The Next Opel EV Could be Developed by Stellantis’ Chinese Partner, Leapmotor

• Stellantis and Leapmotor have been in talks for a while about sharing the development of new electric models.

• The next Opel EV could be based on the Leapmotor B10 and be built in Spain.

• There are also rumours of an Alfa Romeo EV based on Leapmotor technologies.

Stellantis and its Chinese partner, Leapmotor, have been in talks over various projects lately, including manufacturing electric vehicles in Canada.

The latest of these talks reportedly involve an Opel-branded EV for sale in Europe.

Indeed, sources told Reuters that Stellantis is looking to Leapmotor to jointly develop a new EV for its German brand, which would use Chinese technology and be built in Spain, at the Zaragoza plant.

As has become clear over the last few years, Chinese automakers are broadly more advanced in terms of electric powertrains and modern automotive technologies than their European and American counterparts, notably with longer ranges, faster charging times, and more affordable batteries.

Working with its Chinese partner could thus give Stellantis access to competitive technologies and powertrains quickly and without incurring massive development costs.

In addition, utilizing existing European production capacity should shield the automaker from tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China, while also making its existing manufacturing infrastructure more profitable.

Furthermore, this would leave the automaker with more resources to dedicate to a new generation of hybrid vehicles without having to completely abandon electric propulsion.

Selling its own Chinese-derived EVs would also help Stellantis compete with other Chinese electric models, notably from BYD, which are proving quite popular in Europe.

While few details are known about this possible Opel EV with Chinese origins, it is expected to be based on the Leapmotor B10 compact SUV, which is itself expected to be manufactured in Spain starting this year.

A related Opel EV would only arrive in 2028, with a targeted output of about 50,000 units per year, according to people familiar with the matter.

If the proposed agreement goes through, Leapmotor would be in charge of the vehicle’s development while Opel would be in charge of the exterior design.

Interestingly, Opel might not be the only one of Stellantis’ brands to benefit from a Chinese-developed EV, as there are talks that Alfa Romeo could also make a similar arrangement.

From what we know so far, this potential electric Alfa Romeo would share the same architecture as the Leapmotor B10 and Opel EV, and it would be manufactured alongside them in Spain.

Other talks between Stellantis and Leapmotor pertain to smaller subcompact cars that would be manufactured in another facility, as well as assembly of Chinese EVs in the automaker’s idled Brampton, Ontario factory.

Source: Automotive News Europe / Reuters