quietly reintroduced diesel vehicles into its European lineup as it reverses course from its electric vehicle plans across its many brands.
A spokesperson for Stellantis told Reuters that it would keep diesel engines in its product portfolio, and even "increase our powertrain offer" in some cases.
It added that it wanted to "generate growth" and "focus on customer demand", as experts criticised the decision to bring back more polluting engines at a time when the industry is moving towards zero emissions.
Stellantis controls Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, RAM, and Vauxhall.
A handful of diesel models are already available on the European market, including passenger vans, the Peugeot 308 and DS N°4.
Speaking to GB News, Dan Caesar, CEO of EverythingElectric, said: "On almost every growth metric, battery EVs are gaining share globally. Diesel is in structural decline.
"Some carmakers, particularly those exposed to the US market, are swinging like a pendulum with each passing headline, lacking clear conviction or long-term strategy.
Experts have criticised Vauxhall owner Stellantis for reintroducing diesel to its lineup
|GETTY
"Stellantis appears to be one of them, with a senior executive claiming there is 'no natural demand' for EVs despite substantial evidence to the contrary."
Mr Caesar noted that companies basing their strategies on "noise rather than data" is unlikely to work well, with electric vehicles being the clear "direction of travel".
It comes just a few weeks after a "reset" of its strategy alongside a massive €22.2billion (£19.2billion) writedown of its previous plans, many of which were related to electric vehicles.
It confirmed that it would continue to focus on a range of powertrains, including electric cars, hybrids and "advanced" internal combustion engine vehicles.
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Stellantis has already started selling some diesel vehicles on the European market
|REUTERS
A new strategic plan from the Dutch-based brand will be launched on Thursday, May 21, at its Investor Day in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
Stellantis was the second-largest manufacturer in the EU30 market in 2025, with more than 2.4 million registrations and a 16 per cent market share.
Despite the reintegration of diesel vehicles, the company appears to remain committed to its goal of having electric vehicles make up 100 per cent of European and 50 per cent of sales by the end of the decade.
The manufacturing giant remains one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Electric Car Grant, with more than 20 vehicles eligible for a discount.
The Citroen e-C5 Aircross Long Range is eligible for the £3,750 Electric Car Grant incentive
| STELLANTISThe Citroen e-C5 Aircross Long Range qualifies for the £3,750 discount through Labour's Electric Car Grant.
Other models are included in the £1,500 discount, including:
- Citroen e-C3
- Citroen e-C3 Aircross
- Citroen e-C3 Urban Range
- Citroen e-C4
- Citroen e-C4 X
- Citroen e-C5 Aircross
- Citroen e-Berlingo
- Citroen e-SpaceTourer
- DS DS3
- DS N°4
- Peugeot E-208
- Peugeot E-2008
- Peugeot E-308
- Peugeot E-408
- Peugeot E-Rifter
- Peugeot E-Traveller
- Vauxhall Astra Electric
- Vauxhall Combo Life Electric
- Vauxhall Corsa Electric
- Vauxhall Frontera Electric
- Vauxhall Grandland Electric
- Vauxhall Mokka Electric
- Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric