Stellantis and Leapmotor move to deepen their global EV alliance

Stellantis and Leapmotor are preparing to take their fast‑growing partnership into a new phase, outlining a series of initiatives that would expand joint production, strengthen purchasing synergies, and accelerate the availability of more affordable electric vehicles across Europe and global markets.

The announcement builds on Stellantis’ 2023 acquisition of a 21% stake in Leapmotor and the creation of Leapmotor International (LPMI), a 51/49 joint venture responsible for manufacturing and selling Leapmotor vehicles outside Greater China. In less than three years, LPMI has launched the Leapmotor brand on five continents, established more than 850 sales and service points in Europe, and shipped over 40,000 vehicles across the region in 2025.

A major part of the proposed expansion centers on Stellantis’ Figueruelas plant in Zaragoza, Spain. The companies are evaluating the addition of a new production line that would build an all‑new Opel C‑SUV battery‑electric model, potentially starting in 2028. Leapmotor’s own C‑SUV B10 could join the line as early as 2026. The new Opel model would benefit from LPMI‑sourced components, a move intended to significantly improve affordability for European customers.

The partnership’s purchasing strategy is also set to deepen. Stellantis and Leapmotor plan to leverage their combined scale to reduce costs by tapping into the Chinese New Energy Vehicle supply ecosystem while reinforcing resilience through European supply chains. This dual‑sourcing approach aims to speed up development cycles and improve price competitiveness for future BEVs.

Another key element of the plan involves Stellantis’ Villaverde plant in Madrid. With production of the Citroën C4 scheduled to end, the companies are discussing allocating a new Leapmotor model to the facility from the first half of 2028. The proposal includes a potential transfer of plant ownership to LPMI’s Spanish subsidiary, with manufacturing aligned to upcoming Made‑in‑Europe requirements. Vehicles produced there would be sold across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa described the expanded partnership as a “win‑win,” emphasizing its role in supporting European EV production and delivering affordable electric vehicles tailored to real‑world customer needs. Leapmotor founder and CEO Zhu Jiangming highlighted the rapid global growth of the joint venture and the complementary strengths of both companies.

Both parties are currently conducting feasibility studies and pre‑development work. Any final agreement will depend on the completion of negotiations and regulatory approvals.

Stellantis electric‑vehicle owners across North America now have significantly expanded fast‑charging options, thanks to newly enabled access to more than 27,500 Tesla Supercharger locations. The move marks a major step in the company’s strategy to simplify public charging and strengthen its EV ecosystem. Beginning today, drivers of battery‑electric models from Dodge, Jeep, Ram, FIAT, and Maserati can plug into…

20 March 2026

LG Energy Solution will assume full ownership of NextStar Energy after acquiring Stellantis’ 49 per cent stake in the joint venture, the companies announced today. The move marks a significant realignment in North America’s fast‑expanding battery supply chain and reinforces Canada’s position as a strategic hub for electric‑vehicle and energy‑storage manufacturing. Founded in 2022 by LG Energy Solution and…

6 February 2026

Stellantis, in partnership with Saft (a TotalEnergies subsidiary), has unveiled a groundbreaking prototype vehicle featuring IBIS technology – a French-based collaborative research project aimed at developing a more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective energy storage and electric conversion system. With real-world road testing now underway, this milestone marks a major leap forward in advancing electrification…

23 September 2025

Leapmotor is making a powerful impression at the IAA Mobility 2025, held at Messe München and downtown Munich, with the World Premiere of the B05 and the commercial launch of the Leapmotor B10. Leapmotor B05 is a sport-looking C-hatch designed for the new generations of urban trendsetters. More than just a smart electric vehicle, the B05 is a zero-emission partner built around four core tenets, such as cutting-edge…

8 September 2025

The all-new, all-electric 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S Limited is now open for orders online with a starting U.S. MSRP of $66,995 (including $1,795 destination). It continues to offer a sleek design, aerodynamic efficiency, state-of-the-art technology, 4xe capability and impressive performance credentials. For everyday driving confidence, the Jeep Wagoneer S comes standard with the Jeep brand-exclusive Selec-Terrain…

6 February 2025

Stellantis and CATL today announced they have reached an agreement to invest up to €4.1 billion to form a joint venture that will build a large-scale European lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery plant in Zaragoza, Spain. Designed to be completely carbon neutral, the battery plant will be implemented in several phases and investment plans. Targeted to start production by end of 2026 at Stellantis’ Zaragoza, Spain…

10 December 2024

Stellantis N.V. and Zeta Energy Corp. announced a joint development agreement aimed at advancing battery cell technology for electric vehicle applications. The partnership aims to develop lithium-sulfur EV batteries with game-changing gravimetric energy density while achieving a volumetric energy density comparable to today’s lithium-ion technology. For customers, this means potentially a significantly lighter…

6 December 2024

Stellantis unveiled the STLA Frame platform, a BEV-native, multi-energy platform engineered for full-size body-on-frame pickup trucks and SUVs – a critical segment in North America and select global markets. The STLA Frame platform is designed to deliver class-leading range of up to 690 miles/1,100 km with the REEV and 500 miles/800 km in BEV, a maximum towing capacity of 14,000 pounds (6,350 kg) and a payload…

21 November 2024

Designated Stellantis brand vehicle dealers throughout Europe are now starting to take orders for the fully electric Leapmotor T03 city car and the Leapmotor C10 SUV. The T03, a 5-door A-segment compact car with 265 km of range (WLTP) and the interior space of a B-segment. T03 will be offered starting from 18,900 euros available now. The C10, a D-segment SUV with 420 km of range (WLTP) and best-in-class safety, an…

30 September 2024

Stellantis announced it will participate in the 90th edition of the Mondial de l’Auto / Paris Motor Show 2024 from October 14 – 20, 2024, spotlighting three iconic brands – Citroën, Peugeot, and Alfa Romeo – and, making its debut at the show, the Chinese brand, Leapmotor. Peugeot will present its 100% electric range, the widest of any European mainstream carmaker, and its commitment to technological innovation to…

26 September 2024

Leapmotor is a 51/49 Stellantis-led company between Stellantis and Leapmotor. It announced that it will expand its global EV sales to nine countries in Europe, starting in September. The companies are laying the groundwork for a successful introduction of the T03 and C10 first in the European markets and expanding to India & Asia Pacific (excluding Greater China), the Middle East & Africa, and South America starting…

14 May 2024

Stellantis North America unveiled the next drop for the all-electric Fiat 500e. Two new models join the (500e)RED edition: Fiat 500e Inspired By Beauty and Fiat 500e Inspired By Music. Each celebrates a pillar of both the FIAT brand and Italian culture. The 500e Inspired By models arrive in FIAT showrooms in North America starting in the third quarter of 2024. An idea derived from the unique color rose gold, the…

12 March 2024

А brief teaser video showcasing the interior of the all-new Peugeot E-5008 has been released. The newest class above large electric SUV gives a sneak peek of what awaits us soon. The new Peugeot E-5008 is equipped with the new Peugeot Panoramic i-Cockpit which takes driving pleasure to the next level. A floating and curved 21″ HD panoramic screen that combines the head-up display with the central touchscreen. The…

6 March 2024

Stellantis announced it intends to increase the production capacity of electric drive modules (EDMs) by adding production in Szentgotthard, Hungary, targeted to begin in late 2026. The €103 million investment in Szentgotthard, including grants and contributions from the Hungarian government, is the latest example of Stellantis’ commitment to transforming existing facilities for its electrified future. The Company…

13 February 2024