Stellantis To Produce Leapmotor Models In Spain

When Stellantis took a major stake in China’s Leapmotor back in 2023, many wondered how the company would integrate the brand into its global portfolio. Now we have the answer: Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa confirmed that Leapmotor vehicles will soon be rolling out of one of Stellantis’ Spanish plants.

This move is more than just a production decision—it’s a strategic way to keep Leapmotor competitive in the European market. Right now, Chinese-built EVs face steep tariffs in Europe, including a 10% import duty and an additional 20.7% levy. By assembling Leapmotor vehicles inside the EU, Stellantis can sidestep those penalties and keep prices attractive for budget-conscious buyers.

What Will Be Built in Spain? –

Filosa hasn’t announced which Spanish plant will get the nod, but all signs point to Zaragoza. That facility already has deep ties with Stellantis’ EV strategy, thanks to a €4.1 billion ($4.5 billion USD) joint venture with Chinese battery giant CATL. Together, they’re building a new factory dedicated to producing lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, with operations expected to kick off by late 2026.

Reports suggest the Leapmotor B10 compact electric SUV is the leading candidate for Spanish production. Originally slated for Poland, the B10’s launch plans were scrapped last year. Now, with orders already open and pricing starting at €29,900 ($32,000 USD), the timing makes sense for Stellantis to lock in a European production site.

Leapmotor’s Growing Lineup –

Leapmotor isn’t a household name in America, but in Europe and China it’s quickly making waves. The B10 is positioned as a budget-friendly compact SUV—cheaper than anything currently on sale from the big-name European automakers. That’s a big selling point in today’s EV market, where affordability is often the biggest roadblock for buyers.

But the B10 isn’t the only weapon in Leapmotor’s arsenal. At the Munich auto show earlier this year, the brand showed off its B05 full-electric hatchback, adding a fourth model to its European lineup. Alongside that, Leapmotor also sells the C10 midsize crossover (available as both a pure BEV and an extended-range EV), plus the entry-level T03 minicar.

So far this year, Leapmotor has sold over 10,700 vehicles in Europe—a huge leap from the 188 units it managed during the same period in 2024. The T03 has carried most of that load, but the C10 is beginning to build traction. With European production on the horizon, those numbers should climb fast.

Stellantis’ Bet Is Paying Off –

Back in 2023, Stellantis invested about €1.5 billion ($1.6 billion USD) to buy 20% of Leapmotor, while also taking a 51% share of Leapmotor International—the joint venture responsible for selling cars outside China. At the time, the move looked risky. But now, Leapmotor has scaled from about 5,000 units a month in China to over 50,000.

Filosa credited former Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares and current CFO Doug Ostermann for spearheading the deal, and he isn’t shy about calling it a win. “Today we celebrate the investment as a very good one,” Filosa said during the Kepler Cheuvreux financial conference last week.

Why It Matters for Europe –

For Stellantis, producing Leapmotor vehicles in Spain isn’t just about cutting tariffs. It’s about securing a foothold in the entry-level EV market—a space where European automakers have struggled to deliver affordable options. With a sub-€30,000 ($32,000 USD) SUV and a growing model range, Leapmotor could help Stellantis pull in new buyers who might otherwise have turned to rivals from BYD, MG, or Tesla.

If production does land in Zaragoza, it would strengthen Spain’s role as one of Stellantis’ most important hubs in Europe. The country already builds popular Peugeot, Citroën, and Opel models for the group. Adding Leapmotor would give the plant another edge in Stellantis’ global electrification push.

In short, this is a strategic power play. Stellantis isn’t just hedging against tariffs—it’s betting on Leapmotor to become a key volume player in Europe’s fast-changing EV market.

Source: Automotive News