BUSINESS

Stellantis, Leapmotor Get Closer With Expanded EV Partnership

Published: May. 11, 2026 1:43 p.m. GMT+8

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European auto giant Stellantis NV and Chinese electric-vehicle (EV) maker Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co. Ltd. plan to expand their partnership to include joint procurement and production lines.

The deepened tie-up highlights how the legacy automaker is leaning on Chinese technology to navigate a choppy EV transition, while providing the Chinese brand a localized footprint to dodge European tariffs and reduce logistics costs.

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Stellantis and Leapmotor expand partnership for joint procurement and Spanish production: Zaragoza line for Leapmotor model (2026) and Opel EV (2028); Madrid plant transfer for new Leapmotor model (mid-2028).
Benefits: Stellantis cuts R&D costs; Leapmotor avoids EU tariffs, lowers logistics, targets 60% overseas revenue.
Leapmotor: 596k deliveries, 540M yuan profit in 2025; >40k shipped in Europe by 2025 end. Stellantis: 5.5M sales, world's 5th carmaker.

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Who’s Who

Stellantis NV: Stellantis NV, world's fifth-largest carmaker (5.5M vehicles sold in 2025), is expanding ties with Leapmotor: joint procurement, new Zaragoza, Spain line for Opel EV (2028) and Leapmotor model (2026), possible Madrid plant transfer to JV. Holds 18.99% Leapmotor stake. Easing EV push for more hybrids.

Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co. Ltd.: Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co. Ltd., China's top NEV startup by 2025 sales (596,000 units), posted first annual profit of $79M. Partnering with Stellantis for joint procurement, production in Spain (Zaragoza 2026/2028, Madrid mid-2028). Leapmotor International shipped >40,000 EVs in Europe by end-2025; Feb registrations hit ~8,000 (+789% YoY). Targets 60% overseas revenue. Stellantis holds 18.99% stake.

Leapmotor International: Leapmotor International, the JV for Leapmotor's overseas manufacturing and sales, shipped over 40,000 vehicles in Europe by end-2025. Stellantis and Leapmotor plan to transfer a Madrid plant to its Spanish subsidiary for new model production by mid-2028, plus joint procurement for better competitiveness.

Jato Dynamics: Jato Dynamics reported that Leapmotor pure EV registrations in Europe reached nearly 8,000 units in February, up 789% year-on-year.

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