Stellantis and Leapmotor strengthen partnership: new electric SUVs for Europe

A new strategic phase to conquer the European EV market

History will record that October 2023 marked a decisive turning point for the Stellantis galaxy. At that time, the group led by Carlos Tavares announced a strategic 21% stake in the capital of Chinese manufacturer Leapmotor. This operation was not limited to a simple financial investment, as it gave birth to a unique joint venture: Leapmotor International (LPMI). Owned 51% by Stellantis, this entity holds exclusive rights for the marketing and production of Leapmotor models outside mainland China. The initial goal was clear: to leverage Chinese technological agility to accelerate the group's global electric offensive.

Less than three years after these first agreements, the results are exceeding initial expectations. The operational success of the joint venture has allowed for lightning-fast expansion, with over 850 sales and service points already open in Europe. In 2025, more than 40,000 vehicles were shipped to the Old Continent, driven by the launch of the T03 and C10 models. Buoyed by this momentum, Stellantis does not intend to stop there. Today, the group is announcing the start of a major second stage in its collaboration with Leapmotor, aiming to anchor this alliance more deeply within the European industrial landscape.

A strategic plan between rumors and industrial reality

For several weeks, the automotive world has been buzzing with speculation regarding the future of Stellantis' European production sites. Persistent rumors suggested the group's intention to sell several historic factories outright to its Chinese partner, Leapmotor. These rumors, fueled by the challenges of the energy transition and the pressure on production costs in Europe, hinted at a massive industrial withdrawal.

In this climate of uncertainty, Stellantis chose to clarify its roadmap, just days before the official presentation of its strategic plan scheduled for May 21, 2026. The reality of this second stage of collaboration is, for now, less radical than the most alarmist rumors predicted, yet still extremely bold. Instead of a simple sale, Stellantis is opting for an unprecedented industrial hybridization. The group has just confirmed its intention to strengthen its existing sites by integrating production lines dedicated to Leapmotor products, creating a direct synergy between the two entities within European infrastructure itself. This strategy allows Stellantis to maximize the utilization rate of its plants while maintaining control over its industrial assets.

Spain at the heart of the strategy: Zaragoza and Villaverde on the front line

The strengthening of the partnership between Stellantis and Leapmotor finds its most concrete expression in Spain, a pillar of European automotive production for the group. The Zaragoza site (Figueruelas), the historic home of the Opel brand where more than 10 million Corsas have been produced since 1982, is set for a major transformation. Stellantis is studying the addition of a new production line for a brand-new electric Opel C-SUV. This vehicle will not be alone: it will share its industrial environment with the Leapmotor B10 model, with production potentially starting as early as 2026. This unique duo illustrates the desire to have the group's historic brands coexist with new Chinese technologies.

Further south, the Villaverde plant in Madrid is also preparing for a profound change. This site, which currently produces the Citroën C4, is seeing its future shaped by global electric mobility. The partnership extension includes the allocation of new Leapmotor vehicles to this factory, with a schedule set for the first half of 2028. This date coincides with the scheduled end of production for the current Citroën C4. A potential transfer of ownership of the plant to LPMI's Spanish subsidiary is even being studied, which would constitute a strong symbolic first. These future models would comply with strict "Made in Europe" requirements, ensuring barrier-free access to European markets, as well as the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region.

Purchasing synergies and competitiveness: a global tech alliance

Beyond the purely industrial aspect, this second phase of collaboration tackles a crucial lever of profitability: procurement. By leveraging the combined power of Stellantis and Leapmotor, the LPMI joint venture aims to optimize its cost structure. The idea is simple but formidable: take advantage of the highly competitive New Energy Vehicle ecosystem in China while mobilizing the resilience of the European supply chain. This model would allow future group vehicles, such as Opel's next electric C-SUV, to benefit from components derived from Leapmotor's expertise, drastically reducing sales prices for end customers.

Antonio Filosa, CEO of Stellantis, highlighted the importance of this vision: "This project to expand our partnership with Leapmotor – a trusted partner and one of the most dynamic and respected new energy vehicle manufacturers globally – is a true win-win initiative. It should support production and promote the localization in Europe of top-tier electric vehicle manufacturing at an affordable price to meet customers' practical expectations. This announcement reflects our desire to strengthen this partnership and take a new step towards even more fruitful collaborations in the future."

For his part, Zhu Jiangming, founder and CEO of Leapmotor, agreed: "Leapmotor's cutting-edge technologies, combined with Stellantis' global presence, regional roots, and brand strength, make this partnership a particularly powerful alliance. Our Leapmotor International joint venture has quickly demonstrated its benefits for both partners and, in less than three years, has allowed us to establish our brand on five continents and significantly increase our international presence and awareness."

Conclusion: a partnership redefining industry boundaries

In summary, the partnership between Stellantis and Leapmotor is strengthening significantly in 2026, marking an impressive acceleration less than three years after the initial investment. This operational success validates Carlos Tavares' strategy of not just facing Chinese competition, but integrating it as a growth lever. With this operation, Stellantis aims to maximize the use of its European factories, particularly in Spain, while taking advantage of the low development costs and technological velocity of Leapmotor. As feasibility studies continue, the direction is clear: the future of the European electric car will involve hybrid alliances, capable of marrying the Old Continent's historic industrial expertise with agile innovation from Asia.