Stellantis franchisees have accused the car manufacturer of trying to “force the market” with pre-registrations despite an inability to deliver on customers’ new vehicle orders.

The OEM giant behind Abarth, Citroen, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Peugeot and Vauxhall has risked friction with retailers and customers alike by demanding early registration of, and up-front payments for, vehicles that might not be delivered for months.

For the OEM’s customers it could mean paying up to three-months’ worth of finance payments up front – or the risk of losing a long-awaiting new car – while retailers have reported their bonuses threatened for non-compliance with the measures.

One Stellantis franchisee told AM: “If Stellantis were just able to let people know when their cars would come then the issue might be lessened, but most are being left in the dark.

“The truth is that Stellantis is trying to force the market in order to get registrations at a time when it cannot deliver cars.