Stellantis considers integrating Leapmotors Chinese partner technology into the next Opel electric SUV

Opel’s next 100% electric SUV could borrow many components from the Leapmotor B10, with production in Spain being considered for both models. Alfa Romeo could also benefit from this technical base to expand its range.

Stellantis is in advanced discussions with Leapmotor to jointly develop an electric car under the Opel brand, incorporating technology from its Chinese partner and intended to be produced in the Stellantis plant in Saragossa, Spain, according to three sources cited by Reuters. If finalized, the project will help Stellantis reduce costs and development time for the new model at a time when the Franco-Italian-American automaker is looking to expand beyond pure electric technology, for which it has scaled back its overall ambitions.

This strategic “reset” was accompanied by exceptional charges of approximately 22.2 billion euros. Stellantis stated that there were “regular contacts” between the two partners on ways to expand their collaboration, without providing further details. Leapmotor, on the other hand, responded that they were in discussions with partners, including Stellantis, only to supply components developed by themselves and not to cooperate on vehicle architectures. The company declined to comment on other details regarding the future Opel car that would be produced in Saragossa.

Such cooperation would help Stellantis counter the competition from new Chinese brands in Europe, such as BYD, and improve the utilization rate of European plants. These issues will be at the core of the new long-term strategic plan that Antonio Filosa, the group’s CEO since last June, will present on May 21. Stellantis partnered with Leapmotor after acquiring about 20% of the Chinese group in 2023 as part of a restructuring of its strategy in China. They also hold a joint venture, “Leapmotor International,” tasked with selling and producing Leapmotor cars outside of China.

A Close Relative of the Leapmotor B10?

According to two sources, the new Opel model would share architectural elements with the compact SUV B10 from the Chinese group, which itself is set to be produced in Saragossa by the end of the year for the European market. Production of the Opel model is envisaged to start from 2028 with an annual production target of 50,000 vehicles, the sources added.

Under the discussed project, Leapmotor would provide electronic and electrical technologies and components, while the exterior design would still be handled by Opel, one source clarified. According to the source, a significant portion of the vehicle development will take place in China. Discussions between Stellantis and Leapmotor on the Opel project, codenamed “O3U,” began in late 2025 and could lead to an agreement as early as this month, the source added.

Last month, Leapmotor expressed expectations for mass production of its vehicles in Spain starting in October, mentioning that some projects with Stellantis were in “advanced negotiation phases.” According to a third source, Stellantis is considering using electric technologies from Leapmotor for the next generation of its compact SUV Mokka, currently assembled at the French plant in Poissy (Yvelines) but potentially shifting to Spain on this occasion.

Alfa Romeo Also in the Mix

Opel accounted for over 20% of Stellantis’s sales in Europe last year, its main market. In terms of countries, Germany is the top market for the German brand acquired in 2017 by the former PSA from General Motors, whose merger with FCA gave rise to Stellantis. The group has also started preliminary discussions with Leapmotor on the potential development of an Alfa Romeo model using the same architecture at the Saragossa plant to optimize site utilization, one source revealed.

Despite massive provisions for overestimating the electric boom, battery-powered models remain at the heart of the group’s strategy, particularly in Europe. The Opel electric SUV project is just one of the most advanced topics under discussion between the two groups, as also reported by Bloomberg. Stellantis and Leapmotor have also discussed the idea of adding smaller models on a platform from the Chinese group, but these would require the creation of a separate production line in Saragossa, another source specified.