Established in 2020, Automotive Cells Company (ACC) is a joint venture that brings together the French battery maker Saft, the automotive group Stellantis and the luxury car manufacturer Mercedes. The partnership focuses on manufacturing prismatic lithium-ion cells that use NMC chemistry, a blend of nickel, manganese and cobalt that balances energy density and lifespan. Production takes place at the Gigafactory located in Billy-Berclau/Douvrin, near Lille in the north of France, where today around six hundred workers operate on a 5-day-by-8-hour shift system, keeping the plant alive seven days a week.
Current output and the first customers of ACC’s 97 kWh cells
To date, ACC has turned out five million individual cells, a volume that now powers nearly forty thousand electric vehicles on European roads. The 97 kWh prismatic cells are installed in the long-range variants of several Stellantis models, including the Peugeot e-3008 and e-5008 crossovers, the electric Jeep Compass, the Lancia Gamma, the DS N°7 and DS N°8, the Citroën ë-C5 Aircross and the Opel Grandland Electric. Each of these cars benefits from the high energy capacity, allowing extended driving ranges that match the expectations of modern consumers.
Beyond merely supplying single cells, ACC assembles them into complete modules. In September alone, the factory produced as many modules as it did throughout the entire year of 2025, highlighting a rapid ramp-up in both cell and module manufacturing. The company reports that scrap rates are continuously improving, nearing the internal targets set at the start of the project.
Scaling up for Mercedes: second production block and 2027 target
Looking ahead, ACC plans to bring a second production block online in 2027. This new line will add a capacity of 12.9 GWh substantially increasing the plant’s ability to meet the demands of luxury-brand electric vehicles. Once operational, the additional capacity will be dedicated to supplying Mercedes-Benz models, marking the first time the German automaker will receive cells from this particular European source.
Module expansion and expected impact
The upcoming block will not only raise the raw-cell output but also improve the throughput of module assembly. By integrating more automation and expanding the layout, ACC expects to shorten the time between cell production and final module integration, enabling faster delivery schedules for Mercedes engineering teams. This strategic move aligns with the broader European push for local battery supply chains, reducing reliance on Asian manufacturers.
Workforce, recruitment drive and European industrial significance
The plant’s human capital is a core component of its success. Recent recruitment campaigns, advertised through local agencies such as Lens Industrie Transport Logistique, target production operators, installation drivers and certified forklift operators (CACES 1B, 3 and 5). Positions are offered on long-term contracts, reinforcing the 5 × 8 work rhythm that keeps the Gigafactory productive every day of the week.
ACC’s scale places it among the very few European facilities capable of large-volume cell production without belonging to Asian groups like LG or CATL. Together with Volkswagen’s Salzgitter plant, it represents a tangible pillar of Europe’s ambition to build a self-sufficient electric-vehicle battery ecosystem. Accordingly, ACC has called on the European Union to expedite the Industrial Accelerator Act, a legislative package intended to give decisive support to “Made in Europe” technologies and help the continent meet its climate and industrial goals.
