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Stellantis Taps Leapmotor for European Market Entry, Signals Industry Shift

Stellantis is expanding its strategic partnership with Chinese automaker Leapmotor, clearing the way for production of a passenger vehicle for European sales by 2028. The companies will jointly develop an electric SUV under the Opel brand at Stellantis' manufacturing facility in Zaragoza, Spain. The arrangement strengthens Stellantis' European operations while allowing Leapmotor to establish continental production and circumvent EU tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. The partnership reflects a broader industry trend toward such collaborations. Ford is negotiating a European partnership with Geely, while Volkswagen has signaled openness to sharing underutilized European factories with Chinese competitors as part of cost-reduction initiatives. Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa emphasized Tuesday that such partnerships need not be limited to Chinese manufacturers, suggesting the automotive sector is undergoing significant structural realignment.