Stellantis To Use Mopar Distribution Hub in Rivalta for Leapmotor EV Parts

In a strategic move to bolster its market position in the European automotive sector, Stellantis has announced that starting in July, the Mopar Distribution Hub in Rivalta, near Turin, Italy, will begin storing and distributing spare parts for Leapmotor electric vehicles (EVs). This development marks a significant step in the joint venture between Stellantis and the Chinese electric vehicle startup, Leapmotor.

Mopar Distribution Hub: A Strategic Asset –

The Mopar Distribution Hub in Rivalta, once a Fiat plant, has been a cornerstone in Stellantis’ Mopar brand’s global parts distribution network. Serving the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, as well as other world markets, this facility has been instrumental in ensuring the seamless availability of Mopar brand accessories, components, and spare parts. Now, it will play a crucial role in supporting Stellantis’ latest venture with Leapmotor.

Leapmotor: Cheap Chinese EVs Look to Boost European Sales – 

Leapmotor has gained considerable traction in the past couple of years. By the end of 2023, It had sold over 144,000 new units, 99,500 of which were full-electric. This impressive performance highlights Leapmotor’s growing influence in the busy Chinese EV sector and its potential to disrupt the European market.

The joint venture between Stellantis and Leapmotor is poised to bring competitively priced Chinese EVs to Europe. Due to ongoing government emissions regulations, this market has been increasingly pushed to embrace electric mobility.

For Leapmotor, the joint venture facilitates entry into the European market, leveraging Stellantis’ established distribution and service network. This partnership ensures that Leapmotor can provide comprehensive support to its customers, from sales to after-sales service, thereby boosting its brand presence in Europe.

Stellantis Competing Against Itself?

While the collaboration offers several advantages for both Stellantis and Leapmotor, it also has several drawbacks. For example, one of the vehicles Stellantis and Leapmotor will bring to market is the all-electric T03 city car, which will compete directly with Stellantis’ Fiat 500e. The T03 looks to undercut the 500e in price.

While the Fiat 500e has been one of the best-selling EVs in certain parts of the European market, it has suffered sluggish sales due to high costs and low government incentives in certain countries. This has caused a halt in production at the car’s assembly plant in Italy and forced Fiat to go back to the drawing board. Fiat has announced that the automaker will put a hybrid powertrain in the Fiat 500e, creating the Fiat 500 Ibrida, due out late in 2025 or early 2026.

Stellantis will sell Leapmotor EVs at its current Alfa Romeo, Fiat, and Jeep® dealers in select European markets.

Source: Nova.News