Stellantis (STLAM) Stock Down 43% in 2026 — But Its Battery Bet Just Got Real

TLDR

• Stellantis holds a 9.5% stake in U.S. solid-state battery startup Factorial Energy, worth around $126 million
• The stake, held through Stellantis Europe and Stellantis Ventures, covers roughly 8.67 million shares
• Factorial’s cells showed energy density of 375 Wh/kg and charge from 15% to 80% in about 18 minutes
• Stellantis has integrated Factorial’s FEST cells into a development Dodge Charger Daytona and begun road testing
• STLAM stock is down nearly 43% since the start of 2026, falling 3.7% recently alongside BMW’s profit warning

Stellantis has disclosed a 9.5% stake in Factorial Energy through an SEC filing, with the holding valued at around $126 million at current prices. The investment is split between Stellantis Europe and Stellantis Ventures.

Stellantis N.V., STLA

Stellantis first put money into Factorial back in 2021 with a €75 million ($86 million) deal. That investment has since been converted into an equity holding, giving the automaker a meaningful seat at the table.

Jon Nelson, CEO of Stellantis Financial Services, has been elected to Factorial’s board, adding an operational dimension to what started as a financial bet.

The filing also noted that Stellantis may buy further stakes in Factorial down the line, describing the startup as an “attractive investment opportunity.”

Factorial recently kicked off road testing of its solid-state cells using an experimental Dodge Charger Daytona. It marks the first time the batteries have been put through real-world conditions rather than just lab environments.

In laboratory tests, Factorial’s cells delivered an energy density of 375 Wh/kg. They also charged from 15% to 80% in roughly 18 minutes — numbers that, if replicated at scale, would represent a meaningful step up from current lithium-ion technology.

Solid-state batteries are lighter than conventional lithium-ion packs and promise better range, faster charging, improved safety, and potentially lower long-term costs. The catch has always been scaling production, something the industry has yet to crack.

Why Stellantis Is Leaning In

For Stellantis, the Factorial relationship is part of a broader push to secure its position in the EV technology race. Solid-state is widely seen as the next major battery leap, and early partnerships could matter a lot when the technology matures.

The automaker’s strategy here is less about owning the technology outright and more about having skin in the game with a company already showing strong lab results and now moving to real-world validation.

Stock Under Pressure

While the Factorial news gives investors something to think about on the technology side, Stellantis stock has had a rough 2026. STLAM is down nearly 43% since January 1.

The most recent slip came earlier this week, when the stock fell 3.7%. That drop came alongside a profit warning from BMW, which dragged the broader European auto sector lower.

Stellantis has been navigating a tough environment across its key markets, and the BMW warning added to existing pressure on the sector.

The SEC filing, which formalizes the Factorial stake, was published on June 19, 2026.

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