Chinese EV maker Leapmotor taps Stellantis’ Spanish plant for EU production

Leapmotor, one of China’s best-performing EV makers, is taking a major step toward building cars locally for European customers. It has agreed with shareholder Stellantis to add a production line at the Figueruelas plant in Zaragoza, Spain — a facility previously used for Opel. The line will produce Opel’s new fully electric C-sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and B10 models, with output expected to start as early as this year, according to a Friday statement from Stellantis. The Hangzhou-based company is 21% owned by Stellantis and already runs a joint venture, Leapmotor International, that leverages Stellantis’ global resources.

This announcement follows Leapmotor’s opening of an R&D hub in Munich two months ago to tailor models for international buyers. The move is strategic: it lets Leapmotor bypass EU tariffs on Chinese-made EVs while helping Stellantis utilize idle plant capacity. Independent analyst Gao Shen noted that Leapmotor’s rapid domestic growth and tie-up with Stellantis enable faster overseas expansion. Stellantis added that the partnership would make Opel-branded electric SUVs more affordable through improved supply chain efficiency.